Anyone familiar with the Stanford University Marching Band knows that they are not your typical college marching band. Known officially as the “Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band,” they have built a reputation for pushing the boundaries and embracing an irreverent, comedic approach to their performances.
Unlike most college marching bands, the Stanford band is entirely student-run. They don’t have a traditional band director, and no prior musical experience is required to join. In fact, their attire is just as unconventional as their performances. Instead of the usual polished band uniforms, members of the Stanford band sport red blazers or vests, black pants, and, in true comedic fashion, “the ugliest tie you can get your hands on.”
But what truly sets the Stanford band apart is their love for satire. The band has become well-known for its halftime performances that troll opponents, pop culture, and current events in ways that often feel more like sketch comedy than a typical marching band routine. And on Saturday afternoon, they set their sights on a new target: tech mogul Elon Musk and his infamous Cybertruck.
During halftime of Stanford’s game against Virginia Tech, the band put on a hilariously chaotic show centered around Musk’s much-maligned Tesla Cybertruck. As part of the routine, a student dressed as a Cybertruck wreaked havoc on the field, crashing into everything in its path in a reckless, over-the-top fashion. The comedic portrayal of the truck’s out-of-control rampage served as a tongue-in-cheek jab at Musk and his controversial electric vehicle.
The timing of the joke couldn’t have been better. Since its release in late 2023, the Cybertruck has been plagued by issues, with numerous recalls and complaints from owners about its various defects. The futuristic design, which was originally hyped as a breakthrough in automotive innovation, has been mocked by critics and consumers alike, many of whom see the vehicle as a rolling, metal hazard on the roads.
Stanford’s students, situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, couldn’t resist taking a shot at the absurdity of the truck’s struggles.
As the Cybertruck costume bumbled around the field, crashing into imaginary obstacles, the performance became both a reflection of the current state of Stanford football and a biting satire of Musk’s struggling invention. The band’s routine poked fun at the vehicle’s widespread failure, which has left many wondering if it will ever live up to its grand promises.
For a band that thrives on pushing limits and creating laugh-out-loud moments, trolling Elon Musk and the Cybertruck felt like a natural fit. After all, who better than Stanford students—living in the epicenter of tech innovation and critique—to lampoon one of Silicon Valley’s most controversial creations?
While the Stanford football team has faced its own challenges on the field, the band continues to be a bright spot in game-day entertainment. With performances like this, they remind fans that if the Cardinal can’t always win games, at least they can win the halftime show.
