Momentum in the 2024 US presidential campaign has fundamentally shifted in recent weeks, and music has played its part in this remarkable transformation. The Harris-Walz campaign is using particular kinds of music to help communicate its optimistic message of hope, inclusion and a brighter future for America.
At The Democratic National Convention (DNC), Kamala Harris stepped onto the podium to deliver her nomination acceptance speech accompanied by her campaign soundtrack, the Beyoncé anthem “Freedom”. Tim Walz walked on stage to the sound of John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” (he grew up in a Nebraska town of 400 people). He walked off to Neil Young’s “Keep on Rockin’ in The Free World”.
In addition to performances from stars like Stevie Wonder, John Legend and Pink, the DNC turned the delegate roll call into a dance party with DJ Cassidy blasting out state-themed songs and rapper Lil Jon singing live at the convention. Normally a rather staid process, this roll-call managed to become one of the most exciting moments of the convention.
