Springsteen, Matthews headline Columbia festival blending rock with midterm activism

Key points

• Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews headlined the 'Power to the People' festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, on October 3, 2026.
• The event was organized by Tom Morello and included a 'Freedom Village' featuring nonprofits like Indivisible, the ACLU, and VoteRiders.
• Proceeds from VIP tickets were directed to voter registration organizations Head Count Inc. and VoteRiders, aiming to mobilize voters ahead of the midterms.
• Fox News questioned whether the participating nonprofits violated federal tax laws prohibiting 501(c)(3) organizations from engaging in partisan campaign intervention.
• The festival sold out within minutes of its announcement four months prior, with no official set schedule released to the public beforehand.

Background

Tom Morello recently released a new solo album and toured with Bruce Springsteen, whose song 'Streets of Minneapolis' gained popularity following a benefit concert. This festival follows a pattern of artists using their platforms for political activism, similar to recent pushbacks by other musicians against political uses of their work.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News emphasized the partisan nature of the event, highlighting the presence of groups like Indivisible and questioning the legality of nonprofit involvement in partisan activities. WMAR 2 News focused on the event's popularity and civic engagement aspects, noting the sold-out status and the goal of reaching 10 million voters. The Baltimore Sun provided logistical details, noting the lack of a public schedule and the excitement surrounding potential surprise performances.

Why it matters

The festival illustrates the growing intersection of celebrity culture, nonprofit fundraising, and political mobilization in the United States. It raises legal questions about the boundaries of 501(c)(3) organizations in political activities and demonstrates how cultural events can be leveraged for voter engagement ahead of critical elections.

What to watch

The impact of the festival on voter registration and turnout in the upcoming midterms will be monitored. Legal scrutiny may follow regarding the activities of the participating nonprofits. Further political events and concerts may emerge as part of the broader midterm campaign strategy.