Military band plays pop-rock covers at Freedom 250 July 4 show

musicJul 5, 2026373,592

A Joint Services military band performed pop-rock covers during the Freedom 250 July 4 fireworks and flyovers on the National Mall, presenting songs such as Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4," Journey's "Don't Stop Believin," Prince's "Let’s Go Crazy," and YMCA. Commenters noted the visual and cultural clash of mostly white military vocalists delivering material by Prince, Earth Wind & Fire, and Stevie Wonder while supporters of the event danced along. Several posts praised the musicianship, calling the bands "top tier," while others called the arrangements schmaltzy and questioned whether artists or estates had authorized use of their work. Observers also criticized the timing and production, citing a late-night show past 11 p.m. and an overblown fireworks display, and one post invoked licensing organizations such as ASCAP as potential sources of permission. Many writers framed the moment as awkward for the service musicians, who were described as performing under duress and in humid conditions. The episode has prompted discussion about the appropriateness of pop repertoire at a state-organized celebration and possible friction with artists or their estates over rights and association with the event.

Ragnarok Lobster

@eclecticbrotha1.bsky.social

I know I'm not the only one stifling a giggle while this military band covers "YMCA", a song about gay sex. And then they started playing "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince. I know damn well his estate didn't okay this.

286711h ago

Ragnarok Lobster73

Totally butchered the guitar solo.

Aeirould52

There really was a far more apt Village People song for the NAVY band to sing. It’s on the tip of my tongue.

ViolaPlayer2643

As Minnesotan, I object on the Purple One’s behalf.

Captain Sidecar39

It will never not be funny to me, that US fascism adopted, apparently unironically, YMCA as one of its main anthems.

Jill38

Before YMCA was Living on a Prayer. My hubs said "that's fits... and young couple struggling with affordability in Trump's America". Meanwhile, Belinda Carlisle sang God Bless America in front of the Statue of Liberty.

Vivian30

He spent his entire life fighting the establishment and breaking rules, and his estate is notoriously fiercely protective of his work. A military band blasting Let's Go Crazy at a state event is pure irony.

Quoting this

Dr. Damien P. Williams has to go the way his blood beats527

God I hope Prince's estate sues every single Trump underling who made this happen.

SoMoteItBe💙🧹🌚⚾🔮☮️⚛️🏳️‍🌈3

I hope Prince's estate sues the shit out of them

Laurie Asseo

@fifteenmoons.bsky.social

The fireworks are a big incoherent mess. And it’s downright embarrassing that they’ve got exclusively white artists singing Earth, Wind & Fire, Prince and Stevie Wonder. The otherwise excellent military bands have a thankless job during Trump’s administration —having to please that taste-free oaf.

9011h ago

Laurie Asseo2

From what I saw on TV, Nashville was the place to be for America’s 250th.

Luke Russert

@lukerussert.bsky.social

Culture writers will do it better than me but it’s absolutely hilarious that Trump got a military band to sing dive bar band covers and then did a Vegas fireworks show on July 5th to celebrate America 250.

603h ago

Steve Kiviat

@dcsuburbanite.bsky.social

Jon Bon Jovi has not approved the use of “Living on a Prayer “ for Trump rallies but tonight @ the Washington dc fireworks after Trump spoke the military band is doing a schmaltzy version of that , & schmaltzy versions of other songs . Watching this version of Prince & the maga folks dance is cringe

5711h ago

Steve Kiviat3

Omg a version of Toby Keith ‘s questionable “Courtesy of the Red , White & Blue” into Stevie Wonder “Signed , Sealed Delivered.”

skyriders12

Well he is a thief. That's what he does.

Joe Jackson1

Hi there, former DC military bandsman (who worked licensing issues in addition to performing). Licensing for live performing & broadcast covers by military bands is within the Fair Use exemption & does not require permission. Far, FAR different than playing & broadcasting recordings. (1/2)

MeidasLaurieK

@lovepeacegratitude.bsky.social

Also, at the 250 yr trump celebration, they also played Signed, Sealed, Delivered!!By military band, not Stevie Wonder. Also, Let's Go Crazy, by Prince. And, Journey. + others!! I wonder if they got permission? Wow. The nerve. Both celebrations showed people having fun. That part is good, but 🤮 47.

379h ago

bsdtectr

@bsdtectr.bsky.social

It is wild seeing this military band with the whitest singers possible belting out Prince and Earth, Wind & Fire as M A G A chuds sing and dance along.

5011h ago

e_lana

@e-lana.bsky.social

Oh the military band is “covering” Prince after trumps speech? To bluesky I go.

4811h ago

Zeddy

@zeddary.bsky.social

Prince? Man if this was Trump I we'd already have a terrible resist lib alt account for the US military band

5011h ago

Matt Cameron

@mattcameron.bsky.social

A quick guide to playing CCR's "Fortunate Son" on July 4th 2026: 1) change "millionaire's son" to "billionaire's son" 2) change "military son" to "President's son" 3) set your band up on a float and join your nearest Trump-hating town's parade

3622h ago

Andy Vitek

@avitek.bsky.social

Plus, and the average person would be forgiven for not knowing this, the official US military bands/orchestras are super legit and have a reputation for having top tier musicians going back decades. Watching them have to play karaoke night tracks from the dive bar with the sticky floors is rough.

3311h ago

Vivian

@mimorinsama.bsky.social

3010h ago

Ryan Nobles

@ryanobles.bsky.social

The most impressive thing tonight at the 250 celebration on the National Mall has been the military band. They have been legit bringing it with incredible cover songs throughout the entire fireworks.

1911h ago

Your Auntie Grizelda1

All those lily-white vocalists, though... and many of those covers were either "I can't believe they're doing this one" or "oh, REALLY, they're doing THIS one?" This is what happens when no one but the cultists will participate. (Also: Little to no coordination between the fireworks and music.)

Jon Green

@modestholdings.com

Having the military band belt out "25 or 6 to Four" is actually the only thing about this professionally produced. No shit, good job whoever is responsible.

2411h ago

Jon Green10

Three songs with three women leading the vocals and now... YMCA

Ben Killoy1

The band and singers are all great. They got forced into accidentally giving these great servicemen/women a cool ass concert.

Lily

@diogobailke.bsky.social

Watching a straight-laced military band playing YMCA—the ultimate underground gay anthem—with absolute seriousness creates the most hilarious cultural dissonance imaginable.

179h ago

Melissa Citro

@citronmelisse.bsky.social

The fireworks are a big ugly mess and most of the musicians being covered here (by a talented military band under duress) will hate that their music was used for this tacky crapfest.

1311h ago

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Military band plays pop-rock covers at Freedom 250 July 4 show

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