Tom Morello knows how to put a guest list together. At Power To The People, Geezer Butler joined Jack Black for “War Pigs,” and Dave Grohl stepped up to sing Kiss with Morello. And that was before Bruce Springsteen and Joan Baez even took the stage.
Held October 3, 2026, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, the festival spread rock, hip-hop, folk and punk across the Pavilion and Chrysalis stages. The Freedom Village gave community organizations a place in the day, too. A portion of ticket proceeds and all net proceeds from VIP tickets were designated for VoteRiders and HeadCount.
Neighborhood Kids, The Last Internationale, State Radio and The Linda Lindas were among the earlier acts. Grandson’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” put the day’s politics directly into the music, while Killer Mike spoke about local elections and holding politicians accountable.
Jack Sabbath was an early highlight. Black, wearing an Ozzy-style fringed jacket, fronted Roman Morello on guitar, Revel Ian on bass, Yoyoka Soma on drums and Hugo Weiss on keyboards. Their three songs covered Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mr. Crowley,” Black Sabbath’s “The Wizard” and, with Butler joining them, “War Pigs.” Seeing Sabbath’s own bassist step into that young band was a treat. And for a festival built around protest, “War Pigs” was a pretty good place to start.
By the time Nathaniel Rateliff was finishing his solo acoustic set at the Chrysalis, Morello and his full band were already waiting on the Pavilion stage. The sets had been slipping later and later. Once Rateliff hit his final note, Morello immediately ripped into “Soldier in the Army of Love.”
Roman played alongside his father for “Date Night,” and grandson joined for “Hold the Line.” Morello also worked a Rage Against the Machine medley and Audioslave’s “Cochise” into a set that left plenty of time for his own catalog before opening up to the guests.
With Serj Tankian, the set moved from their new collaboration, “Adjourn It,” to Audioslave’s “Like a Stone.” Remembering Chris Cornell, Morello said, “If he was with us, he’d be with us.” It was a simple introduction, and all the song needed.
Chuck D and B-Real rejoined Morello for a partial Prophets of Rage reunion on “Prophets of Rage.” DMC’s “It’s Tricky” led into a crowded “Walk This Way,” with Scott Ian, Chuck D, B-Real, Sen Dog and Black joining in. “Fight the Power” followed. Grohl’s turn at the microphone for Kiss’ “Rock and Roll All Nite” added another good reason to keep watching who was walking onstage.
Cypress Hill also had their own set at the Pavilion, while Public Enemy played the Chrysalis. Ian’s appearance with Public Enemy for “Bring Tha Noize” made him another musician doing more than one shift.
Taylor Momsen took the microphone for Suns of Soundgarden, with Matt Cameron on drums, Mike McCready and Morello on guitars, and Robbie Mangano on bass. “Loud Love,” “Outshined” and “Spoonman” made for a strong, heavy three-song selection. Coming after Tankian’s appearance with Morello, it also gave Cornell’s work a place in the day through both Soundgarden and Audioslave.
Kneecap’s absence became part of the program. Morello told the crowd the group had been invited but denied visas to enter the United States. In protest, he screened the music video for “Unconquered,” his collaboration with Kneecap.
Before Cypress Hill’s set, Macklemore appeared in a prerecorded message addressing the suffering in Gaza, Sudan and Congo. His remarks came weeks after his removal from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian comments. “None of us are free until all of us are free,” he said, closing with “Free Palestine.”
The video tribute to Morello’s mother, Mary, was more personal. A teacher and founder of the anti-censorship organization Parents for Rock and Rap, she died earlier this year at 102. The festival took place two days after what would have been her 103rd birthday. Her family’s memorial project encourages volunteering and community action while supporting humanitarian and social-justice organizations.
Dave Matthews began his set alone with “Don’t Drink the Water,” then made room for Baez and Rateliff on “Deportee” and “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ’Round.” Stephen Stills followed with “For What It’s Worth,” performed with Matthews, Rateliff and Morello. It was a welcome stretch of the day to spend with those voices together.
Dropkick Murphys kept their politics blunt with “Who’ll Stand With Us?” and “Citizen I.C.E.,” alongside familiar songs including “The Boys Are Back,” “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya” and “Rose Tattoo.”
Foo Fighters packed seven songs between “Times Like These” and “Everlong,” with Preservation Hall’s Ben Jaffe joining for Mose Allison’s “Young Man Blues.” Grohl dedicated “My Hero” to “my new friend Jack,” apparently a nod to former special counsel Jack Smith, who was at the festival. He had already taken his turn singing Kiss with Morello, and even after the Foo Fighters set, his day wasn’t finished.
Springsteen opened the closing set alone with “Streets of Minneapolis,” released in January for the city’s residents, immigrant neighbors, and the memory of Alex Pretti and Renée Good. After so many musicians sharing stages throughout the day, that solo opening gave the song and its dedication room before the next round of guests.
Springsteen’s introduction of Baez as “one of my great inspirations” put their duet on Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom” in personal terms. The set then grew around him, with Morello and his band joining for The Clash’s “Clampdown” and “The Ghost of Tom Joad.”
Matthews and Rateliff returned for “Fortunate Son.” Grohl came back, too, joining Springsteen, Morello and Matthews for Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
Despite the earlier delays, the festival ended on time. “This Land Is Your Land” and John Lennon’s “Power to the People” closed it out, with more of the day’s performers joining the finale.
Seeing that stage fill up again was a satisfying finish. Morello had given us a day where Geezer Butler could play with Jack Black’s young band and Joan Baez could share a song with Springsteen. I’m glad I was there to cover it. Even with a guest list like this, those are the moments you hope for.
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