Sheryl Crow Headlines ACLU Benefit Concert in Brooklyn.

13 hours ago7 min read2 comments

The hallowed, industrial-chic space of Brooklyn's Pioneer Works was transformed last night into a sanctuary of sound and solidarity, as Sheryl Crow headlined the ACLU's Creatives For Freedom benefit, a concert that felt less like a simple fundraiser and more like a profound statement of artistic unity. Crow, the quintessential 90s rock icon whose voice has provided the soundtrack to decades of American life, was joined by a staggering lineup of modern musical luminaries including the genre-bending St.Vincent, the folk-pop sensation Maggie Rogers, and the production wizard Mark Ronson, creating a generational bridge built on shared principle. The evening’s emotional crescendo, meticulously arranged and directed by the virtuosic Rob Moose and Cody Fitzgerald, was a sprawling, string-laden collective rendition of Crow’s 1996 anthem, 'If It Makes You Happy.' Watching Crow share the microphone with this diverse cohort—from the art-rock precision of St. Vincent to the raw, earnest energy of Joy Oladokun—was to witness a song shed its skin, its classic-rock radio familiarity reborn as a potent, contemporary hymn for civil liberties.The performance wasn't just a nostalgic trip; it was a recalibration, a reminder that the song's central question about the complex pursuit of joy is intrinsically linked to the freedoms the ACLU has fought for over a century. This event sits within a rich tradition of artist activism, from the Farm Aid concerts to the modern-day efforts of organizations like HeadCount, demonstrating that when the cultural vanguard mobilizes, it does so not with protest signs alone, but with the visceral, connective power of melody and harmony.The choice of Pioneer Works, a beacon of Brooklyn's avant-garde scene, as the venue was itself a message: the defense of constitutional rights is not a niche political issue but the very bedrock upon which creative expression and cultural innovation are allowed to flourish. In an era of escalating political division, this gathering was a masterclass in harmony both musical and ideological, proving that the most resonant calls to action are often sung in unison.

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#Sheryl Crow

#ACLU benefit

#live performance

#music festival

#Brooklyn

#charity concert

#St. Vincent

#Maggie Rogers