NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Makes Surprise Cameo at Djo’s Forest Hills Show

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani made a surprise video cameo during Djo’s sold-out Forest Hills Stadium show last night, delighting fans with an unexpected appearance. The musical project of Stranger Things actor Joe Keery played the massive headline show in Queens on July 17, with support provided by Australian psych-rock band Pond.

During the performance of ‘Charlie’s Garden’, Mamdani appeared in a pre-recorded message on the screens behind the stage. The track typically features a voicemail-style contribution from Keery’s Stranger Things co-star Charlie Heaton, but the mayor stepped in to greet the musician and offer his congratulations on the sold-out venue. The crowd erupted in cheers as the mayor appeared, and it was reported that Heaton was also in attendance at the concert.

Check out footage from the moment below.

‘Charlie’s Garden’ is featured on Djo’s third studio album, The Crux, which was released in April 2025. Keery has previously clarified that the voicemail heard on the studio recording was not a genuine message, but rather a creative homage to his friendship with Heaton, developed while the pair lived in neighboring properties during the filming of Stranger Things in Atlanta.

Mamdani is no stranger to the New York music scene. His inauguration last November featured a performance by Lucy Dacus, and he has previously been spotted at concerts for artists including PinkPantheress and MJ Lenderman. More recently, the mayor shared his list of five favorite rappers of all time, highlighting icons such as The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, and Nas.