Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello have unveiled plans for a star-studded protest festival in the Washington, D.C., area, set to take place just weeks before the crucial midterm elections. The event, dubbed "Power to the People," will feature an impressive lineup including Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Brittany Howard, and Joan Baez, among others.
Announcement at Nationals Park
The festival was announced on Wednesday by Springsteen and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello during a concert at Nationals Park in Washington, which marked the conclusion of Springsteen's "Land of Hope and Dreams" American tour. During the politically charged performance, Springsteen delivered tracks such as "American Skin (41 Shots)," addressing a fatal police shooting, and "Streets of Minneapolis," inspired by the killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents.
Springsteen declared, "The Gestapo tactics of this president and this administration will not stand here." He 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. Do you hear me, Washington?"
Festival Details and Beneficiaries
Scheduled for 3 October at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, the one-day, two-stage event 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, which focus on voter registration and engagement.
Tom Morello emphasised the collective power of the event, saying in a statement: "It's about the power everyday human beings have when they come together through music, art, community and action. We're honored to bring this incredible lineup to the DC area for a day that celebrates the spirit of activism, creativity, and hope."
Additional Performers and Political Context
The festival's lineup will also include performances from Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black, Serj Tankian, Killer Mike, Taylor Momsen, and The Linda Lindas, among others. Springsteen has been a long-standing critic of President Donald Trump, who in turn has called for a boycott of Springsteen's shows, labelling him a "total loser who spews hate."
On Wednesday, Springsteen led the crowd in an "ICE out!" chant, encouraging the audience to ensure their voices reached the White House. He further condemned the current political climate, asserting: "Our democracy, our constitution, our rule of law are being challenged right now as never before by a reckless, racist, incompetent, treasonous president and his ship of fools administration."
Springsteen concluded his performance with a poignant tribute, saying, "God bless Renée Good, God bless Renée Good, God bless you and God bless America," before launching into the night's final song, "Chimes of Freedom."
