Indie rock duo The Black Keys performed a gig referred to as “America Loves Crypto” in 2024—regardless of the band not showing publicly supportive of cryptocurrency or NFTs. Patrick Carney advised Rolling Stone that this solely occurred as a result of they have been tight for cash.
The occasion was one in all a sequence of free occasions held in swing states within the run as much as the U.S. presidential election, hosted by crypto advocacy group Stand With Crypto. Whereas music performed by artists like The Chainsmokers, Large Sean, and Black Pumas helped pull in crowds, the true purpose of the occasions was to affect the result of the 2024 election to be able to see extra pro-crypto candidates voted into workplace.
The Black Keys performing on the gig was notably shocking on the time, as they didn’t seem like publicly pro-crypto—poking enjoyable at NFTs whereas selling their newest album. So, why did they play the gig?
“It was quite simple,” Patrick Carney advised Rolling Stone. “We had misplaced all of our earnings for the yr. We had retainers for those who we have been working with. We bought supplied some huge cash to play a present, and we noticed that the Black Pumas had performed the identical occasion and we have been like, ‘E book it.’ It’s that easy, bro.”
When pressed in the event that they contemplate themselves crypto fans, Carney jokingly responded that they’re followers of cooking model Crisco.
Initially launched by Coinbase, Stand With Crypto launched a slate of political endorsements because the 2024 election loomed. The group introduced assist of 39 Home and Senate candidates, in a 20 to 19 cut up between Republicans and Democrats. Nonetheless, some The Black Keys followers weren’t thrilled with which candidates have been endorsed by Stand With Crypto—one Redditor saying the group endorsed the “worst candidates from each events.”
“In fact we noticed all of the shit coming in,” Carney mentioned. “We have been advised it was a bipartisan factor. It was what it’s. It was very small. It was in our hometown, so we bought to go house and see our people. I’ve positively seen my identify in unhealthy gentle within the press earlier than, so it wasn’t something fucking new.”
If us taking part in a live performance for 300 folks goes to sway the entire state’s vote,” he completed, “then we now have larger fucking issues, bro.”
Edited by Stacy Elliott.
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