The Democratic National Convention will continue Tuesday night at Chicago’s United Center, where Patti LaBelle and rapper Common will soon take the stage as the night’s headline performers. They will share the same stage with a roster of high profile politicos led by former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Billboard broke the news on Tuesday citing confirmation from campaign officials. Both LaBelle and Common, who is a hometown hero after having grown up on the city’s south side, were photographed during their respective sound checks earlier in the day. They follow hot on the heels of performers Jason Isbell and Mickey Guyton, who took the stage on the DNC’s opening night. Legendary singer-songwriter James Taylor was set as the night’s final performer but was cut due to time constraints as the program ran long, officials confirmed.
Common rehearses during the second day of the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Tuesday’s program is organized around the theme “A Bold Vision for America’s Future,” and it will feature the Obamas alongside Kamala Harris’ husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Senators Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders, among others. The View star Ana Navarro will serve as the night’s host.
The showing for LaBelle marks a return to the DNC stage after she had previously performed at the 2004 edition with the Sam Cooke classic and civil rights anthem “A Change is Gonna Come.” More recently, LaBelle performed for Harris and President Joe Biden on the White House South Lawn for a Juneteenth concert. Meanwhile, Common performed at the virtual DNC in 2020 opposite John Legend with their Oscar-winning song “Glory” from Selma.
