By JAKE COYLE, AP Entertainment Writer
That's the question many clipboard-wielding volunteers ask themselves as they solicit festival-goers at Bonnaroo, the massive annual music festival better known for dancing and campsite carousing than political activism. But going back to Woodstock, music festivals have long had a political connection, and some organizations are seeing a shift in eagerness from fans.
Headcount is a nonprofit organization founded by Marc Brownstein, the bassist from the jam band the Disco Biscuits, and Andy Bernstein to get people registered to vote. What makes Headcount an interesting barometer of political interest at music festivals is that it does almost all of its work at festivals and concerts.
Headcount will be at all the major festivals this summer as well as along for the ride on tours by the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters. As much as any group, Headcount is trying to bring political involvement to summer concertgoing.
"The fans are significantly more receptive to the idea of stopping and taking the time to talk about voter registration right now," said Brownstein, speaking on his band's tour bus before playing a late set Friday night. "I think it's changing and it's changing rapidly because we're able to use the platform of music to get people thinking about things outside of music."
Bernstein acknowledges the generally young festival audiences have in recent years generally not thought of the political process as relating to them.
"But if there's a core purpose to Headcount, it's to take people who are outside of the process and bring them into the process," said Bernstein.
Headcount has thrived since being created in 2004, largely because of artist involvement. Bob Weir, formerly of the Grateful Dead and now a member of the Dead, is a board member.
Young voter turnout has been a factor in this year's election already, helping to fuel Barack Obama's rise to become the presumptive Democratic nominee. Among whites under 30, support for Obama grew from an 18-point margin through Super Tuesday to 38 points in later primaries — including a 60-point edge last month in Oregon.
Headcount's goal is to get 100,000 people registered this summer. They take registration for those declaring in any party and are on pace with 20,000 thus far. Early returns at Bonnaroo were looking promising.
They aren't the only gig in town. Rock the Vote is also here, as are numerous environmental groups.
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On the Net:
http://www.headcount.org
http://www.bonnaroo
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