While Inauguration Day performances might seem a bit unnecessary, they can actually set the tone about the president being sworn in and the people that president is hoping to reach.

Such was certainly the case at the Biden swearing in ceremony. Let’s start with the jaw dropping National Anthem sung by Lady Gaga.

The singer, known for her flamboyant outfits, arrived in a billowing silk skirt and black top adorned by a large gold brooch of a dove carrying an olive branch. While singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” Gaga turned at one point to gesture to the U.S. flag flying high over the Capitol, the seat of Congress that just two weeks ago was the scene of an attack by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump seeking to overturn Biden’s election.

Next at bat, A-rod’s girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez. She performing a medley of “This Land is Your Land” and “America The Beautiful.”  The pop super star even somehow managed to seamlessly interject in Spanish the part of the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance that says, “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  She also snuck in her marquee lyric “Let’s Get Loud”—a battle cry to club-goers everywhere.

Country singer Garth Brooks, a Republican, also took center stage.  He wore blue jeans, a black shirt and took off his black Stetson hat to sing an unaccompanied version of “Amazing Grace.” He asked Americans at the ceremony and watching at home to sing along with him for the last verse.

Afterward, before replacing his coronavirus mask, Brooks hugged or shook hands with every president, past and present. Then he made a direct exit out the back door.

The star power at the Biden swearing in is in sharp contrast to turn out at the Trump inauguration. There was the forgettable performance of Jackie Evancho, performing the national anthem (an appearance the singer says she now regrets).  The Mormon Tabernacle Choir also performed for Trump—although reportedly, some of the choir members only agreed to appear in exchange for a photo op with Mitt Romney).

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