What Bruce Springsteen Said During His New Tour Kickoff

Bruce Springsteen launched his 2026 tour with a commanding and politically charged performance in Minneapolis, setting the tone for what promises to be one of his most outspoken runs in years. The evening opened with a cover of War, a protest anthem from The Temptations, which he introduced as “a prayer for our men and women in service overseas — we pray for their safe return.” He framed the night as both “a celebration and defense of American ideals.”

Springsteen was joined throughout much of the set by Tom Morello, who postponed his own tour to participate. The 27-song setlist blended fan favorites such as “Hungry Heart” and “Because the Night” with some of his most politically resonant material, including “American Skin (41 Shots),” “Long Walk Home,” and “Death to My Hometown.”

A Blistering Mid-Show Address

Midway through the concert, Springsteen paused to deliver an extended and impassioned speech reflecting on the current political climate. Having recently appeared at the “No Kings” rally in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, he used the platform to voice deep concerns about the direction of the country.

“We are living through some very dark times,” he told the audience. “Our American values that have sustained us for 250 years are being challenged as never before.”

He went on to criticize a range of issues, including military conflict, immigration policies, and the state of the justice system, asserting repeatedly, “This is happening now.” His remarks also targeted the administration of Donald Trump, accusing it of corruption, undermining democratic institutions, and eroding America’s global standing.

“This White House is destroying the American idea and our reputation around the world,” Springsteen said. “We are no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave… We are now, to many, America the reckless, unpredictable, predatory rogue nation.”

Despite the severity of his critique, he closed on a note of resolve, urging civic responsibility and unity:

“Honesty, honor, humility, compassion… don’t let anybody tell you that these things don’t matter anymore. They do… So join us and let’s fight for the America that we love. Are you with us?”

Local Tributes and a New Song’s Debut

The encore paid tribute to Minnesota’s musical legacy, with Springsteen performing Purple Rain by Prince and “Chimes of Freedom” by Bob Dylan.

The choice of Minneapolis as the tour’s opening city carried added significance. Earlier this year, Springsteen released “Streets of Minneapolis,” a track echoing the title of his 1993 song “Streets of Philadelphia.” During the concert, he performed the new song live with the E Street Band for the first time.

The song was written and recorded within days as a response to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, reportedly involving U.S. immigration authorities. In a statement shared at the time, Springsteen explained:

“I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis… It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.”

As the Land of Hope and Dreams tour moves forward, Springsteen and the E Street Band are set to bring this blend of music and message across North America, with scheduled stops in major cities including New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago before concluding in Washington, D.C. on May 27.

Bruce Springsteen – March 31, 2026, Minneapolis, Minnesota Set List
1. “War” (The Temptations cover) (with Tom Morello) (first time since 2003)
2. “Born in the U.S.A.” (with Tom Morello)
3. “Death to My Hometown” (with Tom Morello)
4. “No Surrender”
5. “Darkness on the Edge of Town”
6. “Streets of Minneapolis” (first time with The E Street Band)
7. “The Promised Land”
8. “Out in the Street”
9. “Hungry Heart”
10. “Youngstown”
11. “Murder Incorporated”
12. “American Skin (41 Shots)” (with Tom Morello)
13. “Long Walk Home” (with Tom Morello) (introduced as “a prayer for my country”)
14. “House of a Thousand Guitars” (solo acoustic)
15. “My City of Ruins”
16. “Because the Night” (Patti Smith Group cover)
17. “Wrecking Ball”
18. “The Rising”
19. “The Ghost of Tom Joad” (with Tom Morello)
20. “Badlands” (with Tom Morello)
21. “Land of Hope and Dreams” (with Tom Morello)
Encore:
22. “Born to Run”
23. “Bobby Jean”
24. “Dancing in the Dark”
25. “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” (with Tom Morello)
26. “Purple Rain” (Prince cover) (with Tom Morello) (first time since 2016)
27. “Chimes of Freedom” (Bob Dylan cover) (with Tom Morello)