Substance is a nonprofit booking and promotions group based in Minneapolis, Minnesota devoted to merging music, art, and nonpartisan progressive activism.
By harnessing the power of music and art, Substance motivates people from all backgrounds to engage in the burgeoning global movement for justice, equity and sustainability. In the process, Substance works to break down issue barriers, create unlikely alliances, and bridge the gap between discourse and action through art and music.
Founded by three young college activists in September 2007, Substance has been working to change the way live music is presented and thought about – with a focus on bringing music back to its roots within struggle, to promote music as beyond entertainment.
Substance independently produced the Ripple Effect event at the Republican National Convention at the Minnesota State Capitol September 2nd, 2008, which featured Anti-Flag, Michael Franti, Dead Prez, Wookie Foot, Matisyahu, I Self Devine and a special appearance by Rage Against the Machine. Since that time, Substance has continued to form alliances within both the music industry and activist community by producing local events and coordinating activist efforts for national tours.
Substance works via two paths – one is promoting activism through music and the arts by booking and coordinating events, consulting organizations on event planning, and sponsoring shows, and two is by providing contract services aimed at reducing the negative environmental and social impacts of shows. See our Services page for more on our event services, and our Media page for examples of our past work.
“We seek to encourage unity among progressive activists while reaching out to broader audiences. We seek to promote independent, socially conscious artists. We seek to propel a new wave of progressive action through art and music.”
See our Support page for how you can get involved.
