America is in a state of rebellion against its leader
George W. Bush. While many common Americans are doing their part, it's incredible to see how much the art & entertainment community is getting behind the effort. Millions have gone out and seen
Michael Moore's film
Fahrenheit 9/11,
Fat Wreck Records has released two
Rock Against Bush music collections, countless
celebrities have spoken out against Bush and even
Oscar winner
Whoopi Goldberg lost a multimillion dollar ad deal with
Slim Fast for speaking out against Bush.
Yet the biggest contribution from artists isn’t wearing a Kerry/Edwards pin to a movie premiere or calling him a pussy in US Weekly. The biggest contribution yet is the recently formulated “Vote For Change Tour.”
The Vote For Change Tour will contain 40 shows played in 28 cities that lie in the major swing states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and Florida.
The tour will feature an absolutely incredible lineup that is actually six separate touring bills playing under one tour name. The bands and dates are as follows:
NOTE: Bands are subject to change, and according to tour organizer MoveOn.org, more will be added, I'll keep this node updated)
Pearl Jam with Death Cab for Cutie
Friday, Oct. 1 Reading
Saturday, Oct. 2 Toledo
Sunday, Oct. 3 Grand Rapids
Tuesday, Oct. 5 St. Louis
Wednesday, Oct. 6 Asheville
Friday, Oct. 8 Kissimmee
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with R.E.M., John Fogerty and Bright Eyes
Friday, Oct. 1 Philadelphia
Saturday, Oct. 2 Cleveland
Sunday, Oct. 3 Ann Arbor
Tuesday, Oct. 5 St. Paul
Friday, Oct. 8 Orlando
Dave Matthews Band with Jurassic 5 and My Morning Jacket
Friday, Oct. 1 State College
Saturday, Oct. 2 Dayton
Sunday, Oct. 3 Detroit
Tuesday, Oct. 5 Madison
Wednesday, Oct. 6 Ames
Friday, Oct. 8 Gainesville
The Dixie Chicks with James Taylor
Friday, Oct. 1 Pittsburgh
Saturday, Oct. 2 Cleveland
Sunday, Oct. 3 Detroit
Tuesday, Oct. 5 Iowa City
Wednesday, Oct. 6 St. Louis
Friday, Oct. 8 Tampa Bay
Jackson Browne with Bonnie Raitt and Keb' Mo'
Friday, Oct. 1 Williamsport
Saturday, Oct. 2 TBA
Sunday, Oct. 3 Grand Rapids
Tuesday, Oct. 5 Kansas City
Wednesday, Oct. 6 Des Moines
Friday, Oct. 8 Jacksonville
John Mellencamp with Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds
Friday, Oct. 1 Wilkes-Barre
Saturday, Oct. 2 Cincinnati
Sunday, Oct. 3 Kalamazoo
Tuesday, Oct. 5 Milwaukee
Friday, Oct. 8 Miami
I take one look at that lineup, and I can't help but think that this country is in the middle of a movement that will go down in the history books.
UPDATE: 8/26/2004:
Jack Johnson and Crosby, Stills & Nash will play one night on the Jackson Browne leg of the tour. John Prine will play another night on that tour with the bands announced. Also Sheryl Crow will be playing one night on one of the legs, details haven't been confirmed.