Inauguration Day Performances

This year’s Presidential Inauguration is obviously going to look different due to Covid-19 protocols.  Trying to keep some of the same traditions as years past has been a focus for this year.  With limited options, the ceremonies will look different but will incorporate some normal parts.

Keeping with tradition, the national anthem will kick off the event.  Kamala Harris will then be sworn in some time around 11:30 a.m.  Biden will then be sworn in at 12 p.m. on the West Front of the Capitol.  There will not be the traditional inaugural balls nor will there be the usual parade (Sprunt).

Though the ceremonies will have a limited attendance and will rely mainly on virtual components, there will be a decent amount of celebrities involved as well.  To begin with, Sarah Fuller, the first female kicker to play in, as well as score in a Power 5 college football game, will be involved during Kamala Harris’s swearing-in.  It appears that she has a prerecorded message that will be played (Thanel).  

There will be a live event Wednesday evening.  “”Celebrating America,’ a 90-minute live special, will air the evening of President-elect Biden’s inauguration, and will feature remarks from Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, as well as tributes to COVID-19 first responders” (USAToday).  Actor Tom Hanks is set to host the event (USAToday).

Plenty of other celebrities are also set to participate in the live event.  Rock legends Jon Bon Jovi and, arguably the biggest band in the world, Foo Fighters will play.  Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, Bruce Springsteen, Ant Clemons, and John Legend will also be a part of the evening’s performances (USAToday).  

Garth Brooks, Country Music Hall-of-Famer and one of the most successful musicians of all time will also be included.  This, however, is very much in line with tradition.  Since Jimmy Carter (but excluding Ronald Reagan), Brooks will have performed for every president (Leimkuehler).

Leimkuehler, Matthew. “Garth Brooks to Perform at Joe Biden’s Inauguration: ‘This Is a Statement of Unity’.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 18 Jan. 2021, http://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/01/18/inauguration-day-garth-brooks-tapped-performance/4204970001/.

Sprunt, Barbara. “Biden’s Inauguration Is Going To Look Very Different. Here’s What To Know.” NPR, NPR, 18 Jan. 2021, http://www.npr.org/sections/biden-transition-updates/2021/01/18/957802213/bidens-inauguration-is-going-to-look-very-different-heres-what-to-know.

Thamel, Pete. “Vanderbilt’s Sarah Fuller to Take Part in Joe Biden’s Presidential Inauguration.” Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo!, 17 Jan. 2021, sports.yahoo.com/vanderbilts-sarah-fuller-to-take-part-in-presidential-inauguration-192424387.html.

Yasharoff, Hannah, and Sara M Moniuszko. “Joe Biden’s Inauguration: Which Celebrities Are Performing, Where and How to Watch.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 18 Jan. 2021, http://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/01/13/joe-biden-inauguration-celebrities-performing/6652717002/.