Last night, as demonstrators continued to stand their ground in opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL) on Standing Rock Indian Preservation, a group of musicians came together in Washington, D.C. to host a benefit concert to raise funds for the resistance effort. Billed as “Stand for Standing Rock,” the event at DAR Constitution Hall was hosted and headlined by Dave Matthews and featured performances by R&B artist Ledisi, Neko Case (The New Pornographers), Graham Nash, and frequent Matthews collaborator Tim Reynolds.

In addition to the evening’s famous performers, Matthews invited many members of tribe to perform and speak, including 23-year-old Kendrick Eagle, who shared his experiences meeting President Obama on a few occasions. “He told us he had our backs as long as he’s in office. And now we need him more than ever, and that’s why I’m here.”

After introducing the evening’s various sets of music and speaking on several occasions, Matthews and Reynolds finally took the stage for their headlining set. Easily a highlight of their performance, Matthews told a story about his experience visiting the protestors’ camp at Standing Rock: “The whole experience at the camp exploded my brain and I don’t know what to do about it” said the singer/guitarist. He then debuted a new song about that experience entitled “Song For Billijo”. You can watch fan-shot footage of the debut of “Song for Billijo” below, courtesy of YouTube user dmb4041:

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds also brought out Graham Nash during their set, playing a rendition of the classic song “Teach Your Children” together. Watch the performance below, courtesy of DMB4041.

In such a divisive and tense political climate, it’s inspiring to see artist like Matthews and company standing for important causes like this one. #NoDAPL

Setlists:

Ledisi Setlist:
“A Change Is Gonna Come” (by Sam Cooke)
“A Bridge Over Troubled Water” (by Simon & Garfunkel)
“Trouble in Mind” (by Richard M. Jones)
“Come Together” (by The Beatles)

Neko Case Setlist:
“Vengeance Is Sleeping”
“Middle Cyclone”
“Man”

Graham Nash Setlist:
“Military Madness”
“Just a Song Before I Go”
“Wasted on the Way”
“Chicago”

Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds Setlist:
“Don’t Drink The Water”
“Satellite”
“One Sweet World”
“#41”
“The Maker” (with Neko Case)
“Tangled Web We Weave” (Tim Reynolds solo)
“Little Thing”
“Samurai Cop”
“Oh”
“Crush”
“Teach Your Children” (by Crosby, Stills & Nash; with Graham Nash and Shane Fontayne)
“Song for Billijo” (original, debut)
“Two Step”

[h/t – Rolling Stone]