Bruce Springsteen, the Dixie Chicks and a score of other top musical acts have joined forces for a series of nationwide shows to help oust President George Bush from the White House.
The week-long set of concert dates, beginning on October 1, targets key battleground states that are expected to go to the wire on election day, November 2.
”I felt like I couldn’t have written the music I’ve written, and been on stage singing about the things that I’ve sung about for the last 25 years, and not take part in this particular election,” Springsteen said in a statement.
The bands and individuals will perform under the banner of Vote for Change during the tour, which is being organised with the liberal lobby group MoveOn.org.
”Vote for Change is a loose coalition of musicians brought together by a single idea — the need to make a change in the direction of our country,” the performers said in a joint statement.
”We are fighting for a government that is open, rational, just and progressive. And we intend to be heard.”
Proceeds from the tour will go to America Coming Together (ACT) — a voter-mobilisation organisation committed to unseating Bush.
Other headline acts who have signed up for the tour include Pearl Jam, REM, the Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor and John Mellencamp.
The performers will be split into six groups who will put on simultaneous concerts in states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio.
”As concerned mothers, women and, most importantly, concerned Americans, we are compelled to do what we can to inspire other voters to get involved in this year’s election,” the Dixie Chicks said in a statement.
”We hope our participation … will be a catalyst for positive change,” the trio said. — Sapa-AFP