In the '90s, a new breed of rock stars organized for abortion rights. Could that happen today?
LOS ANGELES — This past June, across the Atlantic, over 200,000 fans descended upon the pastoral English village of Pilton, Somerset, for this year's Glastonbury Festival. Yet for many in attendance, particularly for U.S. citizens, the weekend's music was overshadowed by some breaking news: On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court voted to reverse Roe v. Wade, the crucial 1973 ruling that the right to an abortion was protected by the Constitution.
The move allowed lawmakers in over a dozen states to swiftly advance policies that would criminalize those who perform and seek out abortions.
Among the American artists who took the stage at Glasto, the backlash was swift. "Today is a really, really dark day for women in the U.S.," lamented Billie Eilish to her fans. Indie-rock star Phoebe Bridgers stoked the crowd with chants of "F— the Supreme Court," while Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion asked audience members to repeat the fiery slogan, "My body, my motherf— choice."
Teen hit-maker Olivia Rodrigo, joined onstage by English singer Lily Allen, unleashed her own furious missive to the justices who voted to overturn Roe, noting that many women and girls would die as a result of their decision. "At the end of the day, they truly don't give a s— about freedom," hissed Rodrigo, before kicking off a live refresher of Allen's 2009 kiss-off to President George W. Bush, "F— You."
Eilish, Rodrigo, Bridgers, Megan: Young, popular artists unafraid to speak their minds, with millions upon millions of followers on social media. And they were far from the only entertainers raising their voices: Scores of other
