Tom Morello hosts Power to the People Festival in Maryland

Musician Tom Morello hosted the inaugural Power to the People Festival at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The event featured a diverse lineup of rock and hip-hop artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Jack Black, Cypress Hill, and Public Enemy. The festival was designed as a celebration of music, justice, and social participation, with proceeds from ticket sales supporting organizations VoteRiders and HeadCount to promote electoral participation in the United States.

Notable performances included a Black Sabbath tribute led by Jack Black and Geezer Butler, as well as a collaborative rendition of ‘Walk This Way’ featuring Morello, Chuck D, and Scott Ian.

In connection to the event's political themes, Morello addressed his voting habits in an interview with Rolling Stone. He clarified that while he participates in elections, he did not vote for Kamala Harris, citing a ‘righteous fury’ regarding a corporate-controlled electoral system. He expressed difficulty in supporting candidates perceived as responsible for international conflicts, such as those in Gaza, and noted he cannot recall the last time he voted for a Democratic presidential candidate.