Top music acts to play for Kerry campaign

IN a series of concerts in nine swing states, more than 20 musical acts - including Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and the Dixie Chicks - will perform fund-raising concerts one month before the November 2 election in an effort to unseat President Bush.

The shows, which will begin on October 1 in Pennsylvania, will take in cities across the states expected to decide the November presidential race. Other stops on the tour are North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and the key state in 2000, Florida.

“We’re trying to put forward a group of progressive ideals and change the administration in the White House,” Springsteen said.