Last weekend at the Download Festival, Tom Morello and Nandi Bushell covered John Lennon’s “Power To The People.” This happened during Morello’s set, which included songs like “Like A Stone,” a Rage Against the Machine medley, and “Killing In The Name.” Bushell, a teenage drum prodigy, joined Morello as a special guest towards the end of his set. During the performance of “Power To The People,” Morello and the band stepped aside to let Bushell unleash a quick drum solo.
The performance of “Power To The People” was especially poignant as Barclays Bank, along with Isle Of Wight and Latitude festivals, officially withdrew from sponsoring the Download Festival. Quite a few artists had dropped out of the showcase in protest, including Gruff Rhys, Kneecap, Sprints, Lambrini Girls, Gel, Rachel Chinouriri, Cardinals, and NewDad. Morello took to X (formerly Twitter) after the news of Barclays’ withdrawal to reveal that he had been working behind the scenes to force the bank’s withdrawal.
According to Morello, “A bank funding war crimes has no place at music festivals. The fact that Download has listened to its musicians and cut ties with Barclays Bank is a testament to the power of artists taking collective action for human rights. I’ve been pushing hard for this behind the scenes for some time, and I salute all the artists who have taken a stand to help make this historic withdrawal happen.”
Barclays’ withdrawal left a significant mark on the event, and Morello’s act of defiance by covering Lennon’s “Power To The People” made an even more meaningful statement. The crowd was highly receptive to their performance, and the event has celebrated the power of the artists when they come together to stand up for a cause. Bushell’s appearance highlights the importance of recognizing emerging artists and giving them a platform to amplify their talent and voice
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