The Strokes headline Queens concert as AOC and Bernie Sanders join political rally

The Strokes performed at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens on Oct. 5, 2026, before an estimated 40,000 fans, with Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders joining the stage.

Ocasio‑Cortez praised the band, declaring that the greatest city in the world was welcoming a generation‑defining rock group committed to a better future, and echoed the Strokes’ own calls to fight fascism, raise wages, and guarantee health care for everyone.

Sanders followed, joking about singing a few songs before thanking the band for “standing up for economic justice” and “fighting racism,” while emphasizing health care as a human right. He urged the audience to vote and to “stand up to authoritarianism” in the upcoming November elections.

Actor Mike Myers was among the audience, posting Instagram photos in a black T‑shirt bearing the slogan “FIGHT FASCISM” and a red raised fist, adding fire‑emoji graphics and the hashtags #voteinnovember and #fightfascism.

The Strokes’ set came after opening acts Beach House, TV on the Radio, and the group listed as Fcukers, and featured a live edition of frontman Julian Casablancas’ podcast “S.O.S. Earth Is a Mess,” which focuses on climate‑change issues.

The concert’s location in one of the city’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods underscored the event’s message of inclusivity, while the band’s history of political engagement—such as their performance at a Bernie Sanders rally during the 2020 Democratic primary—reinforced the synergy between their music and progressive activism.

Organizers noted that the event will continue to serve as a platform for artists and politicians to address social‑justice themes, with future concerts planned to highlight additional community and environmental causes.