On October 16th, the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City hosted “Change Rocks” a fundraiser for Obama, mainly featuring Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel.

Some tickets were priced at $25,000 for the event, which was Billy Joel’s first supporting Obama. The setlist featured collaborative versions of each other’s songs including “New York State Of Mind”, “Sprit In The Night” and “River of Dreams”.

Barack Obama himself appeared onstage towards the end of the event, according to MSNBC…

He called the event “a magical evening” and said he wouldn’t ruin it with a long speech. Then he delivered a speech comparing the struggling, everyday people in Joel’s and Springsteen’s songs to the people he’s met on the campaign trail.He warned supporters not to get overconfident because he leads in the polls.

“Don’t underestimate the capacity of Democrats to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Don’t underestimate our ability to screw it up,” Obama said. “I want everybody running scared.”

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A lot of artists are performing in support of Obama, the list keeps growing but includes Bruce Springsteen, Vampire Weekend, The National, The Breeders and many more.

Now I know that Jay-Z is a hip-hop artist and not really guitar-centric in any way. However, he did come on stage as the headliner of Glastonbury 2008 with a Fender guitar over his shoulder, which he used to make fun of Oasis with. Also, I think its really cool that he’s doing these free shows, because not only does it give people a fun evening, but younger fans of his are more likely to listen to Jay-Z than anyone else when it comes to voting.

The free concerts will be taking place in Detroit, MI and Miami, FL.

Ticket info for the shows:

(October 4th) Detroit MI, Cobo Arena

(October 5th) Miami, FL Bayfront Park Amphitheater

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As you sit here reading this, the 2008 Democratic convention is well underway in Denver. To some, Denver may seem out of reach. But fortunately for Obama, the indie rockers are on his side. After all, what better way to infiltrate the youthful minds of America than through music? On Wednesday, bands like Silversun Pickups, Cold War Kids and Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah joined forces with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to bring you Unconventional ’08 and, of course, show support for Obama.

Videos of these performances are beginning to pop up on YouTube. You can check out some of them here:

Cold War Kids – St. John
Nada Surf – Blankest Year

Later in the evening, when all the guitar amps and distortion pedals were put away, indie artists such as Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, Zooey Deschanel of She & Him and Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley gathered at the Manifest Hope Gallery for some acoustic jams. Drawing out hipsters in record-setting numbers (which I can only imagine resembled an endless mirage of flannel shirts, unwashed hair and super-tight pants), this is the event that has been receiving the majority of attention in music blogs. See for yourself here.

And if you aren’t jealous enough yet that you missed this once-in-a-lifetime chance to shotgun PBR with the guy who plays Jin on Lost, then why not rub it in a little bit more and check out the awesome artwork that was on display in the gallery.

So, the 4th of July is tomorrow and with that fast approaching I thought I’d post about some more political stuff crossing over into the music world.

It appears that Jeff Tweedy of Wilco fame will be doing another Obama Benefit.

“Technically billed as “Jeff Tweedy & Friends,” the Chicago singer/songwriter will take the stage at his hometown’s Park West venue alongside Otis Clay on July 11 for a night of music benefiting the Obama Victory Fund. The Illinois senator will make an appearance as well, so if you’ve got a couple hundo to spare, head here to purchase a little piece of the future (and a ticket to a benefit concert).”

Again, a cool way of getting involved and doing something if you care to. Happy 4th of July.

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Earlier this week I reported on Barack Obama’s Portland, OR rally where The Decemberists opened the proceeding’s. The rally drew an astonishing record crowd of 75,000 people and was covered everywhere in the media.

Well now, Conservatives are claiming that it wasn’t actually Barack Obama that drew all those people, it was The Decemberists. They contend that the “liberally-biased media” didn’t mention the fact that The Decemberists opened the rally and thats who a lot of people were there to see. Pitchfork Media for once is pretty accurate and successfully refutes these claims.

“Also worth taking into account: the Obama rally announcement doesn’t even bill The Decemberists as such, instead mentioning “special guest” performers Colin Meloy, Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Moen.”

“The Campaign Spot post cites a Chicagoist review’s estimate that 10,000 people attended a free Decemberists concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s Millennium Park last year as evidence that the Decemberists can attract large numbers to free events. (The same post also cites Chris Funk’s suggestion that the band may have drawn as many as 20,000 that day– a lovely notion, but bogus: Jay Pritzker Pavilion’s capacity caps at 11,000.) It’s also worth noting that the Chicago Decemberists show in question also featured a symphony orchestra, and the people in that orchestra probably have fans and friends and family too.”

“But hey, let’s play this game anyway: supposing for a moment that the Decemberists really did draw 10,000 of those 75,000 people to Waterfront Park this past Sunday, that leaves 65,000 who came solely to see Obama speak– still a landmark for his campaign. And that, of course, assumes Decemberists fans and Obama supporters are mutually exclusive entities. Um, LOL.”

I for one don’t doubt Obama’s popularity and drawing power and I know that even at a free show its unlikely The Decemberists would draw over 10,000 people especially if not even billed as The Decemberists! Find some real issues people…

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