{
  "id": 11987555,
  "title": "Tom Morello’s Power to the People Festival: Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters and More Rock for Democracy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/tom-morellos-power-to-the-people-festival-springsteen-dave-matthews",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T18:42:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Rolling Stone",
    "slug": "rolling-stone",
    "url": "https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-pictures/tom-morello-power-to-the-people-springsteen-foo-fighters-1235635540/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Power to the People Festival showcased a star-studded lineup of rock musicians united for a cause. Jack Black's son Roman Morello took to the stage on lead guitar alongside his father, while Chris Barker provided bass skills and some impressive leaps to the Last Internationale's live show. Dave Matthews delivered a heartfelt solo acoustic set, including a powerful cover of Marvin Gaye's \"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology).\"\n\nAttendees expressed their political stance with denim vests bearing messages like \"F-CK ICE\" and \"Make Nazis Afraid Again,\" along with a prominent Palestinian flag. As the night progressed, all artists joined together for a closing jam led by Bruce Springsteen, performing Neil Young's anthem \"Rockin' in the Free World.\"\n\nNotable performances included Tom Morello's appearance with Cypress Hill, Scott Ian of Anthrax, and Jack Black, as well as Grandson's set, which included a shirt that read, \"Eat tainted meat, breathe poison air, drink nasty water, help only yourself: Vote Republican.\" Joan Baez and Bruce Springsteen reunited onstage for a moving performance. The Linda Lindas brought their energetic girl power to the festival, and Matt Cameron and Mike McCready reunited for a tribute to Pearl Jam, performing \"Sons of Soundgarden.\"\n\nGeezer Butler of Black Sabbath showcased his talent during his set, and Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys connected with the Maryland audience. Killer Mike ignited the crowd during his electrifying performance. Dave Grohl, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Morello closed the night with a powerful rendition of Neil Young's \"Rockin' in the Free World.\"\n\nThe festival also featured an interactive activation where attendees could engage with various nonprofits, including the ACLU, Farm Aid, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Oxfam. Drummers Matt Cameron and Mike McCready had a shared history in Pearl Jam, and Geezer Butler's performance paid homage to his late bandmate Chris Cornell through Sons of Soundgarden's set, including \"Loud Love,\" \"Outshined,\" and \"Spoonman.\" Shepard Fairey, the artist behind the iconic Obama \"Hope\" poster, delivered a DJ set and designed the festival's poster art. Delila Paz of the Last Internationale provided an upbeat performance to kick off the event, setting the tone for the rest of the celebration.",
  "summary": "Stars gather at Maryland's Merriweather Post Pavilion for \"a celebration of peace, love, justice, music and community action\"",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}