Power To The People Festival 2026: Springsteen, Foo Fighters & More Unite

The inaugural Power To The People Festival took place on Saturday, October 4, 2026, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, delivering a star-studded lineup of rock, hip-hop, and folk icons. Curated by Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, the event blended music with activism, donating proceeds to voting rights organizations VoteRiders and HeadCount. Fans witnessed unforgettable collaborations, political anthems, and rare performances from artists spanning generations and genres.

A Lineup of Legends

The festival’s one-day, two-stage format featured an eclectic mix of headliners and special guests. Among the most anticipated acts: - Bruce Springsteen (with Joan Baez and Tom Morello) - Foo Fighters (fronted by Dave Grohl) - Dave Matthews (with Cindy Mizelle) - Public Enemy (Chuck D and Flavor Flav) - Cypress Hill (B-Real and Sen Dog) - Joan Baez - Tenacious D’s Jack Black (as part of Jack Sabbath) - Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) - Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) - Serj Tankian (System of a Down) - Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield)

Morello’s own set, billed as Tom Morello & Friends, included appearances from grandson, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels (Run D.M.C.), and Scott Ian (Anthrax), transforming the stage into a rotating collective of rock and hip-hop royalty.

Standout Performances and Collaborations

The festival’s spirit of unity shone through in its collaborative moments. Springsteen opened his set solo with “Streets of Minneapolis”, a song written in response to the killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti. He later joined forces with Joan Baez for Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom”, while Morello’s band backed him for covers of The Clash’s “Clampdown” and his own “The Ghost of Tom Joad.”

Foo Fighters delivered a high-energy set, kicking off with “Times Like These” and closing with “Everlong.” A highlight was their rendition of Mose Allison’s “Young Man Blues” alongside the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Meanwhile, Dave Matthews paid tribute to Marvin Gaye with “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)”, featuring Cindy Mizelle on vocals.

Perhaps the most theatrical moment came from Jack Black, who fronted Jack Sabbath—a supergroup featuring Morello’s son Roman Morello, Yoyoka Soma, and Hugo Weiss—for a raucous performance of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”, with Geezer Butler joining on bass.

A Festival with a Mission

Beyond the music, Power To The People carried a clear message. Organizers described it as “a non-partisan celebration of peace, justice, solidarity, music, and community action.” A portion of ticket proceeds and all net VIP profits were earmarked for VoteRiders and HeadCount, organizations focused on voter registration and rights. The festival’s closing number, John Lennon’s “Power to the People”, performed by the entire ensemble, underscored its activist roots.

For fans who missed the livestream, setlists from the day included: - Bruce Springsteen: “Streets of Minneapolis,” “Chimes of Freedom,” “Clampdown,” “The Ghost of Tom Joad” - Foo Fighters: “Times Like These,” “Young Man Blues,” “Everlong” - Tom Morello & Friends: “Killing in the Name,” “Fight the Power,” “Walk This Way” - Dave Matthews: “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology),” “Don’t Drink the Water”

Why It Mattered

The festival wasn’t just a concert—it was a reunion of artists who’ve shaped rock, hip-hop, and folk over the past five decades. From Springsteen’s protest songs to Public Enemy’s revolutionary hip-hop, the event celebrated music’s power to inspire change. For attendees, it was a chance to see Foo Fighters and Springsteen share a stage, or witness Jack Black and Geezer Butler pay homage to Black Sabbath’s legacy.

While details about a 2027 edition remain unannounced, the inaugural Power To The People Festival set a high bar for future events, proving that music and activism can coexist in a single, unforgettable day.