Swing-state concerts aim to unseat Bush

NEW YORK (AP) -- In an unprecedented series of concerts in nine swing states, more than 20 musical acts -- including Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and the Dixie Chicks -- will perform fund-raising concerts one month before the Nov. 2 election in an effort to unseat President Bush.
The shows, which will begin Oct. 1 in Pennsylvania, will take an unusual approach: as many as six concerts on a single day in cities across the states expected to decide the November presidential race. Other stops on the tour are North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and the key state in 2000, Florida.
"We're trying to put forward a group of progressive ideals and change the administration in the White House," Springsteen told The Associated Press in the most overtly political statements of his 30-year career. "That's the success or failure, very clear-cut and very simple."
The artists of different generations and genres will tour under the name "Vote For Change," with shows Oct. 1-8. But the money generated will go to America Coming Together, which promises on its Web site to "derail the right-wing Republican agenda by defeating George W. Bush."
The shows will be presented by MoveOn Pac, the electoral arm of the liberal interest group MoveOn.org announced Wednesday.
There was no immediate word on prices for tickets, which will go on sale for all shows Aug. 21. There will be 34 shows in 28 cities. Among them: Springsteen and the E Street Band with R.E.M., John Fogarty and Bright Eyes, Oct. 2 in Cleveland; and Dixie Chicks and James Taylor, Oct. 1 in Pittsburgh and Oct. 2 in Cleveland.