My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James will headline a series of concerts dubbed “The Future Is Voting Tour,” held in association with HeadCount. The run consists of six nonpartisan multi-act shows in college towns located within electoral “swing district” to promote voter participation. Benjamin Booker and Made Of Oak (Nick Sanborn of Sylvan Esso) will also perform along with many others that will be announced as the tour begins.
Up first is a late-night open-to-the-public event at Emo’s in Austin on October 7. Next are shows for students at Texas State University in San Marcos on October 9 and at the University Of Wisconsin’s Milwaukee campus on October 10. The Future Is Voting Tour continues at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Georgia on October 15. From there, a show for students will be held at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa on October 16 before the finale at the Canopy Club in Urbana, Illinois on October 17.
“The importance of getting involved at this moment in time cannot be overstated. This isn’t only a Get Out The Vote concert,” said James in a statement. “This is a learning moment aimed at college students to motivate them to vote, regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum. Each stop on the tour purposefully takes place in a contested electoral district or state for this important midterm election, where students and young voters have the ability to dramatically affect the outcome of this tremendous moment in history. Please join special surprise guests and myself at these events with the goal of truly inspiring thought, discourse, and participation.”
Here’s more information on what to expect:
“The Future is Voting Tour” is part concert, part town hall meeting, during which James will perform a solo set alongside performances from Booker, Made of Oak and others soon to be announced. The meeting segment of the tour will include a non-partisan forum where candidates and their representatives will be invited to speak directly to students and take their toughest questions.
Voter-engagement non-profit (501c3) HeadCount put together the tour in conjunction with Jim James and will be underwriting the run in its entirety. Fans can make donations to HeadCount’s Indiegogo funding page in exchange for “special experiences and commemorative items from the tour.” Ticketing information for the Emo’s show is forthcoming. Each of the other dates will be free for students and some will be webcast live on YouTube.
