Election season isn’t just about endless ads and cringey soundbites on social media. Believe it or not, there is a fun aspect to one of our most significant civic duties, including a pair of upcoming concerts organized by #iVoted.
You can think of the two free shows as a path to participating, with the first encouraging attendees to register and the second to vote. That initial concert is part of the VOTE 2024 tour organized with help from Wisconsin-based Drive Agency, which lined up Tee Grizzley and Kash Doll for an Oct. 29 show at the Riverside Theater.
"Politics is where people are some of the time, but culture is where people are all of the time,” Drive Agency founder and CEO Jessy Tolkan said in a release. “We are thrilled to be bringing this concert series to the people so they can feel excited and ready to vote! It couldn't be more critical for people to use their power at the ballot box to make their voices heard.”
Tolkan is also the board chair for HeadCount, a nonpartisan organization that promotes participation in democracy through music and popular culture. Along those lines, anyone interested in attending the Oct. 29 concert can score a free ticket by visiting the RSVP webpage and choosing any of the options listed, including checking their voter-registration status.
Besides the night’s entertainment, attendees will also enjoy free local pizza courtesy of Pizza to the Polls, Liquid Death water and other non-alcoholic beverages, treats from Tony’s Chocolonely, and offerings from other surprise partners.
“Culture is a buzzword, but activations like this are what it means in real life,” Headcount executive director Lucille Wenegieme said in the release. “We are proud to support talented people lending their voice to getting informed, voting and catching a good vibe. It’s a combination that is missing from the political conversation right now.”
While that conversation is never really over, this election season eventually will be — something you can celebrate at the second announced concert. Grace Weber and Wave Chapelle will do the entertainment honors at that show, which takes place Nov. 5 (election night) at X-Ray Arcade.
“We’ve entered our Impact Concert era,” #iVoted CEO Emily White said in a release. “Statistically increasing voter turnout and providing data to the civic community will always be our core mission. We’re excited to announce more #iVoted Concerts for this election season … while also looking ahead to producing more free shows in 2025 and beyond by targeting specific fans and artists to have a tangible impact on increasing voter turnout, a positive impact on the climate and more.”
Similar to #iVoted concerts in past years, there are a couple different ways to get into the show at no cost via the RSVP webpage:
- Those of legal voting age can share a selfie from outside their polling place or at home with a blank, unmarked ballot.
- Those who have not yet reached voting age can share which election they’ll be 18 years old for.
- Ineligible voters simply need to share why they’re excited to attend the show.
For more information on both shows, visit the #iVoted Concerts webpage.
