Bruce Springsteen and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello have announced a star-studded protest festival, 'Power to the People', set for 3 October at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The event, which takes place just weeks before the crucial midterm elections, will feature performances by Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Brittany Howard, Joan Baez, Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black, Serj Tankian, Killer Mike, Taylor Momsen and The Linda Lindas.
Springsteen and Morello made the announcement on Wednesday during a concert at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., marking the end of Springsteen's 'Land of Hope and Dreams' tour. During the politically charged set, Springsteen performed songs including 'American Skin (41 Shots)' and 'Streets of Minneapolis', and led the crowd in an 'ICE out!' chant. He declared, 'The Gestapo tactics of this president and this administration will not stand here.'
Springsteen urged the public to take action, stating, 'This American tragedy can only be stopped by the American people: you. There is no one coming to save us. We’ve got to do it ourselves. So join us and let’s fight for the America that we love.' He also condemned President Donald Trump, calling him 'a reckless, racist, incompetent, treasonous president and his ship of fools administration.'
The one-day, two-stage festival is billed as a celebration of 'freedom, justice, equality and rock ’n’ roll'. A portion of all ticket sales will benefit the organisations VoteRiders and HeadCount. Tom Morello emphasised the collective power of the event, saying, 'It’s about the power everyday human beings have when they come together through music, art, community and action.'
Springsteen has been a long-standing critic of President Trump, who has called for a boycott of Springsteen's shows. The concert concluded with a tribute to Renée Good, the victim of a fatal shooting by federal immigration agents, as Springsteen performed 'Chimes of Freedom'.
