Chicago-area favorites Fall Out Boy play at the Ballot Bash. Gargoyle photos by Will Fernandez (click to enlarge)

Hip-hop artists N*E*R*D take the stage with the evening's message behind them.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Florida talks to the crowd.

DENVER — After the first night of convention speeches, various rock stars and celebrities at the Rock the Vote Ballot Bash made the case that voter turnout among those under 30 years of age may hold the balance in the election.

According to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement, nearly twice as many voters under 30 participated in 2008’s primary and caucus season than in 2000.

Rock the Vote’s executive director Heather Smith said, “Rock the Vote’s mission is to engage and build the political clout of young adults.”

Rock the Vote uses music and celebrities to encourage young adults to register and vote, and to learn about and take action on issues that impact their lives.

Members of each of the bands appearing in concert last night — Jakob Dylan and the Gold Mountain Rebels, N*E*R*D, and Fall Out Boy — appealed to the audience to continue to help in the effort to register young adults and get the out to vote in November.

The concert took place at Ellie Caulkins Opera House before a sold-out crowd of 1,700 fans.

Other Rock the Vote-sponsored events this week include tonight's Every Woman Counts late-night party co-hosted by Lifetime Networks and Wednesday's Change Agents forum on access, influence, and empowerment co-sponsored by Hip Hop Summit.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, a Democrat from Florida, came on stage to introduce Fall Out Boy. He noted that more than 4,000 young people have died in Iraq, young adults have the highest unemployment rates, and more than 13 million lack basic health care.

“If you want to make a difference on these,” he said, “you need to vote.”

Remaining Schedule for the Democratic National Convention

Note: All events listed below will take place at the Pepsi Center unless otherwise noted.

Tuesday, Aug. 26: Renewing America’s Promise

• Headline prime-time speaker: Former presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York

• Keynote speaker: former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner

• Other speakers include pay equity pioneer Lilly Ledbetter, Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona, Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, Sen. Bob Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania, Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and House Democratic Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel

Wednesday, Aug. 27: Securing America’s Future

• Headline prime-time speaker: Barack Obama’s vice presidential nominee, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware

• Featured speakers will include former President Bill Clinton, former Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley

Thursday, Aug. 28: Change You Can Believe In

• On Thursday night, the DNCC will throw open the doors of the convention and move to INVESCO Field at Mile High so that more Americans can be a part of the fourth night of the convention as Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination

• Additional details of the program preceding Obama’s acceptance speech to be announced