Tom Morello has always been a man of the people. On August 14, the Rage Against The Machine guitarist played a surprise show on the picket line in front of Paramount Studios in Hollywood.

SAG-AFTRA is Hollywood’s largest union, representing 160,000 performers. Along with the Writers Guild of America (WGA), the two unions are currently on strike as they seek an increase in wages and residuals from streaming. They are also seeking to negotiate safeguards against the unregulated use of AI in the film industry.

Speaking with NME, Morello said, “They’re making history here on the sidewalk in front of Paramount Studios and I’m here to support them and express my solidarity.”

His 15-minute set included “Union Song”, “Hold The Line”, “Union Town”, and a cover of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land”. “I’ve made music throughout my entire life to be played on picket lines and on the front lines,” said Morello. “So today is just one more day at the office with regards to that.”