Bruce Springsteen and other artists performed at the 'Power to the People' protest festival in Maryland, an event focused on voter turnout and social activism.
Key facts
- •The festival took place at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.
- •Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the organizations VoteRiders and HeadCount.
- •Performers included Bruce Springsteen, Tom Morello, Joan Baez, Jack Black, and Serj Tankian.
- •The event was held one month prior to the midterm elections to encourage voter turnout.
- •A 'Freedom Village' area provided space for attendees to engage with nonprofits like the ACLU and Oxfam.
Bruce Springsteen headlined the inaugural “Power to the People” festival at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, on Saturday. Organized by Tom Morello, the one-day event featured a lineup of rock and rap artists who used their performances to advocate for voter participation and protest recent U.S. government actions. The festival, held one month before the midterm elections, also hosted a “Freedom Village” where attendees could engage with various nonprofit organizations.
Performances and Political Messaging
The festival featured numerous collaborative performances, including Springsteen and Joan Baez duetting on Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom,” and a rendition of “Fortunate Son” by Springsteen, Morello, Dave Matthews, and Nathaniel Rateliff. Throughout the day, artists addressed political themes, with performer Grandson referencing the upcoming elections and rapper Killer Mike urging the crowd to vote locally and hold elected officials accountable. Other notable moments included Jack Black performing as “Jack Sabbath” alongside a band of children and bassist Geezer Butler. The event concluded with a collective performance of “This Land Is Your Land” and John Lennon’s “Power to the People.”
Activism and Community Engagement
Beyond the stage, the festival served as a platform for social causes. A portion of ticket proceeds is designated for the organizations VoteRiders and HeadCount. The “Freedom Village” area allowed fans to interact with groups including the ACLU, Farm Aid, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Oxfam. The festival was announced in May, coinciding with reports that several artists had withdrawn from a separate event, “The Great American State Fair,” due to its ties to President Donald Trump. Attendees at “Power to the People” displayed various political slogans on their clothing, reflecting the festival’s stated mission to promote peace, justice, and community action.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by ABC News Entertainment.
