- Despite the media backlash towards American artists who criticise President Bush, a whole host of musicians are expected to confirm their support for the MoveOn campaign later today.
Bruce Springsteen, REM, the Dixie Chicks, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffett, John Mellencamp and the Dave Matthews Band are expected to confirm they will play at one or more gigs in support of the MoveOn campaign which "advocates a change in government". The gigs will all take place in the run up to this Autumn's presidential elections in so called "battleground" states like Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri and Florida.
The project, spearheaded by Springsteen's manager Jon Landau and REM manager Bertis Bowns, aims to stage different concerts in different cities on the same night, with talk of a major concert in Miami featuring most of the artists involved on the same bill.
Various artists involved in the programme will be discussing the gigs and the MoveOn campaign on US media over the next 24 hours.