Tom Morello Plays 'Soldier in the Army of Love' on 'Kimmel'

Tom Morello performed his recent song "Soldier in the Army of Love" on Jimmy Kimmel Live, stepping in for Bruce Springsteen, who dropped out of the late-night show's Brooklyn week due to a scheduling conflict.

The Rage Against the Machine frontman was joined on stage by his son, Roman Morello, and several backup singers. Roman showed off his guitar skills during the performance, playing his electric guitar behind his head. The pair closed the track by raising their fists to the sky.

The song comes off Morello's new LP, Everyone Gets Everything They Want, which dropped last week via Mom + Pop Music. The album features production from Tyler Smyth, Carl Restivo, Zakk Cervini, Dan Carey, and Sam Nelson Harris, with guest appearances from Serj Tankian, Kneecap, Beartooth, and Roman Morello.

The television appearance previews a much larger gathering Morello has organized for the fall. His Power to the People Festival is set for Oct. 3 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, where Springsteen — the man he replaced on Kimmel — is confirmed to appear.

The lineup runs deep. Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters, Joan Baez, Public Enemy, Killer Mike, Brittany Howard, Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black, Serj Tankian, Grandson, the Neighborhood Kids, Taylor Momsen, Matt Cameron, the Linda Lindas, and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels are all booked. Artist Shepard Fairey will perform a DJ set.

Morello framed the event in explicitly political terms. "The Power to the People festival is about freedom, justice, equality and rock & roll," he said in a statement. "It's about the power everyday human beings have when they come together through music, art, community, and action. We're honored to bring this incredible lineup to the DC area for a day that celebrates the spirit of activism, creativity, and hope."

The Kimmel appearance carried its own Brooklyn texture. The show's Brooklyn residency is being taped at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House, and Monday night's guests also included Amy Schumer and Howard Stern.

With a new album in stores, a network television slot behind him, and a festival bringing Springsteen, Baez, and Public Enemy to a single Maryland stage on Oct. 3, Morello is positioning the coming months as a sustained argument for activism through music.