WASHINGTON – A major protest festival is set to take place in the Washington, D.C., area, featuring a lineup of iconic musicians including Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Brittany Howard, and Joan Baez. Scheduled for October 3rd at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, the event is planned just a month before the midterm elections, focusing on themes of “freedom, justice, equality and rock ‘n’ roll.”
The festival, called the Power to the People festival, was announced by Springsteen and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello during a concert at Nationals Park. As Springsteen wraps up his Land of Hope and Dreams tour, he used the platform to deliver powerful political messages through his music.
During the concert, Springsteen performed songs with strong political messages, like “American Skin (41 Shots),” which deals with police violence, and “Streets of Minneapolis,” reflecting on the tragic deaths of individuals at the hands of federal agents. “The Gestapo tactics of this president and this administration will not stand here,” he passionately declared to the audience.
Springsteen urged concertgoers 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.” His call to action resonated with the crowd, encouraging them to fight for the America they believe in.
The festival aims to empower everyday people by uniting them through music and activism. “It’s about the power everyday human beings have when they come together through music, art, community and action,” Morello shared in a statement. In addition to the headliners, the event will also feature performances by Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black, Serj Tankian, Killer Mike, Taylor Momsen, and the Linda Lindas, among others.
Springsteen has not shied away from criticizing President Donald Trump, who has responded by calling Springsteen a “total loser who spews hate.” During the recent concert, Springsteen led the crowd in chants of “ICE out!” to emphasize his stance against the current administration’s policies.
He lamented the state of democracy in the U.S., saying, “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.” His passionate remarks concluded with a tribute: “God bless Alex Pretti, God bless Renée Good, God bless you and God bless America,” before transitioning into his final song of the night, “Chimes of Freedom.”
As the festival approaches, it promises to be a significant gathering for music lovers and activists alike, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and the power of collective voices in shaping the future.
___ This story has been corrected to show that Springsteen mentioned Alex Pretti before Renée Good.
