The Suffers’ Kam Franklin Hosting a Virtual Festival and Voting Rally Tonight

Talk about rockin’ the vote. Kam Franklin of Gulf Coast soul band The Suffers is hosting a virtual music festival celebrating “Southern music, poetry, and the importance of casting your vote,” this evening.

Billed as both a rally and concert, the free event will feature more than 20 musical acts and poets, including the Bayou City’s own DJ Shante, NOLA trombonist Big Sam, Austin guitarist Jackie Venson, and Nashville rising star Devon Gilfillian. And of course, there’ll be a set from Franklin and The Suffers. The lineup, curated by Franklin herself, highlights “independent artists and more Southern artists of color” working to “grow and change the world together through the power of music,” the Houston frontwoman said in a statement.

During the concert, which is being held a week before Election Day, music lovers will also learn how to check their voting status, confirm nearby poll locations, and learn more about what’s on their ballot at event co-sponsor HeadCount’s website. Proceeds of the event will benefit nonprofit Raices Texas, which provides free and low-cost legal services to immigrants and refugees, and Houston’s Shape Community Center.

The festival couldn’t come at a better time either—from October 27–28, many Harris County polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and eight polling places will be open for 24-hour voting on Oct 29.

Oct 27. Free. Online. More info and RSVP at musikhouston.com.