All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Remember the Sesame Street segment "One of These Things," where you had to spot the outsider? I can't get it out of my head after reading Live Nation's press release for its upcoming package concert This Land is Your Land: A Tribute to John Steinbeck, Woody Guthrie and the American Spirit. Guthrie was a tireless working-class hero. John Steinbeck (pictured) penned critiques of capitalism like Grapes of Wrath that made him almost as many enemies as friends.
Live Nation, meanwhile, is a monolithic Clear Channel spin-off taking aim at the major labels by signing their previous blockbusters like Madonna, Shakira, U2, Jay-Z and more to massive contracts, all while building a ticketing service that could take down the hated Ticketmaster.
In other words, not exactly Lenny Small.
That said, This Land is Your Land carries the imprimatur of both Steinbeck and Guthrie's family foundations, who will nab a portion of the proceeds to keep their patriarchs' respective legacies alive. Their influence will also be documented in an exhibit featuring photos, art, novels, film and more.
this audio or video is no longer availableActs confirmed for the celebration include The Black Keys, Cat Power, Sheryl Crow, Henry Rollins, Son Volt, Social Distortion's Mike Ness and Woody Guthrie's granddaughter Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion. You can even donate food to the show, which will be funneled onward to a Northern California food bank.
So far, so social. Activism? Check. Climate change awareness? Check. Civil rights? Right. Maybe Live Nation belongs in the picture, after all. You decide, below if possible.
Photo: Courtesy of The Palladin Group
See also:
- Happy Birthday, Woody Guthrie!
- The Black Keys Kill Nerds, Merge Sonics
- Investors Like Live Nation's Resiliency, Ticketing Plan
- The Rolling Stones Deny Rumored Live Nation Album Deal
- EMI Loses Stones, Scores Humiliation Hat Trick
- Is Denny's Rockstar Menu a Sign of the Apocalypse?
- Tastes Like Selling Out? Mountain Dew Launches Singles-Only Label
- Poll: Is There Still Such a Thing as Selling Out?
- Give Peace a Price Tag
- Your Next Investment: An Indie Rock Band?
- Jared Leto Hits Back, Slams Virgin/EMI Lawsuit
