The Chicks will perform the National Anthem on Thursday for the last night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Newsweek can confirm that the country trio, previously known as The Dixie Chicks, will take the stage at the United Center where Vice President Kamala Harris will make her history-making speech.
A representative for The Chicks told Newsweek that the band has no comment at this time.
Pink will be among the performers taking the stage as the final night closes out.
Thursday's theme is centered on the "For Our Future" element, where the party is set to highlight how the Harris-Walz plans to lead the nation forward.
The final night of the DNC convention will be hosted by Kerry Washington, known for her role in Scandal alongside Tony Goldwyn who hosted the DNC earlier in the week. An Emmy winner, Washington has been a vocal advocate for the Democratic Party, supporting Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign and speaking at the DNC in both 2012 and 2020. She also hosted the virtual DNC in 2020.
Who are The Chicks?
The Chicks have long been recognized not only for their musical talent but also for their outspoken political views. Their journey from country music darlings to controversial figures in the public eye began in 2003, during a concert in London.
On the eve of the Iraq War, lead singer Natalie Maines made a comment that would spark a nationwide backlash: "Just so you know, we're on the good side with y'all. We do not want this war, this violence. And we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas."
Given that the band had a largely conservative fan base, many of whom were supportive of President Bush and the impending war, this comment was extremely controversial.
The reaction was swift and intense. Country radio stations across the United States pulled The Chicks' songs from their playlists and some even organized events where fans were encouraged to destroy their CDs. The band faced boycotts, death threats, and public denunciations. The controversy took a toll on their careers, as they were ostracized by much of the country music community.
Despite the backlash, The Chicks did not back down. Instead, they leaned into their dissenting stance, releasing the song Not Ready to Make Nice in 2006, which directly addressed the controversy. The song and its accompanying album, Taking the Long Way, won multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, signaling a comeback and an embrace of their new image as unrepentant dissidents.
The group's name change from Dixie Chicks to The Chicks in 2020 further cemented their commitment to addressing social and political issues. The change was a response to the national reckoning with racial injustice following the murder of George Floyd, with "Dixie" being a term associated with the Confederate South and its history of slavery. The Chicks' decision to drop the term was seen as a bold statement, aligning with the broader movement to confront and reject symbols of America's racist past.
The Chicks' presence at the DNC represents a full-circle moment in their career—a blend of patriotism, protest, and the power of standing firm in one's beliefs. Their journey, marked by both accolades and adversity, mirrors the ongoing cultural and political shifts in the United States.
How to watch DNC
Viewers can watch the event both on television and through streaming platforms from home.
Network and cable channels including ABC, CBS, CNN, C-SPAN, Fox, NBC, MSNBC, PBS, Spectrum News and more will all broadcast coverage of the events. The conventions run all day, but TV coverage mainly highlights the primetime speeches and earlier events, with commentary from anchors and analysts in between.
In addition to TV streamers like Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV, streaming platforms such as Paramount Plus, Peacock, and Max, as well as news channels and publication websites, will broadcast the events.
Additionally, several live streams are available on YouTube and X, including those from official DNC channels.
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