Bruce Springsteen Shocks Audience with Powerful Anti-ICE Anthem at Minneapolis Benefit Concert
Friday's benefit concert at Minneapolis' First Avenue club was the perfect example of how music can serve as a powerful voice for resistance. The event, organized by Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, aimed to raise money for the families of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by ICE agents.
As the show got underway, surprise guest Bruce Springsteen took the stage, delivering the first-ever live performance of his anti-ICE song "Streets of Minneapolis". The crowd erupted in cheers as the Boss sang about the killings of unarmed U.S. citizens and federal tyranny, a message that resonated deeply with those in attendance.
Before playing the song, Springsteen told Morello that he had written it and recorded it the next day, jokingly calling it "soapboxy". Morello's response? "Bruce, nuance is wonderful, but sometimes you have to kick them in the teeth." The message was clear: some statements require no subtlety.
As Springsteen launched into the song, the audience responded with fervor, singing along and raising their fists in solidarity. The lyrics spoke directly to the hearts of those who were present, who had seen firsthand the devastating impact of ICE's actions on communities across America.
The concert was a testament to the power of music as a tool for resistance. As Morello put it earlier this week, "If it looks like fascism, sounds like fascism, acts like fascism... it must be resisted, protested, defended against." The show in Minneapolis was a defiant statement that echoed that sentiment.
"We are coming to Minneapolis where the people have heroically stood up against ICE, stood up against Trump, stood up for their neighbors and themselves," Morello said. "Ain't nobody coming to save us except us, and it's now or never." The words rang out loud and clear at the benefit concert, a call to action that will likely be remembered for a long time to come.
For those who missed the show, "Streets of Minneapolis" is more than just a song - it's a rallying cry for a generation. It's a reminder that some truths require no apology, no nuance, and no subtlety. Sometimes, you have to kick them in the teeth. And on Friday night, in Minneapolis, Springsteen did just that.
Friday's benefit concert at Minneapolis' First Avenue club was the perfect example of how music can serve as a powerful voice for resistance. The event, organized by Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, aimed to raise money for the families of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by ICE agents.
As the show got underway, surprise guest Bruce Springsteen took the stage, delivering the first-ever live performance of his anti-ICE song "Streets of Minneapolis". The crowd erupted in cheers as the Boss sang about the killings of unarmed U.S. citizens and federal tyranny, a message that resonated deeply with those in attendance.
Before playing the song, Springsteen told Morello that he had written it and recorded it the next day, jokingly calling it "soapboxy". Morello's response? "Bruce, nuance is wonderful, but sometimes you have to kick them in the teeth." The message was clear: some statements require no subtlety.
As Springsteen launched into the song, the audience responded with fervor, singing along and raising their fists in solidarity. The lyrics spoke directly to the hearts of those who were present, who had seen firsthand the devastating impact of ICE's actions on communities across America.
The concert was a testament to the power of music as a tool for resistance. As Morello put it earlier this week, "If it looks like fascism, sounds like fascism, acts like fascism... it must be resisted, protested, defended against." The show in Minneapolis was a defiant statement that echoed that sentiment.
"We are coming to Minneapolis where the people have heroically stood up against ICE, stood up against Trump, stood up for their neighbors and themselves," Morello said. "Ain't nobody coming to save us except us, and it's now or never." The words rang out loud and clear at the benefit concert, a call to action that will likely be remembered for a long time to come.
For those who missed the show, "Streets of Minneapolis" is more than just a song - it's a rallying cry for a generation. It's a reminder that some truths require no apology, no nuance, and no subtlety. Sometimes, you have to kick them in the teeth. And on Friday night, in Minneapolis, Springsteen did just that.
Bruce Springsteen bringing the house down with his powerful anti-ICE anthem "Streets of Minneapolis"!! 
I was literally shaking while listening to it, so raw and emotional! The fact that he performed it live for the first time ever is just mind-blowing. And can we talk about how Tom Morello set up the whole thing? Genius move to get Bruce on board and have him deliver such a impactful message. This concert was NOT just a charity event, it was a RESISTANCE MOVEMENT in disguise 
We need more artists like Bruce and Rage Against the Machine using their platform to speak out against injustice! 
Bruce Springsteen just went full rockstar by performing his new anti-ICE anthem live for the first time 
it's like, sometimes you gotta speak truth to power and not care about what others think 
Tom Morello is a genius too, his message is so clear and needed in these times 
we need more people speaking out against systemic injustice and fighting for what's right 
i mean, the man is 75+ and he still knows how to get a crowd pumped up and singing along to his new anti-ICE anthem "streets of minneapolis". it's not just about the music though, it's about using your platform to speak out against injustices. i think morello nailed it when he said that sometimes u gotta be loud and clear in ur message 
we need more people like springsteen and morello using their voices to fight for what's right. let's keep the momentum going! 
but then i started thinking about how my aunt's house smells like that all the time when she makes it for family gatherings... anyway back to the concert - i love how Springsteen just went in there and delivered that powerful message, it was so inspiring to see the crowd react like that 
. Bruce Springsteen's song is more than just a performance, it's a call to action 
. We need people like him speakin' truth to power, even if it's not always easy to hear 
. The fact that he wrote and performed the song the next day shows he's willin' to take a stand, even if it means lookin' a little radical 
. We can't just sit back and expect things to change on their own, we gotta be the ones pushin' for change 
.
The impact of this concert will undoubtedly be felt far beyond the walls of First Avenue – it's a testament to the enduring power of music as a force for social change 
, I mean who needs nuance when you're trying to make a statement? The crowd loved it because it was easy to relate to and not too hard on the ears 
we might not be in this mess.
its like he was speaking directly to our souls. the crowd was electric with solidarity and determination 
like "oh i'm protesting peacefully" no you're not 
ice is literally shooting down ppl & springsteen just straight up called it out 
I'm thinking about how powerful it is when artists like Bruce Springsteen use their platform to speak out against injustice... like the system we got with ICE 
. It's like they're saying 'enough is enough'! You can feel the passion and conviction behind his music, it's infectious 
. I think that's what's so beautiful about this song, it's raw and honest 
. And let's be real, the fact that Tom Morello organized this whole thing and brought in The Boss is just genius 
. Music has always been a powerful tool for resistance, but seeing it in action like this is truly inspiring 
.