Jim James is advocating for voter participation in electoral swing districts, and he’s using music to do so. The singer announced his The Future is Voting Tour on Wednesday (Sept. 19), in association with voter-engagement non-profit HeadCount.
Benjamin Booker and Made of Oak (aka Nick Sanborn of Sylvan Esso) will be among many to be announced artists to join James on the six-show college town stint. The event is part concert, part town hall meeting with a non-partisan forum where candidates will be able to speak to students and answer questions. HeadCount also created an Indiegogo funding page where anyone can donate to receive special experiences and commemorative items from the tour.
“The importance of getting involved at this moment in time cannot be overstated. This isn’t only a Get Out The Vote concert,” James said of the tour. “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.”
See the list of dates below.
October 7 – Austin, TX, Emo’s
October 9 – San Marcos, TX, Texas State University (Students only)
October 10 – Milwaukee, WI, UW Milwaukee (Students only)
October 15 – Athens, GA, Georgia Theater
October 16 – Indianola, IA, Simpson College (Students only)
October 17 – Urbana, IL, Canopy Club