October 14, 2008 at 20:46:01

NC, Ohio Dates Added To Beasties' Pre-Election Stadium Tour

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By Gustav Wynn (about the author) Page 1 of 2 page(s)

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For OpEdNews: Gustav Wynn - Writer

UPDATE:

The first rappers to score a #1 album in America were the Beastie Boys. Long time proponents of social causes like Tibetan Independence and preventing violence against women, the Beasties yesterday announced concerts in battleground states later this month and early November leading up to Election Day, featuring Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Crosby & Nash, Tenacious D and others.

Said the Beasties in an email blast over the weekend, "we are going to do a few shows in hopes that we can remind people to vote. this election is too important, too much is at stake to stay at home. we hope that you can come out, have a nice night, dance, sing, get your freak on, and then wake up the next morning and get everyone that you possibly can to get out and vote....adam, mike & adam"

The 'Boys added in their announcement release "we are very excited about obama. hope you all feel the same." Representatives from the Rock The Vote will be in attendance, continuing their massive youth-voter registration drive. The first shows announced were:

Oct 27 Charlotte, NC Amos Southend (capacity 1,200)
Beastie Boys / Sheryl Crow / Santogold
ON SALE: Thursday, October 16th, 10a Local Venue Time http://www.etix.com

Oct 28 Richmond, VA - Richmond Coliseum (capacity 13,500)
Beastie Boys/Sheryl Crow/Jack Johnson/Norah Jones/Santogold

Oct 29 Youngstown, OH Chevorlet Center (capacity 5,700)
Beastie Boys / Sheryl Crow / Ben Harper / Norah Jones
PRESALE: Thursday, October 16th (Fan Club Only)
ON SALE: Friday, October 17th, 10a Local Venue Time Ticketmaster

Oct 30 Dayton, OH, Hara Arena (capacity 5,500)
Beastie Boys / Sheryl Crow / Ben Harper
PRESALE: Thursday, October 16th (Fan Club Only)
ON SALE: Friday, October 17th, 10a Local Venue Time Ticketmaster

Nov 1 St. Paul, MN - Roy Wilkins Auditorium (capicity 5,000)
Beastie Boys/Ben Harper/Tenacious D

Nov 2 Milwaukee, WI - U.S. Cellular Arena (capacity 12,700)
Beastie Boys/Ben Harper/Crosby & Nash/Tenacious D

More dates will be added - check http://www.beastieboys.com for more information.

The Beastie Boys mini-tour signals one of the biggest artist-organized political events in recent times, joining the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, and Rage Against The Machine in outcry of neocon abuses.

Many believe that the corporatization of the music "industry" has curtailed the political outspokeness seen during the '60s now-romanticized Woodstock era. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young staged an anti-war tour in 2006 to sold-out audiences but were noticeably shut out from mainstream media coverage. Record labels owned by media conglomerations want musicians to keep their politics quiet, but where does the rockstar community stand on presidential endorsements?

The Rolling Stones 2006 album "A Bigger Bang" featured a song called "Sweet Neocon" which may have compromised their chances for national airplay, despite an otherwise great album and amazing single "Rough Justice" with Mick and Keith at the top of their game.

Foo Fighters and Heart have requested the McCain campaign refrain from using their songs ("There Goes My Hero" and "Barracuda" respectively), as have Van Halen, John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, Orleans and Franki Valli & The Four Seasons.

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(OpEdNews Editor) GW is a proud New Yorker, concerned about media manipulation and overconsumption. He believes in fiscal responsibility, small government and strict ethics. He recently changed careers to become an inner city schoolteacher. A firm (more...)

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