"Harris is the guest appearance" — Internet reacts to Bon Iver performing at Kamala Harris' rally in their hometown

American indie-folk band Bon Iver performed at the presidential campaign rally of Kamala Harris at Eau Claire in Wisconsin on August 7. Frontman and founder Justin Vernon was present to show his support for the Democratic nominee and her running mate, Tim Walz.

“We are here for the right reasons. We all know what we are here for, so we are gonna do our thing, make this music, and make way for the people we need to hear from,” Vernon said after taking the stage.

Subsequently, Bon Iver performed a mellow rendition of the patriotic song The Battle Cry of Freedom. Images and videos from the performance at the rally have now garnered severe traction online, earning varied reactions from netizens.

For instance, X user @IRAtheGhostARI shared a picture from the rally and said that it was a country music festival featuring the band rather than a political rally.

Many others joined the conversation on the platform and had similar reactions. Some even trolled the current Vice President, saying people only attended her campaign rally as it was a “free concert.”

“This is the *REAL* reason for Kamala's ‘huge’ crowd in Wisconsin today. Just like we all thought: Billboard #1 charting band Bon Iver with Justin Vernon is performing at this rally. It also happens to be the band's hometown. So, now you know,” a person wrote.

“The real reason for Kamala's ‘huge’ crowd in Wisconsin is just like her ‘huge’ crowd in Atlanta. The Harris team brought in Billboard #1 charting band Bon Iver with Justin Vernon to perform at the rally. The left can’t win! So, instead, they lie,” another person wrote.

“It's so obvious to anyone with a common sense. Free concert with a local popular band. No brainer,” a netizen asked.

Meanwhile, several social media users expressed their amazement at the rally’s turnout and added that it would upset Kamala Harris’ Republican opponent, Donald Trump.

“Donald is in bigly trouble with all the empty seats at his rallies,” an individual wrote.

“Trump’s not gonna be happy about the crowd size,” another individual wrote.”

"This was a Harris-Walz campaign rally in Wisconsin today. Sending my deepest thoughts and prayers to the Trump team," a user wrote.

"Donald is in trouble," another user wrote.

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Exploring the events at the Kamala Harris’ Wisconsin rally featuring Bon Iver

On Wednesday, August 7, the Democratic Party held a campaign rally for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in Wisconsin, which local band Bon Iver attended.

They began their performance by singing the Civil War-era song Rally ‘Round the Flag (alternatively called The Battle Cry of Freedom), composed by George Frederick Root in 1862. At the time, it became an anthem for unionism and the abolition of slavery.

Lead singer and songwriter Justin Vernon shared with the crowd how the “nice, old, patriotic song” had been “rolling around in my head these last months” before playing its cover on his electric guitar.

“Yes we’ll rally round the flag, we’ll rally once again/ Shouting the battle cry of freedom/ We will rally from the hillside, we’ll gather from the plain/ Shouting the battle cry of freedom!” the crowd sang along with Vernon while donning Harris-Walz signature trucker caps.

The band, which also performed their popular songs Towers, 666t, and Flume, wrapped up by sharing their love for the crowd in Vernon’s hometown of Eau Claire, where he formed the band in 2006.

Ahead of their performance, Bon Iver shared on their official X page how it was time to “rally around the right candidate for President,” someone who would “fight for women’s and trans rights, and govern with dignity and respect.”

Notably, the rally was Kamala Harris’ first campaign rally along with Tim Walz, following her Tuesday announcement that the Minnesota Governor would be her running mate in the upcoming presidential election. During her speech, Harris highlighted that she and Walz shared a similar “middle-class” upbringing, which she claimed shaped their lives and careers.