Denver-palooza with RATM, Death Cab, N.E.R.D., Cold War Kids & More: Can Music Help Obama?
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Artist:
This week I really wish I lived in Denver. The place is going off as it hosts the Democratic National Convention. The Barack-a-thon is attracting everyone from Rage Against the Machine to the Cold War Kids. It's like a mini-Lollapalooza spread out over four days in the mile-high city. Last night the Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles kicked things off at the nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Not to loose track of what is important here, there is of course, the suit and tie schedule, where a bunch of overweight Americans will be waving Obama/Biden signs. But, then there's the good times schedule - that's got everyone from Kanye West, Black Eyed Peas, N.E.R.D., James Taylor, Ani DiFranco, Silversun Pickups, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Death Cab members, Nada Surf, David Crosby and Graham Nash putting their chops toward the cause. But will it make a difference? Does the amount of support coincide with who throws the bigger convention?
Today, Monday, August 25th, 2008 at the DNC podium, under the theme "One Nation," things kick off with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's wife Michelle Obama as the keynote speaker. A four hour intro to all things donkey is followed by Rock The Vote's Ballot Bash which includes performances by Fall Out Boy, Jakob Dylan and N.E.R.D. Nick Cannon will DJ the after-party. Only 1,700 lucky peopel will get in to see the show.
Tuesday things get a little more serious. Denver's Pepsi Center will welcome Obama's frenemy Hilary Clinton as the keynote speaker and address Obama's idea that "a strong economy is unattainable with a weak middle class." Everclear, Daughtry and the Flobots, will perform at an invite only party part of the Grammys Rock the Conventions series. Moby is set to spin at a shindig for nonprofit Do Something. And Boulder, Colorado's famed E-town radio show will move to the Temple Buell Theater in Denver for one night, hosting performances from James Taylor, Ani DiFranco and David Crosby and Graham Nash. Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard and guitarist/producer Chris Walla wiil play an acoustic set as will singer-songwriter Graham Colton, at the "Concert for a Cooler Planet," sponsored by the League of Conservation Voters.
Wednesday...the place goes off. While inside the DNC Obama will be addressing foreign policy to "Secure America's Future," the always politically-conscience Rage Against the Machine will headline the Tent State Music Festival to End the War at the Denver Coliseum. The free show aims to confront the Democrats about ending the war, a novel approach to the week's festivities considering the show's more of an in-your-face event at the Democrats. Another nonprofit, the Creative Coalition, will sponsor a Black Eyed Peas concert at the Fillmore Auditorium. Kanye West performs at the RIAA and ONE concert. Obama supporting indie rockers Silversun Pickups, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Nada Surf and the Cold War Kids make up the Unconventional '08 bill, a private party for the hipster crowd.
Thursday...Barack Obama address the public at Invesco Field for the candidate's big speech.
So yeah… going back to my title question… Can music really help a Presidential candidate?
Comments (12)
Party central in Denver this week
Here is what I will tune it seem and it ain't Hillary:
Texas-rocker Alejandro Escovedo has been tapped to perform live from the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO on Tuesday evening as part of the DNCC's nighttime program which will feature Senator Hillary Clinton as the evening's prime-time headliner speaker. Escovedo who is slated to perform "People (We're Only Gonna Live So Long)" from his recent release REAL ANIMAL will take the stage at 5:45 p.m. (MST).
amazing ... there's even more that i didnt mention here
If Obama wins, it will be one hell of an inauguration week here in DC in January.
every campaign needs a soundtrack and i think that the music that speaks to each faction of voter supplies that... music doesn't necessarily change anything but it does make people feel good and often gives them a rallying cry they can all embrace... sorta like when Arnold Schwarznegger says "hasta la vista baby" in whatever movie he did... long after everything else is forgotten, you can use that line and its loaded with cultural shorthand....
so - to answer your question: can music help a presidential candidate? yes, it can. in fact.... i found the PERFECT SONG for the Dems...
if anyone wants to twist my arm, i could send them to it online....
twisting........""""".....""""'
I just hope that decent, humane, charitable, educated, sensible, productive Americans won't be left twisting...in the wind in November. Go-bama!
The Black Keys and My Morning Jacked kicked it all off on Thursday (8/21), NOFX, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and the Circle Jerks (amongst others) played an all punk show there on Friday, and The Allman Brothers are closing out the convention on 8/30. There's a lot more bands performing all during the week...I actually wish I could be out there just for the music! To answer the question, though, I think that yes, musical acts can easily influence a young voter into choosing a candidate...especially if they're undecidid. As for the more seasoned voters, I don't think it really matters. Aren't all Rock fans Democrats anyway lol?! Obama Now! :-)
undecidid?!! lol....duh
GarageRock, are you saying we're a nation of idiots? :)
i dont think the music really has anything to do with the vote, just more media hype for Obama. I mean if someone likes Rage or MMJ and knows what there vote is i dont think it would persuade or de-persuade the vote to people who really keep up with politics. On other hand kids mainly that dont keep up with it and know of who everyone in the media is voting for may have an impact on the election.
just would like to point out that RATM are not there to support Obama - they are there to protest agains the Democrats and the entire two party system.
As Zack de la Rocha said at the last DNC they perfomed at "we hate both the democrats and rebublicans because they sold this fucking country out"
GarageRock said: To answer the question, though, I think that yes, musical acts can easily influence a young voter into choosing a candidate...especially if they're undecidid.
the UNDECIDED VOTER is the one that both parties are trying to win over.
who knows what helps the undecided decide?
i know otherwise intelligent, caring, thinking, left-oriented people, who by the circumstances of their birth.... voted for George HW Bush in 1988... probably because Dukakis was a weak candidate.... and GHWB pounded the Dems over the head with Willie Horton... who knows?
i personally signed up many many young people to register to vote when i worked on Lollapalooza in 1992. in 1992, young people more than any other group fired George HW Bush just as much as they elected Clinton. Pearl Jam were all over that campaign... I think that more than anything, if your musical hero voices an opinion you agree with, then its that much easier to proudly voice your opinion and talk about who you're voting for and why.
me? i'm living the dream.....for sure....
if you want... you can LISTEN HERE