Inside the ‘Power to the People’ festival

Columbia, MAryland (AP):

In the shadow of Washington, D.C., Bruce Springsteen and a few musical giants had a message for the world: “Let them hear you in Washington,” he cheered.

The Boss played a number of political songs during his headlining set at the inaugural Power to the People star-studded protest festival at Columbia, Maryland’s Merriweather Post Pavilion on Saturday. Organised by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, the festival aimed to celebrate “peace, justice, solidarity, music and community action”.

Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales will benefit the organisations, VoteRiders and HeadCount.

Many of the acts used their platform to denounce recent actions conducted by the US government. For example, Springsteen opened with Streets of Minneapolis, in response to the killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents.

“The power and solidarity of the people of Minneapolis, of Minnesota, is an inspiration to the entire country,” he told the sold-out crowd. “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.”

For his second number, folk icon Joan Baez emerged, and the pair duetted Bob Dylan’s Chimes of Freedom. Later, Springsteen, Morello, Dave Matthews and Nathaniel Rateliff joined forces for Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Fortunate Son.

In addition to the protest music on stage, fans in the crowd wore shirts with strong messages. “Immigrants Make America Great,” read one. “No Kings,” “No one is illegal on stolen land,” read others. And across the fest grounds stood a Freedom Village, an activation where attendees could engage with nonprofits.

Power to the People was revealed in May, around the same time several musical guests announced they had backed out of America’s 250th anniversary celebration over the event’s ties to President Donald Trump.

Power to the People stood in stark opposition. The one-day, two-stage festival boasted a stacked lineup heavy with veteran rock ‘n’ roll bands. It also included performances by acts like Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black, Serj Tankian, Killer Mike and the Linda Lindas.

And conveniently, Power to the People took place one 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,” Taylor Momsen, one of the festival’s performers, 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.”

MESSAGE MUSIC

Political messaging arrived fast and furious. Rap rock artiste, Grandson, performed a song with the refrain “ My president’s a felon” before singing Bob Dylan’s Cold War protest, Masters of War. A livestream broadcast of the festival cut out as Grandson introduced two actors portraying Jeffrey Epstein and Trump, who joined him onstage, connected by a leash.

Other acts focused on the importance of voting in the upcoming midterm elections.

“Vote locally in 30 days,” rapper Killer Mike said mid-set. “And hold the (expletive) you vote for accountable ... and when you do, don’t have an ounce of fear or trepidation because this republic is run by you.”

Organiser Tom Morello was joined by System of a Down’s Serj Tankian for a duet of Audioslave’s Like a Stone in honour 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 concluded with all the day’s performers singing Guthrie’s This Land Is Your Land and John Lennon’s Power to the People.