Beastie Boys to headline Richmond vote concert

By: Melissa Ruggieri Richmond Times-Dispatch | WSLS 10
Published: October 11, 2008

The Beastie Boys used to implore you to fight for your right to party.

Now they want to remind Richmonders to use their right to vote.

The Beastie trio has corralled an eclectic lineup of Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones and Santogold for the Swing State Voter Awareness Tour and will bring it to the Richmond Coliseum at 7 p.m. Oct. 28.

Tickets for the concert are $35 and go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the Coliseum box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling (804) 262-8100 or at www.livenation.com.

As one of three announced shows -- the others are in St. Paul, Minn., and Milwaukee -- the Richmond date was chosen because Virginia is a battleground state in the upcoming presidential election.

Along with the performances, representatives from Rock the Vote also will be on site at the Coliseum to distribute information about local polling sites.

Though the Beastie Boys are remembered for their '80s party anthems, in recent years, the group has offered more thoughtful comment in its music. Their 2004 album (and the last one with lyrics), "To the 5 Boroughs," was loaded with political commentary, most of it aimed at President Bush.

Sheryl Crow, who also performs in Richmond next Saturday at a benefit concert for the Genworth Children's Advantage Classic, has also often shared her political voice, including several songs on her newest album, "Detours."

This will be the first time Johnson, Jones and Santogold -- who opened Coldplay's summer tour -- have performed in Richmond.