The Chicks and Pink Perform at the Democratic National Convention

The Chicks, formerly known as The Dixie Chicks, and musician Pink showcased their talents during the final night of the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago.

The Chicks performed the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The band previously achieved significant success in the country music genre, with their albums “Wide Open Spaces” and “Fly” attaining diamond status. In 2003, during a concert in London, lead singer Natalie Maines spoke out against the U.S. war in Iraq and expressed shame over then-President George W. Bush‘s Texas roots, leading to a backlash against the group.

Their performance at this year’s convention served as a continuation of their political engagement, as they previously performed during the 2020 Democratic National Convention. The current performance was anticipated to hold cultural significance, especially given recent sociopolitical discussions surrounding their music.

Pink also took the stage at the convention, delivering a powerful rendition of her anthem “What About Us.” Accompanied by her daughter, Willow Sage Hart, and guitarist Justin Derrico, Pink emphasized the song’s message by encouraging a unified chorus from her backing singers.

In the lead-up to the event, speculation regarding surprise musical guests circulated on social media. However, the evening’s main focus remained on Vice President Kamala Harris, who was the headliner, suggesting a deliberate choice to center the spotlight on her remarks.

The Chicks’ appearance continues a trend of prominent country musicians participating in political events, following others like Mickey Guyton and Maren Morris earlier in the convention.

The Chicks officially changed their name over four years ago in response to the social movements following the death of George Floyd. Their decision to drop the term “Dixie” aimed to distance the band from associations with racism and to reflect a growing cultural awareness.