Tom Morello’s Power to the People Festival Set for October
The upcoming “Power to the People” festival, organized by Tom Morello, is set to take place on October 3, 2026, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. Tickets are priced quite high, with some costing hundreds of dollars, and a portion of the proceeds will go to organizations specifically working against restrictive ID laws.
This festival is being marketed as a “day of peace, love, justice, and music.” It promises to feature performances from notable artists like Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, and Jack Black, among others.
Morello has stated that part of the event’s proceeds will benefit a nonprofit named VoteRiders. He described the festival as embodying “freedom, justice, equality, and rock and roll.” It seems clear that Morello has put a lot of effort into making this event a celebration of activism and creativity.
Interestingly, he emphasized that the event is “nonpartisan.” Morello has previously commented on his views about capitalism and social justice, making headlines for his belief that socialism is crucial for the planet’s welfare. So, it’s a little hard to ignore the overarching message behind the festival.
VIP tickets are notably pricey, with the top-tier option—the “VIP Super Suite”—retailing for $1,500. But, according to the festival’s website, a significant chunk of ticket sales will support VoteRiders, which aims to eliminate confusing ID requirements that can hinder voting access.
Other available tickets include the “People’s Park” and “People’s Pavilion” options, priced at $125 and $225, respectively. There’s also a $375 option called the “Solidarity Circle.” All VIP ticket profits are slated for donation to groups focused on human rights and social justice.
Among the headliners is Bruce Springsteen, well-known for his critique of Donald Trump. Additionally, the festival will feature HeadCount, an organization focused on increasing voter registration at various cultural events, and they’ve collaborated with several prominent artists over the years.
Interestingly, there hasn’t been any comment from representatives for Grandstand Media or VoteRiders on the recent inquiries regarding the festival.
