Bootleg Betty Watch The Full ‘Rise Up, Sing Out’ Concert Here! By CSpan June 14, 2026
“Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment” was a 90-minute benefit event held on Sunday, June 14, 2026 (Flag Day), at The Town Hall in New York City. It was organized by the Committee for the First Amendment (led by Jane Fonda) as an evening of music, speeches, solidarity, and activism celebrating freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and protest.
The concert was livestreamed for free (with watch parties across the country), and portions or the full event were covered by outlets like C-SPAN. It served in part as counter-programming to other major events that day, emphasizing resistance to perceived threats against democratic rights. All proceeds supported the Committee’s work.
Key Performers and Participants
The starry lineup included: Jane Fonda (host/organizer, appearances/speeches) Bette Midler Patti Smith – People Have The Power Rufus Wainwright – Over The Rainbow Sasha Allen – A Change Is Gonna Come Joy Reid Appearances by Julia Roberts, Lily Gladstone, Wilson Cruz, Peppermint, Broadway Inspirational Voices, and others (with more added in waves).
It blended performances, spoken-word elements, and calls to action in a rousing, defiant format.
Bette Midler’s Involvement
Bette Midler was one of the standout musical performers. She sang “All You Fascists Bound to Lose” (a Woody Guthrie-inspired protest song), with her daughter Sophie von Haselberg contributing as a background vocalist. This energetic, politically charged number fit the concert’s theme of pushing back against authoritarianism and defending free speech.
Midler, a longtime activist and performer known for her powerful voice and stage presence, brought star power and emotional weight to the lineup alongside icons like Patti Smith. Reviews and social media clips from the night noted her performance as a highlight, aligning with the event’s mix of music and messaging.
Overall, the concert was framed as a celebratory yet urgent defense of constitutional rights through art and community. It drew significant pre-event buzz from celebrities (e.g., Mark Ruffalo promoting it) and was positioned as a cultural pushback in a polarized time.
