In a jaw-dropping act of defiance, indie rockers Guster teamed up with the cast of “Rise Up, Love Loud,” a groundbreaking LGBTQ+ musical abruptly canceled last week after Trump-aligned trustees took control of the Kennedy Center’s board. The surprise performance—staged outside the venue’s gates—drew thousands, turning a quiet D.C. night into a roaring protest for artistic freedom.
Insiders reveal the musical, praised for its queer-led storytelling, was axed days before its premiere when new board members tied to Trump’s 2024 campaign called it “too divisive.” But instead of backing down, the crew secretly partnered with Guster, whose 2000s hit “Satellite” became an anthem for the movement. “We couldn’t stay silent,” said Guster frontman Ryan Miller, grinning mid-set. “Art doesn’t have political parties—it has heart.”
The crowd erupted as the musical’s cast belted power ballads like “Unbreakable Us,” flanked by rainbow flags and signs reading “CANCEL HATE, NOT ART.” Attendees described tears, chants, and a viral moment when drag performer Mariah Luna shouted, “You can’t veto joy!”
Trump’s team fired back, calling the event “a stunt,” but supporters flooded social media with clips tagged #DefendTheArts, racking up 10M views overnight. Even lawmakers chimed in, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeting, “This is how we rise.”
Rumors now swirl that “Rise Up, Love Loud” could reboot off-Broadway. “The show will go on,” vowed director Kayla Nguyen. “Hate just gave us a bigger stage.”