2008 Woodie Awards
Politically-conscious musicians put platform to stage
Rock the Vote campaign gains momentum as bands perform on campus green
Scott Harrison
Issue date: 9/30/04 Section: Entertainment
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On Saturday, Sept. 25, SGA sponsored a Battle of the Bands on the campus green in coordination with MTV's Rock the Vote program. The event attracted students from all over campus on the beautiful, sunny day. The participating bands competed for a prize of $50 to Alto Music, but there was much more at stake than just money at this Battle of the Bands.
Rock the Vote is a non-profit organization committed to increasing voter turnout among young people by incorporating entertainment into the voting process. Students who attended the Battle of the Bands were encouraged to register to vote and obtained information on how to get their absentee ballots. MTV provided stickers and posters for the event which proved to be enjoyable for all those gathered.
The general consensus of those attending the event is that it is crucial for the youth of America to vote in the next election. There are a lot of issues right now that directly affect our age group, and many students mentioned that as a reason to vote. Sophomore Rob Celletti, who opened the show with his guitar-drummer duo, Middleway, explained, "The election in November is going to be so important. I'm about to go into the real world and I should exercise my right to vote. What good is the right to vote if you don't use it?"
All of the bands that performed at the event brought their own style to the stage. While no two acts were alike, it seemed as if all of the performers realized the difference they were making and the impact they had on their audience. Nine Pints Later, one of the bands who performed at the battle, opened their short set with a cover of Rage Against the Machine's "Take the Power Back." The lyrics are deeply rooted in politics, stressing the connection between music and politics and the way in which music can affect college aged students and provide a way in which to express their political views. After the band's powerful performance, Mike Lowe, lead singer of Nine Pints Later, said, "It's good to stress the power of voting, and I feel that by not voting, you throw your rights away. Music is just a really easy way for people to say what they have to say."