Full Breakdown
Springsteen and Morello Announce “Power to the People” Festival Ahead of 2026 Midterms
5/28/2026, 11:23:48 AM
Core Announcement: Festival Details and Lineup
During a May 27, 2026 concert at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Bruce Springsteen and guitarist-activist Tom Morello announced the “Power to the People” festival, scheduled for Oct 3, 2026 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The lineup includes Springsteen and the E Street Band, Morello (with Rage Against the Machine), Foo Fighters, Joan Baez, Dave Matthews Band, Dropkick Murphys, Serj Tankian, Cypress Hill, Killer Mike, grandson, Jack Black (with Roman Morello, Revel Ian, Yoyoka Soma, Hugo Weiss), Brittany Howard, Taylor Momsen, Matt Cameron, The Linda Lindas, The Neighborhood Kids, and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels.
Background
Morello is touring with Springsteen on the “Land of Hope and Dreams” schedule. The festival is timed about one month before the 2026 U.S. midterm elections to draw attention to the vote. Organizers label it a non-partisan celebration of peace, justice, solidarity, music and community action.
Key Figures
Bruce Springsteen, frontman of the E Street Band, has a five-decade career noted for socially conscious songs. Tom Morello, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and activist, will host. Supporting acts include Foo Fighters, Joan Baez, Killer Mike, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Serj Tankian.
Data & Statistics
Why It Matters
Positioned as non-partisan and timed before the midterms, the festival seeks to mobilize voters through music. Featuring activist artists—Morello, Baez, Killer Mike—reinforces its focus on peace and justice, while also serving as a platform for community-action initiatives.
Official Statements
Tom Morello told the audience the festival will be “a non-partisan celebration of peace, justice, solidarity, music, and community action,” slated for Oct 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Springsteen highlighted its role in encouraging civic participation ahead of the midterms. Both confirmed ticket pre-sale dates and the venue’s capacity limit.
Verbatim Quotes
- “a non-partisan celebration of peace, justice, solidarity, music, and community action.” — Tom Morello, guitarist and activist
- “No surrender” — Bruce Springsteen, during his Washington DC concert
- “Per the release: Today, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist and acclaimed activist Tom Morello is proud to announce the Power To The People Festival — a non-partisan celebration of peace, justice, solidarity, music, and community action — taking place Saturday, October 3, 2026 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD.” — Tom Morello (press release)
- “a non-partisan celebration of peace, justice, solidarity, music, and community action.” — Event description (source)
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Source 1 lists The Linda Lindas; Source 2 mentions The Neighborhood Kids. Source 2 adds Brittany Howard and Jack Black’s guest performers, absent in Source 1. No clarification has been provided.
What’s Next
Tickets go on sale May 30, 2026, at 10 a.m. ET. Organizers plan community-action programming before the festival; specific initiatives remain undisclosed.
