Post by Grey on Aug 7, 2004 6:10:35 GMT -5
Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam have teamed up alongside an array of other musicians to host a series of concerts to try and oust President George W Bush. The gigs will take place in America's nine "swing states" - territories which currently could easily go to either Bush or his presidential race opponent John Kerry. Springsteen says, "I feel this is one of the most critical elections in my lifetime. This wasn't one that a concerned citizen felt comfortable sitting out." Springsteen will be joined by The Dixie Chicks, REM, James Taylor, Jurassic 5, the Dave Matthews Band, blues star Keb' Mo, John Mellencamp and Jackson Browne for the Vote For Change tour, which will play 34 shows in 28 cities between October 1-8. Dave Matthews says, "It's the first time Bruce and the E Street Band ever stood up and made a clear political statement. This is the first time we've ever stood as a band, unified, and said we want a change." As many as six concerts will take place on a single day, with money generated going to America Coming Together, which promises on its website to "derail the right-wing Republican agenda by defeating George W. Bush" in the November presidential election. The tour kicks off in Pennsylvania, and stops in North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and Florida. Outspoken Dixie Chick Natalie Maines notes, "A change is in order. There's never been a political climate like this, which is so the polar opposite of me as a person and what I believe in."
