Musician Pink, her daughter Willow Sage Hart (2nd from left) and guitarist Justin Derrico (right) participate in a stage test in preparation for the final day of the Democratic National Convention.

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The chicks

The Chicks — formerly known as The Dixie Chicks — sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The Chicks were once one of the biggest names in country music, as the band’s breakthrough albums – Large open spaces and 1999 Fly —each achieved the coveted diamond status from the Recording Industry Association of America, denoting sales of over 10 million copies.

Then, in 2003, during the run-up to the US war with Iraq, singer Natalie Maines told a crowd in London that the band was against both the war and then-President George W. Bush.

“We don’t want this war, this violence,” Maines said at a Chicks concert, adding, “and we’re ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas.”

The moment sparked a backlash against The Chicks in the US, particularly on many country radio stations where the group had once made the most popular playlists.

In 2020, they performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention.

And once again their performance had considerable cultural weight: in recent weeks, “Not Ready to Make Nice” taken over by conservative TikTok influencerswho used the song to voice their opposition to Kamala Harris’ candidacy.

Pink

Pink took the stage for a stirring, near-note-perfect rendition of her 2017 protest anthem “What About Us.” Accompanied by a guitarist and four backup singers, including her 13-year-old daughter Willow Sage Hart, Pink kept thematically on point as the group sang the song’s refrain — “What about us? / What about all the times you said you had the answers?” — in unison.

The Pack Drumline

The Pack Drumline from Chicago performed, with one drummer even playing upside down.

But no Beyoncé or Taylor Swift

In the run-up to the final night of the DNC, rumors of major unannounced musical guests were rife. Given that Wednesday’s performances included Stevie Wonder and John Legend, audience expectations were sky-high.

The chicks And Pink brought a lot of star power of their own. But they weren’t accompanied by Beyoncé or Taylor Swiftas a great deal of breathtaking speculation on social media predicted, but could never quite confirm.

Instead, the special, previously unannounced guest was…nobody. The evening’s headliner, Vice President Harris, had the spotlight to himself — which may have been the intention all along.

➡️ These are the artists who performed on the third night of the Democratic National Convention
➡️ These are the people who performed (and got kicked out) on the first night of the DNC

➡️ These are the artists who performed on the second night of the DNC