It’s the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago where Vice President Kamala Harris will accept her party’s presidential nomination before the campaign versus former President Donald Trump begins in earnest.
Democratic delegates are excited about Harris’ nomination at the United Center Thursday, but there’s as much buzz about who will be performing before she comes on stage.
A full schedule released around 5 p.m. didn’t have all the details of the night but pop singer Pink is expected to perform. She was seen practicing during a sound check earlier Thursday. The country group The Chicks are scheduled to perform the national anthem. But there’s also been increased speculation that megastar singer Beyoncé will make a surprise appearance.
On social media earlier Thursday, White House political director Emmy Ruiz posted an emoji of a bee, which is a mascot for the “Beyhive.” Ruiz later wrote, “Sorry guys my 6 year old took my phone.”
Harris secured the rights to use Beyoncé’s 2016 song “Freedom” as a campaign theme song. Her music label issued a cease and desist letter to Trump’s campaign for using the song in a social media post.
Also earlier Thursday, the band inside the United Center appeared to be teasing listeners by performing a Beyoncé song, and others could hear music from Taylor Swift, who also has been the subject of speculation she would appear before Harris accepts the presidential nomination.
On Wednesday, country folk singer Maren Morris performed as well as legend Stevie Wonder. Before Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accepted the party’s vice presidential nomination, John Legend and Sheila E. performed Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy.”
The theme of the final night at the DNC is “For Our Future.”