Justin Vernon Strikes a Chord at Harris and Walz Rally in Eau Claire

On August 7, 2024, Justin Vernon, the frontman of the indie folk band Bon Iver, performed a heartfelt acoustic version of “The Battle Cry of Freedom” during a campaign rally for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Vernon shared with the crowd that he wanted to wrap up his performance with a patriotic tune that had been on his mind recently. Sporting a camouflage Harris and Walz hat, he expressed his love for the melody and the audience, saying, “We’re here for the right reasons, and we all know what we’re here for, so we’re gonna do our thing. Make this music and make way for the people that we need to hear from.”

Harris has been inviting various musical guests to her rallies, and Vernon’s performance added a special touch to the event. Previously, another singer made waves by delivering a unique rendition of “God Bless the U.S.A.” at a fundraiser, showcasing the lively atmosphere that surrounds these campaign events.

At last month’s rally in Atlanta, Harris welcomed popular artists like Megan Thee Stallion and Quavo. Quavo, who has been vocal about gun safety, praised Harris, saying, “One thing I learned from working with Vice President Harris is she always stands on business.”

During his performance at the Eau Claire rally, Vernon not only played the guitar but also captivated the audience with his emotional vocals. The lyrics rang out as he sang, “Yes we’ll rally round the flag, we’ll rally once again/Shouting the battle cry of freedom.” His performance was met with cheers and applause, reinforcing the concert-like atmosphere of the rally.

As Vernon played, Harris and Walz were seen engaging with the crowd, including some kids who came out for the event, despite political messages flying overhead from a plane that was tagged with “Trump-Vance.” This rally marked a significant kickoff for Harris and Walz after the announcement that Walz would be her running mate.