A diverse assembly of rock and alternative music royalty is heading to the Washington, D.C. area this autumn for a new single-day event. Organized by Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, the Power to the People Festival is scheduled to take place on October 3, 2026, at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The gathering will happen just one month ahead of the upcoming U.S. election. The initial public reveal occurred live on stage when Morello joined his longtime friend Bruce Springsteen during a concert in Washington.
The festival’s expansive billing features massive names including the Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Brittany Howard, and Serj Tankian. The single-day schedule will also feature sets from Killer Mike, Cypress Hill, Dropkick Murphys, and Taylor Momsen. Additionally, actor Jack Black will perform alongside a youthful backing group featuring Morello’s son Roman, while famed activist and illustrator Shepard Fairey is handling the event’s visual art and performing a DJ set.
Though promotional descriptions characterize the event as “a non-partisan celebration of peace, justice, solidarity, music, and community action”, the lineup heavily features prominent musicians who have consistently used their platforms to challenge government policies. Explaining the ultimate mission behind the upcoming gathering, Morello shared, “The Power to the People festival is about freedom, justice, equality and rock and roll. It’s about the power everyday human beings have when they come together through music, art, community, and action. We’re honored to bring this incredible lineup to the DC area for a day that celebrates the spirit of activism, creativity, and hope.”
Beyond the live music across two stages, attendees will be able to visit an interactive area called the Freedom Village, which is designed to spotlight grassroots advocacy, community aid, and civic education. Financial support from the concert will also directly benefit democratic engagement. A fraction of general ticket sales, alongside the entirety of net earnings from VIP packages, will be forwarded to HeadCount and VoteRiders, two prominent national organizations focused on helping citizens navigate the voter registration and identification processes.
For more information, head to: www.powertothepeoplefest.com.
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