September 24, 2026
NEW YORK - Sept. 24, 2026 – As part of the new MS NOW Membership, the organization is giving its fans a chance to attend the first-ever Power to the People Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The sold-out festival, curated by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist and songwriter Tom Morello, features performances by Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Public Enemy, Brittany Howard, Killer Mike, Cypress Hill, The Linda Lindas, Dropkick Murphys, Serj Tankian, Jack Black, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Taylor Momsen, Matt Cameron, special guest Bruce Springsteen, and more.
The collaboration reflects MS NOW’s pro-democracy newsroom and commitment to informing, connecting, and empowering audiences at consequential moments in American life.
The MS NOW Membership is MS NOW’s first direct-to-consumer offering and a new way for audiences to watch, connect, and engage with MS NOW, its journalists and one another. Members have access to 24/7 live TV programming, exclusive content and live conversations with anchors and reporters, along with a moderated community designed to turn the news from a one-way experience into an ongoing conversation.
“WHAT SONG FROM THE PAST FEELS NEWLY MEANINGFUL IN AMERICA TODAY, AND WHY?”
Those interested in participating can enter for a chance to win tickets to the sold-out festival by answering the prompt: “What song from the past feels newly meaningful in America today, and why?” at ms.now/power-to-the-people-contest. Terms and conditions apply.
The contest opens today, Thursday, Sept. 24, and closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 26. Winners will be announced Monday, Sept. 28, on The Beat with Ari Melber at 6 p.m. ET on MS NOW, ms.now, or on the MS NOW app.
ONE FESTIVAL. TWO STAGES. AN AUDIENCE FAR BEYOND MERRIWEATHER
MS NOW will serve as the exclusive livestream destination for Power to the People, bringing the festival’s performances and programming to audiences nationwide. The event will stream live on MS NOW’s YouTube channel. The livestream will be produced by Tenth Planet Productions and directed by Joel Gallen.
MS NOW Anchor and Chief Legal Reporter Ari Melber will also be on the ground throughout the day, connecting audiences with the artists across MS NOW’s television, digital and social platforms.
Built on music’s power to bring people together and people’s power to shape the world around them through civic engagement, Power to the People will unite artists and fans for a day celebrating music and community. Across two stages, artists will come together around the power everyday people have to shape their country through music, art, community and action, on and beyond Election Day.
The festival’s Freedom Village will extend that mission beyond the performances, convening nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, artists and community partners around opportunities for civic engagement, grassroots organizing, mutual aid and social impact.
PLUS, BRINGING THE MS NOW MEMBERS LOUNGE FROM DALLAS TO MERRIWEATHER POST PAVILION
MS NOW will bring its new Members Lounge to Merriweather Post Pavilion, transforming its Membership into a premium, on-the-ground festival experience. The experiential pop-up gives Members a dedicated destination inside Merriweather Post Pavilion, designed for in-person connection and conversation around the political and cultural moments shaping the country.
The Members Lounge will offer Members a place to recharge between performances, connect with the MS NOW community, and experience the network beyond the screen. Terms for entry apply.
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Power to the People Festival takes place Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md.
For festival and livestream information, visit powertothepeoplefest.com. To learn more about the MS NOW Membership, visit ms.now.
