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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: elpolvo who wrote (58017)	10/4/2004 4:37:12 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 89467

From Detroit to K-Zoo, anti-Bush concerts rock Michigan michigandaily.com Boss to Bush: Move On By Trevor Campbell and Alex Wolsky, Daily Arts Writers Elections '04 October 04, 2004 DETROIT — It’s an extraordinary message: Vote for Change. It’s a nearly unprecedented event: the Vote for Change tour hit Michigan last night as the Dave Matthews Band, R.E.M, Bruce Springsteen and 13 other artists played to six sold-out crowds simultaneously throughout the state in an effort to mobilize voters for the upcoming election. All of the artists involved with Vote for Change hope will be a catalyst for positive change throughout the United States. Adult-rock icon Matthews, who played at the Palace of Auburn Hills, has stated on MoveOn.org’s website that “a vote for change is a vote for a stronger, safer, healthier America. A vote for Bush is a vote for a divided, unstable, paranoid America. It is our duty to this beautiful land to let our voices be heard.” The concerts themselves weren’t as politically charged as they could have been. There were no banners declaring support for Kerry hung in the either the Palace of Cobo arena, and despite people registering voters outside the two halls, no billed artists made direct endorsements of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, despite making direct attacks at President Bush. “For me, when you mislead the country and put our sons and daughters at risk,” said Springsteen, who played with R.E.M. and folk-rocker John Fogerty at Cobo, “you lose your job.” Springsteen appealed to the Michigan crowd by spouting politically charged facts about the soldiers from Michigan fighting the war in Iraq, and said Bush needed to get those troops home safely and as soon as possible. He talked about how Michigan is important in the election and urged everyone to get out and do their civic duty in the upcoming election. The artists were not playing their standard sets, either. Instead, their play lists were infused with more political songs and messages. Jurassic 5 infused several of their songs with ill words toward the president but failed to make any bold or angry declarations. Springsteen opened his set with a solo rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” before segueing into his politically charged “Born in the U.S.A.” Folk-rocker John Fogerty was also politically charged, with his iconic anti-war ballad “Fortunate Son” and a new song “Déjà Vu,” which drew comparisons between the government during Vietnam and the current administration. During a lull between songs, Matthews stepped to the mic and welcomed to the stage “a good friend of ours,” shocking the audience when legendary rocker Neil Young strapped on an electric guitar and stepped to the front. With Young leading, the crowded stage launched into a 15 minute performance of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.” “I’m here on behalf of Canadians for Kerry,” Young deadpanned between songs. “The rest of the world couldn’t be here, but they say hi.” Young then dedicated the next song to Spain and launched into the iconic “Cortez the Killer” and soon afterwards the roof-tearing “Rockin’ in the Free World.” Overall, both crowds expressed mixed reasons for the ultimate purpose of the shows. Kathy Costello, who drove in to Detroit with her husband from Rochester, N.Y., to see Springsteen, said the show was so politically daunting that some Republican acquaintances wouldn’t pay money for it because of the cause. Canadian resident Karen Blanchfield noted, “If I was going to vote, I’d vote for Kerry. The debate was really what swung me, I’m just here for the concert.” The mindset behind the Vote for Change tour isn’t without precedent. Both Dave Matthews and John Mellencamp are board members and avid supporters of Farm Aid, Willie Nelson’s annual concert series targeted at raising funds for America’s farmers. Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen and James Taylor took part in the historic “No Nukes” concerts in the late ’70s and the momentous Live Aid concert in 1980 that helped raise awareness about the spread of HIV/AIDS. Across the state, Pearl Jam and Death Cab for Cutie played the Deltaplex in Grand Rapids, Jackson Browne headlined the Wharton Center at Michigan State University with Bonnie Raitt and bluesman Keb’ Mo’, the Dixie Chicks and Taylor played the Fox Theatre in Detroit and Mellencamp performed with Babyface at the State Theatre in Kalamazoo. All of the shows were sold out. The deadline for voter registration is today. The concerts were organized by the group America Coming Together, which puts together a voter-mobilization effort, and are presented by the liberal MoveOn political action committee. The tour will reach 11 states and 33 cities in just 15 days. Vote for Change will come to its grand conclusion in Washington on Oct. 11th with a four-hour long performance at the MCI Center. The show will be televised on the Sundance cable channel. — Daily Arts Writers Brandon Harig and Forest Casey contributed to this report.