Spartanburg Welcomes Home Adia Victoria for a Vigorous Election Awareness Concert
South Carolina is eagerly anticipating the return of blues musician Adia Victoria to her hometown of Spartanburg for an energizing get-out-the-vote concert preceding the November 5 election. The city native, who spent a better part of her early years in the nearby town of Campobello, is no stranger to the limelight with representation in prominent media publications such as the New York Times, NPR, and Rolling Stone. Known for her deeply personal and stirring narrative style, Victoria’s music is often a reflection on the struggles of her youth.
“A lot of my music is the blues and a lot of the blues is about poor circumstances,” Victoria says. “And growing up in Spartanburg back in the ’90s, it was pretty basic stuff.” She expressed her perception on the majority of the population being disengaged from the democratic process, smothered by a spirit of cynicism believing in their own powerlessness.
An inherited sense of duty
Victoria was powerfully influenced by her mother’s civic responsibility who actively participated in the electoral process, both working at the polls and assisting individuals with transport for voting. Translating this sense of calling, Victoria is coming to Spartanburg on October 19 for her inaugural concert at the Northside Harvest Park. The aim is to evoke an awareness of the inherent power within each individual and to encourage the exercise of their rights.
Fundraising for Racial Equity
A collaborative effort, the concert is being hosted by the Spartanburg Initiative for Racial Equity Now, a nonprofit organization working towards equality. The idea was conceived when SIREN co-founder Jason Spencer encountered Victoria at a concert in Greensboro, North Carolina. The shared vision was mutually agreed upon with little to no persuasion.
The concert will mark the countdown till early voting begins. The funds raised will be channelled towards awareness campaigns and local neighborhood visits, encouraging residents to participate in the voting process. The organization plans to ensure voters are well-informed and offer transport facilities for interested individuals on election day.
Stirring the Valley with Soulful Music
Victoria’s performance will take center stage after opening acts from local bands. Her music presents a poignant reflection of her upbringing. Drawing inspiration from her fond childhood memories under a Magnolia tree in Spartanburg to the struggle and frustrations faced by her mother, Victoria’s songs are soulful revelations. “Everything that I write in my music are things that I sometimes am afraid to say,” Victoria says, hoping to help her listeners rediscover facets of themselves.
The stage is set in Spartanburg for Adia Victoria to weave her soulful magic and inspire individuals from different walks of life to exercise their democratic rights with responsibility. With an inherent message in each note and lyrics embedded with personal experiences, victoria’s performance promises to be a unique and powerfully enlightening affair.
