More than 3,000 people poured into the Kansas City Power & Light District Sunday for a free concert and the chance to hear area politicians speak.

Adjunct Professor of Psychology Tony Brown, who’s also running for State Representative in the 10th District, which includes Baldwin City, Wellsville, the southern tip of Lawrence and parts of Ottawa, made a minute and half appearance on stage following the Wombats, a band from Liverpool.

Brown said a majority of the people who attended the Rock the Vote event were Kansas City area residents not from the 10th District, but he encouraged the majority of young voters to get out and vote, regardless.

“Cynics often say that people of college-age generation don’t vote because they don’t take the time to learn about the issues, and the issues that they are concerned about, the cynics will say are unimportant anyway,” Brown said. “I think that’s wrong on both counts. I think that the issues college students are concerned about are just as valid as concerns that any other group and population are interested in.”

Brown said college students are almost in a better position to learn about issues and consider points of view because they are actively involved in learning already.

“I encouraged the people that were there to prove the cynics wrong and find out about the issues and get out and vote and voice their opinion,” he said. “Whether that happens or not, remains to be seen. I think this election is too important to sit out; we’ve got to start making some better decisions in government, and I think it starts at the ballot.”

Sophomore Andrew Matz said the free concert featuring bands like Ludo, Carolina Liar and the Wombats drew him to the event. However, he’s also pleased with the political outreach that was attempted during the all-day event.

“It was a good mix of information and entertainment, which really helps in getting the point across,” Matz said. “It’s something that’s going to appeal to people and brings them there for the election, which is a huge cause. Trying to get (voting) numbers up and everything, it’s a great idea.”

Matz was also present for Brown’s speech, which he said he enjoyed.

“I thought it was good being that the people weren’t really from his district,” Matz said. “He took a really smart approach to it saying that voting was the most important thing.”

Stephanie Kane Misko, an event coordinator with 96.5 The Buzz, said more than 319 people registered to vote at the concert Sunday.

“That was one of our main goals to provide an opportunity for people to register to vote, to update their information, make sure everything was current,” she said. “We were very grateful to all the politicians who participated, and we were very excited with the people who showed up. Everyone seemed to have a great time, and we enjoyed putting on the event.”

Brown said his favorite part of the event was meeting and talking with U.S. Representative Dennis Moore from the 3rd District before his speech in which Moore encouraged him in his political endeavors.

“I was able to have a five minute private conversation with him while we were standing in line and that was kind of fun because I’d never met Dennis Moore before, and he was very nice to me,” Brown said.

Brown also said he liked Moore’s approach to reaching the public by playing “This Land is Your Land” on his guitar instead of giving a speech.

“His was the best thing because he got up and said ‘Do you want to hear a speech or do you want to hear a song?’ and everybody said, ‘A song.’ He had his guitar with him, and that’s his signature thing, that’s what he does,” Brown said.