As rapper Macklemore draws controversy for his activism against Israel, rock stars Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews headline a "Power To The People" music festival today that features a partisan network of nonprofits and activists mobilizing against President Donald Trump ahead of the midterms. Performers from a hip-hop band, The Neighborhood Kids, launched the festival with Macklemore's anthem of protest, chanting "Free, free Palestine!" and continuing with a declaration about protesting from "the belly of the beast," against the "funding of genocide" and the "terrorist organization" Immigration and Customs Enforcement." It dedicated its performance to "the martyrs" railed against "Western imperialism." The marketing language on the "Power To The People" festival's official website speaks to activating "the power everyday human beings have" to "shape" the world "on, and beyond, Election Day." The festival bears clear signs of alignment with the Democratic Party and spotlights the intersection of pop culture, nonprofit fundraising and partisan politics, revealing how celebrity drawing power translates into money, visibility and voters for organizations advancing a political agenda. In the chat, awaiting a livestream broadcast on the Democratic-aligned MS NOW, a user wrote: "BLUE WAVE," symbolizing a anticipated Democratic Party victories in upcoming elections.
Others peppered their comments with blue wave and blue heart emojis. By combining performances with voter registration, activist organizing and charitable donations, "Power To The People" offers participating groups a platform to turn fans’ enthusiasm for music into political engagement – and votes – ahead of the midterms. Festival organizers didn't respond to a request for comment.
PARTY POOPERS' FIGHT CARD: JANE FONDA, 'NO KINGS,' COMMUNISTS ROLL OUT RIVAL SPECTACLE TO TRUMP'S 250TH A "Freedom Village," set up on the festival grounds of the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., outside the nation’s capital, features a roster of nonprofit organizations, including Indivisible, which is funded by billionaire George Soros, Third Act, the ACLU and other groups that have been at the heart of coordinating "No Kings," "Tesla Takedown" and "Hands Off" protests against Trump over almost two years. Last year, Springsteen performed at a "No Kings" protest at the state capitol in St. Paul, Minn., organized by Indivisible and featuring anti-Trump activist Jane Fonda.
He also headlined a "No Kings" event at the Target Center in Minneapolis. FIRST ON FOX: ‘NO KINGS’ PROTEST NETWORK BEHIND FIGHT AGAINST AI DATA CENTERS AND FLOCK CAMERAS Many of the festival's performers and organizers bring a documented history of campaigning for Democrats and far-left activism. Festival organizer Tom Morello, guitarist of the band Rage Against the Machine, has called socialism a "necessity." Opening the concert after the hip-hop group The Neighborhood Kids, Morello blasted the "dictators" and the "oligarchs," symbolic references that protesters have used for almost two years of protests against Trump.
According to an online fundraising form, the "Power To The People Festival Fund" is identified as a fiscally sponsored project of Catalyst Philanthropy Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2024 in Nashville with $6.5 million in annual revenue, according to its latest tax filing. Springsteen endorsed the Democratic presidential ticket in 2024, declaring: "I’m supporting Kamala Harris for president and Tim Walz for vice president." He also called Trump "the most dangerous candidate for president in my lifetime." Artist Dave Matthews participated in the 2020 "I Will Vote" concert, which his official website promoted as supporting Biden, Harris and Democrats down the ballot. Earlier, Matthews backed socialist presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, writing: "When it comes down to it, Bernie Sanders represents what I want from my government." Artist and festival DJ Shepard Fairey created the iconic Obama "Hope" poster and the "Forward" image supporting Harris in 2024.
"I believe VP Kamala Harris and her VP pick Tim Walz are our best chance to move forward," Fairey wrote on his website. He offered the image for grassroots activism and linked readers to Head Count Inc., a nonprofit receiving proceeds from the festival, to "help fans register to vote and learn more about how to participate in upcoming elections." Based in New York City, Head Count Inc. has about $14 million in revenues, according to its latest IRS tax filing. The other nonprofit receiving proceeds from the festival is VoteRiders, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., with $7.8 million in revenues, based on its last tax filing.
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