It was a music-packed first night at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, with Jason Isbell, Mickey Guyton and James Taylor all performing at Chicago’s United Center in support of presidential hopeful Kamala Harris.
Isbell and Guyton both made their DNC debuts on Monday night (Aug. 19), while Taylor was playing his fifth straight convention in support of the Democratic Party. In an interview with CNN ahead of Monday’s performance, Guyton explained the importance of supporting Harris in her bid for the presidency. “For me, this is beyond a genre of music,” the country singer reflected. “This is about humanity. This is about the culture. This is about our country and I feel honored to be able to witness history.”
Watch the trio of performances below (we will add Taylor’s performance video once it’s live):
Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell performs on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Six-time Grammy-winning Americana singer/songwriter Jason Isbell took the stage to perform “Something More Than Free,” which is the title track from his 2015 album. The poignant song speaks to the working man’s dilemma of toiling so hard for an unclear reward. “My back is numb, my hands are freezing/ What I’m working for is something more than free.”
Mickey Guyton
Grammy-nominated country artist Mickey Guyton played her song “All American,” which she co-wrote with Victoria Banks for her 2021 album Remember Her Name. The unifying chorus was a perfect fit for the DNC: “Ain’t we all, ain’t we all all American?”
James Taylor
James Taylor rehearses during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
James Taylor is set to finish the night with his 1971 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “You’ve Got a Friend” (his lone chart-topper), marking his fifth consecutive DNC performance.