He’s never changed his message.

He didn’t go disco in the late seventies.

He didn’t feature a rapper during the break of his comeback single.

He just stayed the same and waited for the public to catch up with him.

Or as Carly Simon sang, he’s coming back ’round again.

This desert appearance is not equivalent to RuPaul insulting Milton Berle at the VMAs, nor Pee-wee Herman opening said show. But in terms of cultural statement…

It eclipses the performance of Lady Gaga and the other headliners at Coachella. Because Bernie is doing more than the performers, he’s resonating with people’s brains, which lead to their emotions and…

Maybe you disagree. My inbox is full of people defending Trump and his tariffs, never mind the rest of his actions. However, the best story I read in the past twenty four hours compares the U.S. to England in the wake of Brexit:

“How Brexit, a Startling Act of Economic Self-Harm, Foreshadowed Trump’s Tariffs – Britain’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016 was sold to voters as a magic bullet that would revitalize the country’s economy. Its impact is still reverberating.”

Free link: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/13/world/europe/how-brexit-a-startling-act-of-economic-self-harm-foreshadowed-trumps-tariffs.html?unlocked_article_code=1._U4.OG0V.F0imE8rc18eU&smid=url-share

Read it and weep. Then again, people are still defending Brexit, despite its deleterious effects. All those musicians… The EU has still not loosened travel rules. And it was the less advantaged who voted for Brexit just like the same voted for Trump, and they’re the ones who are being hurt.

In a world of disparate interests, Coachella triumphs by being a smorgasbord of acts/entertainment. You can see it all in one place. Assuming it’s worth seeing.

Of course there are headliners who refuse to play the festival because they can now make more playing stadiums themselves. This reflects America, where the rich get richer and the poor pay attention to delusional scams believing they’ll save them.

But we all want someone to believe in.

It’s hard to follow the Trump news now… Sure, he’s flooding the zone, but there’s whiplash. Today one thing, tomorrow another. It’s overwhelming and disillusioning. You don’t want to detach, but you’re numb.

And then along comes Bernie.

His gathering of 36,000 in Los Angeles was more impressive than last weekend’s protests, if for no other reason than there was a clear message, never mind a clear leader. The oligarchs are ruling, and no one can defend them unless they’re an oligarch themselves. This crosses all political lines, from bro to trans. We feel we have no control. And we certainly can’t trust our leaders.

Furthermore, the Democrats have been denigrating Bernie for eons. Because he doesn’t play nice with others. Isn’t that what a hit musical act does? Innovate and stay on message? With people flocking to them instead of being dunned to pay attention/donate money?

And who are the acts in bed with? They say they love their fans, but truly they love their corporate sponsors and the business people who help them pull the wool over the eyes of the public.

I mean who’s a bigger rock star? Bernie or Chappell Roan?

Bernie sells his message sans artifice. He doesn’t don outfits, he doesn’t need explosions and production and you can’t look at him and laugh, like you can with the wannabe metal acts with tattoos and piercings who are about as dangerous as a doughnut.

Not that Paul Tollett will let any politician take the stage at Coachella.

You want one that captures the zeitgeist, that makes news.

Once again, you cannot reach everybody these days, it’s impossible. But like a rock act Bernie Sanders is on tour. And he’s going into the red states, the enemy camp.

He’s a hero for our era.

Because he’s got credibility, a message.

He gives us hope. That truth can triumph, that the little guy can win.

And he never gives up.

This is my biggest takeaway from the desert festival. It’s big news that’s everywhere. Because Bernie Sanders is a bigger star than anybody who’ll take the stage at Coachella.

His appearance makes me feel good. That the little guy has a chance.

And I’m not the only one who feels this way.

I can’t predict the future, I can’t predict the ultimate effect of Bernie’s campaign, but at least he’s standing up and doing something, unlike the somnambulant doofuses leading the Democrats.

Makes me feel optimistic.

And we haven’t had that spirit here since…