Live music provides a space for people to build community with one another over a shared love for an artist or music in general. Whether it be music festivals, stadium or arena concerts, or intimate shows at small venues, musical performances have fostered a sense of belonging and connection among individuals. Most significantly, live music has not only been a place to simply go see your favorite artist or band but also a way for musicians to get fans involved in activism and educate concert-goers on important issues.
Live music and activism have always been closely connected for generations, particularly within protests and social movements. In the ‘50s and ‘60s, during the Civil Rights Movement, music was a vital part of inspiring unity and action. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, and Nina Simone were deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, using their music to advocate for social justice and racial equality. Additionally, songs such as “We Shall Overcome” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” became anthems of the movement.
The Civil Rights Movement utilized music to inspire social change and unity. (Photo via The New York Times)
Benefit concerts have also been a way for artists to inspire activism. One notable example is Live Aid, a benefit concert held on July 13, 1985 that raised funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The concert was held in London and Philadelphia with performances by famous musicians such as Queen, David Bowie, Tina Turner, and Elton John, among many others. While Live Aid was primarily focused on raising funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, it significantly increased awareness of global hunger and poverty, inspiring other large-scale charity concerts and initiatives. Although there has been some controversy regarding allegations of misspent funds, Live Aid overall had a significant impact beyond the famine in Ethiopia.
Most recently, at the beginning of this year, musicians banded together for the Fire Aid benefit concert to raise funds for those affected by the Los Angeles fires. The concert raised about $100 million, which would go towards immediate relief such as housing and food assistance. The funds also supported long-term recovery efforts such as business and worker support and environmental remediation.
In this day and age of live music, artists have found new ways to reach their fan base through social media and online platforms.
In 2024, many artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Green Day, and Gracie Abrams partnered with HeadCount, a nonpartisan organization that works to register young voters, ahead of the 2024 presidential election. This is not the first time HeadCount has partnered with artists on tour; the organization has also teamed up with singers such as Ariana Grande, Harry Styles, and Billie Eilish, among other artists, in the past. Popular artists collaborating with Headcount during the 2024 presidential election was a unique and clever way to get young people to vote, especially during an election that was historic and unpredictable.
Headcount, a nonpartisan organization that works to register young voters, has partnered with several musicians over the years to encourage fans to vote. (Photo courtesy of Headcount)
During her “Short n’ Sweet” arena tour, Sabrina Carpenter logged 35,814 voter registrations, as well as an additional 263,087 voters to engage outside of registering (e.g. checking polling location and registration status). Through giveaways and sweepstakes, Carpenter engaged more voters through HeadCount than any other artist in 2024.
Additionally, Green Day’s “Saviors Tour” registered over 7,900 new voters and engaged over 61,000 voters through in-person activations, breaking their record for most voters engaged for a single tour.
Similarly, Gracie Abrams partnered with Propeller, a digital platform that aims to inspire activism and build movements for social change, to support HeadCount and Planned Parenthood on her “The Secret of Us” tour. Through Propeller, $41,858 was raised and 54,371 actions were generated. At Abrams’s concert in Los Angeles at the Greek Theater, representatives from HeadCount interacted with fans as they encouraged people to vote, and a Planned Parenthood booth was set up inside the venue, educating concert-goers on reproductive rights.
Musicians have also created their own initiatives to spread awareness about various important issues.
Olivia Rodrigo, who is a vocal advocate for reproductive rights, launched the Fund 4 Good in conjunction with her GUTS world tour. Fund 4 Good is a global initiative that is “committed to building an equitable and just future for all women, girls and people seeking reproductive health freedom.” A portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales go towards the Fund 4 Good, which supports organizations that Rodrigo has partnered with throughout her tour, such as the National Network of Abortion Funds, Women’s Shelters Canada, and Women Against Violence Europe.
Singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo frequently uses her platform to advocate for reproductive rights and encourage fans to donate to Fund 4 Good. (Photo by Good Good Good)
Noah Kahan, who openly advocates for mental health awareness and candidly discusses his struggles with anxiety and depression, launched The Busyhead Project in 2023. The Busyhead Project aims to provide mental health resources to end stigma surrounding mental health, as well as raise funds for mental health organizations. At each stop of Kahan’s “We’ll All Be Here Forever” tour, a Busyhead Project Action Village and Community Wall was present, where fans could access mental health resources and connect with mental health organizations.
Music has the power to mobilize political and social change and amplify the voices of those who wish to inspire collective action. As the world has evolved, so has the role of activism and the way in which people encourage advocacy amongst individuals. With the emergence of social media and digital platforms, as well as the fact that the music industry is ever-changing, music and activism have continued to be closely intertwined and sustain conversations about important issues. From songs sung at protests organized by social movements to the emotional and passionate fervor of a crowd at a benefit concert, live music and activism are forever unified to strive towards creating a more equitable world.
