Bernie Sanders made a surprise appearance at Noah Kahan’s most recent concert — but it wasn’t to raise any campaign funds.
On Thursday, Sept. 19, the senior senator, 83, stopped by the “Stick Season” singer’s benfit concert that took place in Vermont — where Kahan is originally from and where Sanders has been a politician for decades.
Videos taken by concertgoers showed that Sanders appeared onstage at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds in Essex Junction to introduce the singer, 27, and thank him for his contributions to Vermont’s cultural scene.
“I know you all came to hear a three hour speech, right?” Sanders joked. “Look, I am a very lucky guy tonight because I have the honor of introducing not only one of the great artists, songwriters, singers in Vermont, but actually somebody who is world renowned.”
Bernie Sanders in Washington D.C. in April 2024.
Andrew Harnik/Getty
“Noah has made his mark in countries throughout the world, but he hasn’t forgotten where he came from — Strafford, Vermont!” the senator continued to cheers from the hometown crowd.
Sanders also took time to speak about Kahan’s charity, the Busyhead Project(although he accidentally called it the “Busybody” Project in his introduction), which is a nonprofit founded by the singer that provides resources to Vermont residents struggling with their mental health.
Local CBS affiliate WCAX reported that benefit concert was completely sold-out, and the state’s Gov. Phil Scott also dubbed the day of the performance “Noah Kahan’s Busyhead Project Day” in Vermont.
“What I really appreciate about Noah is not only his artistic ability but his understanding that a lot of people in our state and around the country who are in need. He developed a program, as many of you know, and some of the proceeds from tonight are gonna go into that program,” Sanders said. “And it deals with a very serious issue of mental health for kids in rural areas.”
“Noah has also been very supportive of the communities in Vermont that have been hard hit by the terrible floods that we have experienced,” he concluded. “So we have a guy with a big heart, we have a guy with huge talent.”
Kahan performs during the 2023 Austin City Limits festival in Texas.
Erika Goldring/FilmMagic
This isn’t the first time Sanders has honored Kahan — whose TikTok-famous song “Stick Season” even references his home state in the lyrics — as a respected Vermonter. In January 2023, the senator shared an interview with the singer to his official YouTube page as well as a press release, where he wrote about Kahan’s contributions to the state as a musician.
“What makes Noah’s success particularly interesting is that ‘Stick Season’ is about his life right here at home. Noah calls the album a nuanced love letter to our state, to New England, and to growing up and living in small, rural towns,” Sanders wrote at the time.
“Bottom line is music is extraordinarily important in bringing people together,” the senator added. “And Noah’s music is doing that, while also capturing and telling some of Vermont’s unique story as well.”
