The Black Keys Play Crypto Gig for Cash, Fans Divided

The Black Keys, the renowned indie rock duo, made headlines in 2024 when they performed at a crypto-themed gig called "America Loves Crypto." The event, organized by crypto advocacy group Stand With Crypto, aimed to influence the U.S. presidential election by rallying support for pro-crypto candidates. The band's decision to participate raised eyebrows, as they had not previously shown public support for cryptocurrency or NFTs.

Patrick Carney, one half of The Black Keys, revealed the reason behind their participation in an interview with Rolling Stone. He stated that the band had lost their entire year's income and were offered a substantial amount of money to play the show. Carney mentioned that they had seen other artists, such as The Chainsmokers and Big Sean, perform at similar events and decided to accept the offer. When asked if they considered themselves crypto enthusiasts, Carney humorously replied that they were fans of cooking brand Crisco.

Stand With Crypto, initially launched by Coinbase, released a slate of political endorsements ahead of the 2024 election. The organization supported 39 House and Senate candidates, with a 20 to 19 split between Republicans and Democrats. However, some Black Keys fans expressed disapproval of the endorsed candidates, with one Reddit user describing them as the "worst candidates from both parties." Carney acknowledged the backlash but remained unfazed, stating that they had seen their name in negative light before. He also expressed skepticism about the influence of their concert on the election, saying that if a performance for 300 people could sway an entire state's vote, they had bigger problems to worry about.