Springsteen, REM will rock against Bush

NEW YORK (Bruce Springsteen Fans Website) - Pearl Jam, REM and Babyface are uniting with more than 20 other politically-minded bands for a series of anti-Bush concerts across the U.S.

The "Vote For Change" tour kicks off at the beginning of October in Pennsylvania, and will feature up to six simultaneous concerts in each of the 28 cities targeted. Other acts to hop on the "Vote For Change" bandwagon include Bruce Springsteen, Jurassic 5 and The Dave Matthews Band.

The unprecedented concerts will take place across nine key states under the banner "Vote For Change". "I feel this is one of the most critical elections in my lifetime," Springsteen said in announcing the gigs. "This wasn't one that a concerned citizen felt comfortable sitting out."

Springsteen was joined by a collection of performers that spanned generations and genres: country act the Dixie Chicks, hip-hoppers Jurassic 5, bluesman Keb' Mo' and classic rockers John Mellencamp and Jackson Browne.

The artists will play 34 shows in 28 cities between Oct. 1-8.

Springsteen's concerns and commitment were shared by other performers, including Dave Matthews and his band. "It's the first time Bruce and the E Street Band ever stood up and made a clear political statement," he said.

The shows begin on October 1 in Pennsylvania and will include as many as six concerts on a single day in cities across the states expected to decide the November presidential race.
Other stops on the tour are North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and the key state in 2000, Florida.

The money generated will go to America Coming Together, which promises on its Web site to "derail the right-wing Republican agenda by defeating George W. Bush."
They will pair artists, such as Springsteen and REM, the Dixie Chicks and James Taylor, or Mellencamp and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds.