Will you let your voice be heard on Election Day? The right to vote is a privilege to all American citizens, and we encourage you to get out and vote! Music has had the power to change the world for the better, and unify communities around the world. Tomorrow, November 8, take this opportunity to make history! Here are 8 reasons why music lovers should get out and vote.

1. Music has always been a harmonious tool for political change

Capitol Theatre alumni like Joan Baez, have dedicated their lives to stand up for causes and work to make positive impacts in our political system. Iconic musicians like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tracy Chapman, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Marley, to name a few, have all written songs with messages meant to inspire, challenge, and change the way we think about the world around us. Music has constantly been a means to an end.

2. Having a voice is power

The First Amendment is a right that Americans hold sacred. Can you imagine what the world would be like if the United States censored and denied our freedom of speech? In 1985, The Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) formed with the goal to increase parental control over the access of children to music. Those Parental Advisory stickers you see? They all started with Prince's “Darling Nikki.” When artists like Dee Snider, Frank Zappa, and John Denver testified before the Senate Commerce, the outcome of the labels were generic, unlike the original idea of a label categorizing the explicit lyrics.

3. Your vote has the power to affect change and make progress

Yes, you are voting for the next President and Vice President of the United States, but what is not covered in the media is that you are also voting for the President’s Cabinet, Supreme Court Justices, Executive Office of the President, and more. Your vote does count! Research the issues that are important to you, find what you believe in, and vote for the candidate you feel will stand up for your beliefs the most.

4. Both voting and music challenge the status quo

Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello once said, “100% of music is political.” Music will either support the status quo or challenge the status quo. Your ability to vote is no different from the ability of a band to get on stage and have an audience rethink how society operates in its current state. As a community it is our duty to stand up for what is right.

5. Some music genres are inherently political

Arguably one of the most politically charged genres in music is punk rock. Punk rock musicians strive to talk about societal issues and address them in a format that you can’t ignore. The punk scene is one of the most inclusive in the music industry. Despite its demeanor, it allows and encourages voices to be heard. Choosing to not vote is choosing to ignore the issues around you. Turn up the speakers and listen to the lyrics telling you how important your vote is to this country’s future.

6. Voting directly affects the state of the music industry

The political topic of net neutrality is an important issue to musicians that are looking to promote their music on the internet. Net neutrality keeps the internet free and open, without allowing Internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict access. Internet access is a gift, and a great tool for discovery, keeping it open and accessible helps musicians get their message and music to the world. The current candidates have different positions on this topic, and as a musician or music lover, research each candidate’s position on this topic and vote to make sure your music is heard and not restricted.

7. Musicians want you to vote

The world’s top musicians partner with organizations in the effort to urge music lovers across the nation to take part in the democratic process. Organizations like HeadCount work to engage youth in the political process by blending the music and entertainment community with the need for political outreach. Their mission is to reach young millennials and musicians where they already are, at concerts and online, to inform and empower. Over the last 12 years, cofounders Mark Brownstein of the Disco Biscuits, and Andy Bernstein, have gathered artists and bands like My Morning Jacket, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Joe Russo's Almost Dead, and more to get the word out to vote!

8. Just like the music we listen to, voting reveals our values as individuals

Politicians are responsible for organizing communities and acting on the desires of the greater population. When voting, an individual is expressing what matters most to them in a social world. Whether or not we realize it, listening to music is an intimate look inside what our values are and how they are perceived. Both voting and enjoying music are social experiences involving unique like-minded individuals. Music allows strangers to feel connected to one another without the need for direct communication. Music brings people closer together more than any other expressive outlet. Know what you love, listen to what you love, and vote for what you love!

Did you miss Jam The Vote at The Capitol Theatre? Pledge your vote on jamthevote.org and watch the show for FREE until the end of Election Day!

Photos by: Marc Millman