Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Springsteen are on the Minnesota governor’s playlist. Since the beginning of his mandate, almost six years ago, Tim Walz has repeatedly demonstrated his appreciation for musicians and their work.
:quality(50)/2021/12/14/61b8b992ac9d6_laure-narlian.png)
Published
Reading time: 3 min
:quality(50)/2024/08/07/000-36cb7g9-66b3e4c702628072974506.jpg)
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has chosen a running mate who is a fan of rock and pop music. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is probably as fond of music as former President Barack Obama, who is known for regularly posting his playlists of the moment.
Until then, this former teacher was little known to the general public. However, as soon as the Democratic ticket was announced on Tuesday, August 6, social networks began to buzz with references to Tim Walz’s musical tastes.
From Husker Dü’s Bob Mould to Beyoncé’s fan club, many welcomed the arrival of a genuine music fan who calls himself a “inspired” by his heroes. The values of the possible future vice president of the United States shine through his musical choices. At least in part.
Like millions of others around the world, Tim Walz is first and foremost a “Swiftie”, a fan of the American singer Taylor Swift. He considers her to be “a positive influence” And “an example of sincerity, grace and creativity“. He even declared two days in her honor – “Taylor Swift Days” – in the state of Minnesota, during the passage of the global pop star in this state on June 23 and 24, 2023.
A year earlier, on November 18, 2022, he posted a photo of his cat Afton, disappointed at not having been able to get a ticket for a concert by the singer of Styleafter having spent the day on the internet in vain.
In May, he also signed a law in favor of greater transparency in concert ticketing, the “Taylor Swift Bill.” The latter should help prevent fraudulent ticket sales and mass purchases by resellers.
But Tim Walz is not an exclusive fan. He is also a member of the Beyhive community, Beyoncé fans, notes Variety. He also created a “Beyoncé Day” for the Texan singer during her visit to Minnesota on July 20, 2023.
“I may be the governor of Minnesota, but we all know who runs the world.“, he had then written on X, in reference to the title Run the World (Girls).
Decidedly a fan of days in honor of his favorite artists, he also declared one in honor of Bruce Springsteen, on March 5, 2023 during his visit to St Paul, reported Tuesday the New York Times. “Springsteen’s music is an inspiration to many in Minnesota, reminding us of the values we hold dear, including kindness, compassion and fairness.“, he stressed on this occasion.
Never short of ideas to honor his favorites, Tim Walz renamed a Minnesota highway in May 2023 after Prince, because the Minneapolis Kid was, in his words, “an artist who transformed the music scene in Minnesota and around the world“.
Aged 60, the running mate of Democrat Kamala Harris prefers vinyl to listen to his music.
In December 2023, Tim Walz called for purchases in local stores by showing his latest purchases. Records by Genesis, Steve Winwood, Warren Zevon and the Moody Blues were then recognizable in his basket.
In his stronghold, the governor elected in 2018, then re-elected in 2022, is best known for having proclaimed Minnesota Music Month at the start of his mandate, in April 2019.
“Having produced artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, Prince, The Replacements, Dessa, Atmosphere and Lizzo, Minnesota’s music scene is a vibrant part of our cultural landscape.” he said in a statement. “We are grateful for the contribution of artists to our understanding of each other.”