Why Bernie Sanders Made a Surprise Appearance at Noah Kahan's Concert (No, It's Not Political!)

Bernie Sanders made a surprise appearance at Noah Kahan’s latest concert — but it wasn’t to raise campaign funds.

On Thursday, Sept. 19, the senior senator, 83, stopped by the “Stick Season” singer’s benefit concert in Vermont — where Kahan is from and where Sanders has been a politician for decades.

Videos taken by concertgoers show Sanders appearing on stage 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 the three hour speech, right?” Sanders joked. “Look, I’m very happy tonight because I have the honor of introducing not only one of Vermont’s great artists, songwriters, singers, but actually someone who is world famous.”

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“Noah left his mark in countries around the world, but he didn’t forget where he came from – Strafford, Vermont!” the senator continued to cheer the hometown crowd.

Sanders also took time to talk about Kahan’s charity, the Busyhead Project (though he accidentally called it the “Busybody” Project in his introduction), a nonprofit founded by the singer that provides resources to Vermonters struggling with their mental health.

Local CBS affiliate WCAX reported that the benefit concert was completely sold out, and state Governor Phil Scott also called the day of the performance “Noah Kahan’s Busyhead Project Day” in Vermont.

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“What I really appreciate about Noah is not only his artistic ability, but his understanding that there are a lot of people in our state and across the country who are in need. He developed a program, as many of you know, and a portion of the proceeds from tonight will go into that program,” Sanders said. “And it deals with a very serious issue of mental health for children in rural areas.”

“Noah has also been very supportive of the communities in Vermont that have been hit hard by the terrible flooding we’ve experienced,” he concluded. “So we’ve got a guy with a big heart, we’ve got a guy with tremendous talent.”

Kahan performs during the 2023 Austin City Limits festival in Texas.

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This isn’t the first time Sanders has paid tribute to Kahan — whose TikTok hit “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 on his official YouTube page, as well as a press release in which he wrote about Kahan’s contributions to the country as a musician.

“What makes Noah’s success especially interesting is that ‘Stick Season’ is about his life here at home. Noah calls the album a nuanced love letter to our state, New England, and growing up and living in small, rural towns,” Sanders wrote at the time .

“The conclusion is that music is extremely important for bringing people together,” the senator added. “And Noah’s music does just that, while also capturing and telling part of Vermont’s unique story.”

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Source: HIS Education