During the last presidential election, Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., John Fogerty and other rockers staged the Vote for Change Tour. This fall, hip-hop stalwarts the Beastie Boys are undertaking the Get Out and Vote '08 Tour, which will visit St. Paul's Roy Wilkins Auditorium on Nov. 1. Also performing that night will be eclectic rocker Ben Harper and Tenacious D, the comedy-rock duo starring Jack Black.
"We are going to do a few shows in hopes that we can remind people to vote," the Beastie Boys said in a statement. "This election is too important, too much is at stake to stay at home. We hope that you can come out, have a nice night, dance, sing, get your freak on, and then wake up the next morning and get everyone that you possibly can to get out and vote."
They added: "We are very excited about [Barack] Obama. Hope you all feel the same."
The Beastie Boys have announced three shows thus far (Oct. 28 in Richmond, Va., and Nov. 2 in Milwaukee) and plan others in battleground states. Supporting acts in other cities include Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson and Santogold.
Tickets for the Nov. 1 show, priced at $37.50, will go on sale next Friday at Ticketmaster outlets.
JON BREAM
