Power to the People 2026: festival fund and VIP revenue

The stage is quiet, the work continues

Power to the People took place at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland on 3 October. Its official site has now thanked artists, activists, partners, volunteers and fans while directing supporters to the Power to the People Festival Fund, which backs civic engagement, social justice and human-rights organisations.

Tom Morello curated a bill featuring Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Public Enemy, Jack Black, Dropkick Murphys, Cypress Hill, Killer Mike and Serj Tankian, with Bruce Springsteen as a special guest. The post-event message focuses on keeping the civic infrastructure active after the music ends.

VIP as impact finance

The festival says a portion of every ticket sale and 100% of net VIP-ticket proceeds support VoteRiders and HeadCount. This positions premium admission not only as a service upgrade but as purpose-linked finance. Credibility now depends on transparent definitions of net proceeds and later publication of measurable impact.

Freedom Village as useful activation

Freedom Village brought nonprofit and community partners into the visitor programme. Voter registration, advocacy, mutual aid and local action became an experience rather than a logo wall. The next layer of measurement can include registrations, volunteer sign-ups, donations and repeat supporters.

Livestream rights remain separate

MS NOW served as the official livestream destination. Public availability does not automatically grant retransmission rights to another channel. FestivalTV therefore reports on the partnership but does not place the completed stream in its own linear service.

Business takeaway

Power to the People shows how VIP, ticket income, nonprofit space and a media partnership can form one values-led product. Long-term value now depends on quantified impact and a credible follow-up programme.