Recommendations of the Editorial team
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have released two videos from the opening night of their Land of Hope and Dreams Tour – including the live debut of Springsteen’s current protest song “Streets of Minneapolis” with the entire band.
The politically charged tour kicked off in that very city on March 31, and “Streets of Minneapolis” was given a prominent spot on the setlist. The video features not only the haunting performance, but also Springsteen’s introduction to the song, which was inspired by ICE’s brutal immigration raids on the city and the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
“This past winter, federal soldiers brought death and terror to the streets of Minneapolis,” Springsteen said. “Well, they picked the wrong city. The power of solidarity, the people of Minneapolis, was an inspiration to the entire country. Your strength and your commitment showed us: This is still America, and we won’t stand for that. Minnesota, you gave us hope. You gave us courage.”
Tribute to Prince
The second video features another fitting tribute to Minneapolis: a cover of Prince’s classic “Purple Rain.” “For the Maestro,” Springsteen said before launching into the song, with Nils Lofgren and Tom Morello sharing the track’s iconic solo.
Springsteen and the E Street Band announced their Land of Hope and Dreams Tour in February and kicked off just over a month later. The fast pace reflects the urgency that apparently drove Springsteen to gather the E Street Band for what he has candidly described as a “political and very contemporary” tour.
“The E Street Band was made for hard times,” he told the Minnesota Star Tribune before the tour began. “It always has been. These are the moments when we can really give something to the community.”
Tour runs until May
The Land of Hope and Dreams Tour continues April 13 in San Francisco. Springsteen and the E Street Band have shows scheduled through late spring, with the final concert May 27 in Washington, DC
