Rock the Vote Ups the Ante with Contest, Against Me!, Saul Williams

In observance of the upcoming July 4 holiday, we bring you yet another internet contest. Rock the Vote is launching a contest called DemROCKracy in which bands get their fans to register to the vote in the upcoming election you may have heard about. The grand prize for the group that registers the most voters is a spot playing Rock the Vote's Ballot Bash before the Democratic National Convention August 25.

In other Rock the Vote news, Against Me! weighs in about the importance of the democratic process, and Saul Williams again rocks our world.

Watch Now: Against Me! - Rock the Vote

Watch Now: Saul Williams - Rock the Vote

Livin' la Vida: Coldplay Auditions Opening Acts via YouTube

The internet: the gift that keeps on giving. Radiohead's MySpace Music video contest lead off the week, then Beck leaked two tracks from his upcoming album, followed by Weezer's YouTube single hitting the waves. Now it is Coldplay's turn as they premier a YouTube contest giving unknown groups the opportunity to open for one of the biggest bands in the world during the Viva la Vida tour. The contest is cooperating with radio stations in six markets: Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Hartford, Philadelphia and San Jose, CA, the tour stops scheduled to feature fledgling artists/contest champions.

Contestants are to upload their videos onto YouTube, where a panel of judges of radio station employees will watch them and whittle the field down to fifteen. After that, fan voting reduces the finalists to three (sound familiar?). Coldplay will watch the final trio and give the green light to their favorite. The gran prix: 20 minutes of stage time as Coldplay’s opening act, $2,000 and ten tickets to the concert. To enter, check out Coldplay’s tour page.