Bruce Springsteen opened the Oct. 3 “Power to the People” festival with “Streets of Minneapolis,” a song about the January killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents. The sold-out event in Columbia, Maryland, paired criticism of federal immigration enforcement with appeals to voters just one month before the midterm elections.
A protest stage before the midterms
Springsteen told the crowd, “The power and solidarity of the people of Minneapolis, of Minnesota, is an inspiration to the entire country. 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.” He urged attendees, “Let them hear you in Washington,” before performing several political songs.
Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine organized the one-day, two-stage festival. Its mission was to celebrate “peace, justice, solidarity, music and community action” and promote voter turnout. A portion of ticket-sale proceeds would benefit VoteRiders and HeadCount. The event came one month before the midterm elections.
Taylor Momsen told The Associated Press the timing served as a reminder “that showing up matters.” “I’m not here to tell anyone what to think or how to vote,” she said, adding that she hoped people would leave feeling connected and inspired to care about those around them. Other performers urged participation in elections and local government, too.
Killer Mike told the audience, “Vote locally in thirty days,” and urged voters to “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.” Performers pointed attendees toward nonprofits in the adjacent Freedom Village and spoke about voting in the upcoming midterms.
Immigration slogans and nonprofit groups
Festivalgoers wore shirts bearing “Immigrants Make America Great,” “No Kings,” “No one is illegal on stolen land” and “Bring on the Matriarchy.” The Freedom Village gave visitors access to nonprofits such as the ACLU, Farm Aid, the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Oxfam. The event promoted its stated mission and voter-turnout effort, while those nonprofit groups maintained an on-site presence.
Organizers revealed the festival in May, around the time several musical guests announced they had withdrawn from America’s 250th anniversary celebration, “The Great American State Fair,” because of the event’s ties to President Donald Trump. Coverage cast “Power to the People” as standing in stark opposition. Grandson sang “My president’s a felon” and covered Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War.” The livestream cut out when he introduced two actors portraying Jeffrey Epstein and Trump, who appeared onstage connected by a leash.
Performances and closing message
The lineup featured Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black, Serj Tankian, Killer Mike, the Linda Lindas and Delila Paz of The Last Internationale. Joan Baez joined Springsteen for Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom.” Springsteen, Morello, Dave Matthews and Nathaniel Rateliff performed Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son.” Baez, Rateliff and Matthews also performed Woody Guthrie’s “Deportees.”
Baez called the festival a “magnificent antidote.” Performers closed the event with Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” including all its original verses, and John Lennon’s “Power to the People.” Evangeline Topete, a young fan, told The Associated Press that “peace, love, and justice” could become actions when people came together. “Rock ‘n’ roll can save us,” she said.