Concert Highlights - 9/2-3

With the RNC is bringing a whole slew of terrible, terrible people to our fair cities, at least we get visits from some pretty great artists here to protest. During the second day of the convention, September 2nd, Anti-Flag, Dead Prez, Matisyahu, I Self Devine, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Wookie Foot, B Dolan and Prolyphic will be at the capital making their voices heard. The music is free from 12 to 7 on the state capital lawn and includes speeches from Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin and global warming activist Will Steger.

Later that night starting at 7 PM, even more politically-conscious music at the Fitzgerald Theatre with the Provention Concert, featuring Nellie McKay, Dan Wilson, The Honeydogs, The New Standards, Haley Bonar, The Twilight Hours, Jeremy Messersmith and Maria Isa, and hints at the potential of "super-secret guests".

The show costs $20 and promises to leave you feeling more hopeful for the future than watching protesters get beat on television.

Oh, and as long as we're talking politics, Rage Against The Machine plays at the Target Center on the 3rd. This is, of course, just a coincidence, and the band will certainly keep silent about the concurrent convention. The ticket will cost you $60, but it'll be worth it to be surrounded by like minds rather than riot police and cigar-chomping suits.


While it is not particularly nice having the Republicans storm our cities, it's clear that the artistic community is in full swing and willing to stand up against the onslaught. There's a lot to take in this week; be sure to catch something positive.