COLUMBIA, Md. – Just outside Washington, D.C., Bruce Springsteen and a lineup of prominent musicians delivered a pointed message from the stage: “Let them hear you in Washington,” Springsteen told the crowd.
The Boss headlined Saturday’s inaugural “Power to the People” festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, performing a series of politically charged songs. Organized by Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, the sold-out event was designed to promote “peace, justice, solidarity, music and community action,” while also encouraging people to vote.
Part of the proceeds from every ticket sold will go to VoteRiders and HeadCount, two organizations focused on voter access and civic participation.
Throughout the day, performers used their sets to criticize recent actions by the U.S. government and to call attention to issues ranging from immigration to democratic participation.
Springsteen began his headlining performance with “Streets of Minneapolis,” a song inspired by the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by federal immigration agents.
“The power and solidarity of the people of Minneapolis, of Minnesota, is an inspiration to the entire country,” he said. “Their strength and their commitment told us that this is still America, and this will not stand. They gave us hope. They showed us courage.”
Joan Baez then joined Springsteen for a duet of Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom.” Later, Springsteen, Morello, Dave Matthews and Nathaniel Rateliff came together to perform Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son.”
The political statements extended beyond the stage. Festivalgoers arrived in T-shirts bearing messages including “Immigrants Make America Great,” “No Kings,” “No one is illegal on stolen land” and “Bring on the Matriarchy.”
A space called “Freedom Village” offered attendees a chance to connect with advocacy groups and nonprofits, including the ACLU, Farm Aid, the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Oxfam.
How ‘Power to the People’ came to be
The “Power to the People” festival was announced in May, shortly after several musicians said they would not participate in “The Great American State Fair,” a planned celebration of America’s 250th anniversary that drew controversy because of its connections to President Donald Trump.
The new festival offered a clear alternative, bringing a veteran-heavy rock lineup to a one-day, two-stage event. The bill also featured Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black, Serj Tankian, Killer Mike and the Linda Lindas.
Its timing was deliberate as well: “Power to the People” was held about a month before the midterm elections.
“I think the timing is a reminder that showing up matters. I’m not here to tell anyone what to think or how to vote,” performer Taylor Momsen told The Associated Press. “I hope people leave feeling connected, inspired to care about the people around them, and reminded that we all have a part to play in our communities. If the festival can create that feeling, I think that’s a win.”
The fest brought music with a message
The festival’s political tone was established early. Grandson, one of the first performers, delivered a song built around the refrain “My president’s a felon” before turning to Bob Dylan’s Cold War-era protest song “Masters of War.”
During a later livestream, the broadcast was interrupted as Grandson brought out two actors portraying Jeffrey Epstein and Trump. The performers appeared onstage attached to one another by a leash.
Other musicians emphasized the festival’s broader goals, directing fans toward the organizations gathered in Freedom Village and urging them to take part in the upcoming midterm elections.
“Vote locally in thirty days,” Killer Mike told the audience during his set. “And hold the (expletive) you vote for accountable — on school boards, county commissions … and when you do, don’t have an ounce of fear or trepidation because this republic is ran by you.”
‘Power to the People’ was full of surprise performances, too
Shortly after 3 p.m., the comedian Jack Black appeared on stage as “Jack Sabbath,” performing Black Sabbath covers while backed by a band of children — including the sons of Morello and Anthrax’s Scott Ian — in what read like both a real-life “School of Rock” set and a touching tribute to the late, great Ozzy Osbourne. In fact, Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler joined them on stage for “War Pigs.”
In Morello’s early evening set, he was joined by System of a Down’s Serj Tankian for a duet of Audioslave’s “Like a Stone” in honor of the late frontman Chris Cornell. It was the start of a trend: After Tankian came Chuck D, Run DMC, Flavor Flav for various covers; Morello and Foo Fighters’ frontman Dave Grohl also tackled Kiss’ “Rock and Roll All Nite.”
Baez, Rateliff and Matthews joined forces for Woody Guthrie’s protest song “Deportees,” before launching into Baez’s “(Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody) Turn Me Around.”
As they exited, Stephen Stills took the stage to perform Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.”
The festival, which Baez labeled a “magnificent antidote,” concluded with all the day’s performers singing Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” — with all its original verses — as well as John Lennon’s “Power to the People.”
“This festival means that peace, love, and justice do not have to remain nouns. They can become verbs — things that we can all contribute to — when we come together and rock out in the name of anti-fascist, radical equality,” a young fan named Evangeline Topete, who wore a shirt that read “Destroy American Fascism,” told The Associated Press. “Rock ‘n’ roll can save us. And so can giving the power where it belongs: to the people!”
