The 60th Presidential Inauguration was always going to be a massive production, but if you actually watched it, you know it wasn't exactly the polished, Hollywood-style gala some expected. Honestly, it was a bit of a rollercoaster. Between the freezing D.C. wind and some seriously awkward technical glitches, the performers at the inauguration had their work cut out for them.
Forget the press releases. The real story was about who showed up, who didn't, and that one moment with Carrie Underwood that everyone is still arguing about on TikTok.
The A Cappella Moment Everyone's Talking About
Let’s get straight to the "big one." Carrie Underwood was scheduled to sing "America the Beautiful" right before the big oath. It was supposed to be this soaring, orchestral moment with the Armed Forces Chorus.
Then the audio died.
There was this painful, five-second silence that felt like five years. You could see the confusion on the faces of the dignitaries behind her. But Carrie? She's a pro. She basically just shrugged, looked at the crowd, and said, "If you know the words, help me out." She sang the whole thing a cappella. No backing track. No band. Just her voice echoing across the National Mall.
📖 Related: Is It Worth It to Watch My Isekai Life Right Now?
Some people called it a disaster. Others said it was the most "human" moment of the whole day. Whatever you think of the politics, singing like that in 20-degree weather without a monitor is a nightmare for any vocalist.
The "Old School" Lineup and Surprising Cameos
If you looked at the guest list for the official ceremony and the subsequent balls, it felt a lot like a Nashville family reunion mixed with some 70s disco and early 2000s rap.
Christopher Macchio, the opera singer who has become a staple at these events, handled the National Anthem. He’s got that massive, booming tenor that fits the Capitol steps perfectly. Then you had Lee Greenwood, because you can't really have a Republican inauguration without "God Bless the USA." It’s basically the law at this point.
The Ball Lineups
- The Liberty Ball: This was the wild one. You had the Village People doing "Y.M.C.A." (which has somehow become a MAGA anthem) followed by Jason Aldean. Then Nelly showed up. Yeah, Hot in Herre Nelly.
- The Commander-in-Chief Ball: This one stayed a bit more traditional, featuring Rascal Flatts and Parker McCollum. It was geared toward the military, so the vibe was a lot more reserved and respectful.
- The Starlight Ball: Gavin DeGraw took the stage here. It was the high-donor event, so it was a bit more "cocktail attire and soft rock."
Why the Performers at the Inauguration Faced So Much Heat
Choosing to perform at an inauguration in 2025 isn't just a gig; it's a massive PR risk. We saw this play out in real-time.
👉 See also: Hostiles: Why This Brutal Western is Finally Getting the Credit It Deserves
Nelly, for instance, got hammered on social media. People were digging up old tweets and questioning why a rapper from St. Louis was playing a GOP ball. He basically told reporters that it’s an honor to play for the Office of the President, regardless of who's sitting in the chair. It's a classic "bridge-builder" defense, but it didn't stop the "canceled" hashtags from trending for three days.
Even the Village People had to release a statement. Victor Willis, the lead singer, was pretty blunt about it. He basically said the country is divided and music is the only thing that might actually bring people together for five minutes.
The "Discovery" List: Who Else Was There?
While the performers at the inauguration took the stage, the crowd was a "who's who" of the new tech elite and various media personalities. It wasn't the usual "A-List Hollywood" crowd you’d see at a Democratic inauguration, but it was arguably more powerful in terms of net worth.
Elon Musk was front and center, obviously. But you also had Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg sitting remarkably close to each other. On the entertainment side, you had the Paul brothers—Logan and Jake—chatting with people like Theo Von and Joe Rogan. It felt less like a government function and more like a massive podcast convention at times.
👉 See also: Why The Cold Light of Day Still Matters to Henry Cavill Fans
What This Tells Us About the Future of Political Events
The 2025 lineup proved that the "celebrity boycott" of the past is starting to crack, but it’s being replaced by a very specific type of performer. We’re moving away from the era of "everyone in entertainment must agree" and into an era where artists are choosing sides more openly—or just deciding they don't care about the backlash anymore.
If you're looking for the "mainstream" pop stars, you won't find them here. But if you look at the streaming numbers for Jason Aldean or Kid Rock after the event, they spiked. There’s a massive audience that wants this, and the performers know it.
Your Next Steps for Staying Informed
If you're curious about how these performances actually impacted the artists, keep an eye on the Billboard 200 over the next two weeks. Historically, inauguration performers see a 15-20% bump in catalog sales, but with the 2025 "cancel culture" climate, it might be more of a "red state/blue state" split in the numbers.
Check the official FEC filings if you're really nerdy; they eventually list the payouts for these performances. You'd be surprised how much (or how little) some of these stars get paid for what is essentially a high-stakes, 10-minute set in the freezing cold.
Compare the 2025 setlist to the 2017 or 2021 versions. You’ll see a massive shift in how the different parties view "American culture."