April 12, 2025 — Grand Park, Los Angeles. What began as a grassroots political rally ended as one of the most powerful moments in protest music history. As thousands packed the park to support progressive causes and demand action against corporate greed, two of folk rock’s most enduring voices took the stage — and changed the tone of the entire event.
Neil Young, long known for his unflinching criticism of political corruption, opened his set with “Rainbow of Colors,” setting the tone for unity and defiance. But the defining moment came when Joan Baez, the voice of the 1960s resistance, walked onstage beside him. What followed was not just a duet — it was a statement.
Their version of “Rockin’ in the Free World” wasn’t a nostalgic performance. It was sharpened, urgent, retooled with new lyrics that rang out over the massive crowd: “Take America back!” The song’s original fire was now aimed at 21st-century oligarchs, climate injustice, and the rising tide of political disillusionment.
Baez’s clear soprano cut through the night air as she chanted “Power to the people!” and Neil answered with every line, his guitar growling behind her. The crowd erupted — not just in applause, but in recognition. This wasn’t just music. It was resistance.
The event, tied to a broader rally organized by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, drew over 36,000 people. It blended live music, political urgency, and intergenerational solidarity. Younger performers like Maggie Rogers shared the stage, but it was Young and Baez who anchored the evening in historical weight.
