On Sunday (10/7) in Main Street Garden Park in Dallas, bands Spoon and Polyphonic Spree, Sparta and others played the Buffalo Tree Festival, which was a Get Out the Vote effort before voter registration deadlines pass. Appearing alongside an array of Democratic candidates from Texas, and parents and survivors of Parkland, was the national headline stealing candidate for US Senate and former punk rocker, Beto O'Rourke. Hearing Beto in person, one is reminded of another young and inspiring junior Senator from Illinois... and by far the funniest part of the festival was watching headliners, Britt Daniel from Spoon and Tim Delaughter from the Polyphonic Spree literally ignored backstage as people swarmed Beto for handshakes and selfies.

On stage Britt Daniel announced Spoon were doing a Clash cover, "Clampdown," which was a tip of the hat to Beto, who quoted the song in a debate with Ted Cruz. You can watch video of that (and Beto's speech) below and pictures from the whole festival are in the gallery above.

--

photos and words by Gabi Porter