In what may become the most politically approved festival lineup of 2026, Tom Morello has officially unveiled the “Power To The People” festival — a one-day event dedicated to activism, solidarity, social justice and, apparently, making sure nobody on the bill has ever accidentally liked the wrong tweet.
Set for October 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, the festival boasts a lineup stacked with artists who have never exactly hidden where they stand politically. FOO FIGHTERS, SERJ TANKIAN, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Killer Mike, CYPRESS HILL, Brittany Howard, DROPKICK MURPHYS, Taylor Momsen, GRANDSON and THE LINDA LINDAS are all scheduled to appear, alongside various activists, nonprofits and voter registration organizations.
Basically, if your uncle calls it “woke Woodstock,” this may be the event he’s talking about.
Curated by the ever-outspoken RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist, the festival promises live music, community action, activist organizations and a “Freedom Village” focused on grassroots organizing and civic engagement. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit voting-rights and voter-registration initiatives.
Morello described the event as “about freedom, justice, equality and rock and roll,” adding that the goal is to celebrate “the power everyday human beings have when they come together through music, art, community, and action.”
Of course, critics online were quick to joke that the lineup looked less like a random festival bill and more like an emergency group chat for politically active rock musicians. Others pointed out that if Ted Nugent somehow wandered backstage, the entire venue might briefly collapse into a singularity.
Still, love it or hate it, the lineup is undeniably loaded with legendary names, influential voices and artists who’ve spent years blending music with activism. And honestly, pairing Tom Morello, SERJ TANKIAN and DROPKICK MURPHYS on one bill practically guarantees at least three speeches before sunset.
