JACKSON BROWNE / BONNIE RAITT / KEB MO : Washington DC 2004
On October 11, 2004, a distinctive blend of folk, blues, and roots rock took place at the MCI Center in Washington, DC, as part of the Vote For Change tour. This politically charged tour was organized in the lead-up to the United States presidential election that year and brought together an array of influential artists and bands who believed in using their musical platforms to encourage civic engagement. The finale concert in the nation’s capital was broadcast widely and featured an extraordinary roster of performers spanning multiple genres and generations.
Among the artists on this stage that night were Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and Keb Mo’, three veteran musicians whose combined presence underscored the evening’s convergence of high lyrical craft and contemporary social relevance. The trio took the stage together for a focused set of four songs that opened their part of the show. The sequence began with World in Motion, the title track of Browne’s 1989 album, which had been written as a call for social awareness and collective agency. The song set a reflective tone while also carrying the tour’s larger message about participation and change.
The second piece in their set was For What It’s Worth, a cover of the classic from Buffalo Springfield that had become an anthem of protest and vigilance since its original release in 1966. Delivered with resonant harmonies and earnest engagement from each performer, the rendition tied contemporary concerns to a broader historical lineage of musical commentary on unrest and public consciousness.
Midway through the sequence was I Am a Patriot, a composition by Steven Van Zandt that Browne and Raitt interpreted together on this night. The song’s declaration of love for one’s country paired with a critique of complacency has made it a meaningful choice for artists looking to balance reverence with challenge, and the live performance highlighted the emotional depth and conviction in the lyrics.
The set concluded with Stand Up (And Be Strong), a piece associated with Keb Mo’ that leans into the blues tradition while reaffirming resilience and solidarity. On this stage, with Raitt and Browne joining, the song served as a fitting conclusion to a collaborative mini-set centered on encouragement and collective resolve.
While the broader concert featured many more artists and extended well beyond this trio’s contributions, the shared performance by Browne, Raitt, and Keb Mo’ stood out for its blend of musical authenticity and conscientious purpose. Each artist brought decades of songwriting and performance experience to the moment, weaving together roots in American folk and blues with a shared sense of urgency about the civic moment. Dedicated fans in attendance and those who tuned in via broadcast were reminded that such shows could be both entertaining and thought-provoking, uniting artistry with an invitation to reflection and action.