Accompanying the news that Prophets of Rage will be holding an “Anti-Inaugural Ball” to coincide with President Elect Donald J. Trump’s official inauguration as 45th president of the United States is the fact that Audioslave will reunite to perform at the event. This will mark the first show from the band in over a decade, 11 years in fact.
Much like Prophets of Rage consist of 3/4 of Rage Against the Machine alongside famous vocalists, Audioslave was Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk with Soundgarden’s famous crooner Chris Cornell. While the group ended with members offering differing accounts of what led to the split, it’s clear this monumental political moment was the perfect moment to bury the hatchet and get on stage once again.
The show will take place on January 20 at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles. Other than Prophets of Rage and Audioslave, also performing are Jacksone Browne, Vic Mensa, Jack Black and the Los Angeles Freedom Choir.
Audioslave broke up after releasing three albums together, which is not terrible considering the track of most true supergroups. In 2006, Cornell left the group to restart his solo career.
The group’s final live appearance ended up being on November 2006 at the KXTE 107.5 Holiday Havok in Las Vegas, NV.
It is unsurprising, given their historically political nature that Tom Morello and company would be behind one of the most exciting protest events of the week. Morello left a statement on the band’s Facebook page:
“The Anti-Inaugural Ball is a celebration of resistance. Resistance to racism. Resistance to sexism. Resistance to homophobia. Resistance to bullying. Resistance to environmental devastation. Resistance to fascism. Resistance to Donald Trump. We are staring down the barrel of a dystopian nightmare unless we act NOW, unless we fight back NOW. We intend to create “No Trump Zones” across the country; in our homes, our schools, our places of work, and our concert stages. Bad Presidents make for great music. Join us as we get loud and stand together to defend our rights, our country, and our planet.”
Find tickets here, at least while they last.
Anti-Inaugural Ball
Audioslave
Prophets of Rage
Jackson Browne
Vic Mensa
Jack Black
Los Angeles Freedom Choir