Watch NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani make surprise cameo at Djo's Forest Hills show

For Joe Keery, aka Djo, and his fans, the sold-out Forest Hills Stadium show was already a night to remember. But little did they know that the event would get an unexpected boost from none other than New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. As Djo took the stage to perform 'Charlie's Garden', Mamdani appeared via a pre-recorded video message on the screens behind the stage, greeting the musician and congratulating him on selling out the venue. The crowd erupted in excitement, making much of the remainder of Mamdani's message difficult to hear.

Mamdani's surprise cameo is not the first time he's been involved in music events in New York City. His inauguration last November featured a performance of 'Bread And Roses' by Lucy Dacus, whom he had previously joined on stage during the All Things Go festival at Forest Hills Stadium. This isn't the first time a politician has made a splash in the music world, either. We've seen Bill Clinton rocking out to Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama jamming with Kendrick Lamar. But what does it say about Mayor Mamdani's priorities that he's taking time out to support a musician like Djo?

Djo's sold-out show at Forest Hills Stadium is evidence of his growing popularity as a musician. His third studio album, 'The Crux', was released in April 2025 and features 'Charlie's Garden', the song that Mamdani made a surprise cameo in. The song was written as an homage to Keery's Stranger Things co-star Charlie Heaton, with whom he shared a house while filming the final season of the show in Atlanta. Djo's music has come a long way since his days as a child actor, and it's clear that he's making a name for himself in the music world.

Djo's future is looking bright, with upcoming tours and collaborations with big names in the music industry. He'll be supporting Tame Impala at a string of North American arena dates this summer and joining Lorde at All Points East in London's Victoria Park on August 22. He'll also be supporting Lorde at Forwards Presents in Bristol on August 28. With his music gaining traction and his collaborations with big names, it's clear that Djo is in the music world.

Mamdani's surprise cameo at Djo's show is evidence of his musician-friendly politics. As a mayor, he's shown a willingness to engage with the music community and support local talent. This is a welcome change from the usual politician-musician dichotomy, where politicians are often seen as out of touch with the music world. Mamdani's actions show that he's willing to take a chance on new talent and support the arts in New York City.

As for what this means for the future of music in New York City, only time will tell. But one thing is certain: with Mayor Mamdani at the helm, the city's music scene is in good hands. And for Djo, this surprise cameo is just the beginning of a bright and exciting future in the music world.