Bruce Springsteen kicks off nationwide tour in Minneapolis, calls it ‘political and very topical’
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Rock legend Bruce Springsteen is set to kick off the American leg of his “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour in Minneapolis, which he has described as “political and very topical” amid ongoing national debates on Immigration tactics.
The tour begins Tuesday, March 31, and reflects his response to current developments in the United States tied to the Trump administration policies. Springsteen has positioned the concerts as both a musical and political intervention during what he calls a critical moment for the country.
Bruce Springsteen’s politically charged tour and Minneapolis focus
Springsteen said, “The tour is going to be political and very topical about what’s going on in the country, Minneapolis and St. Paul, that was the place I wanted to begin it, and I wanted to end it in Washington,” according to The Minnesota Star Tribune.
Earlier this year, Springsteen released an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) song following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis. “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,” he said in an Instagram post in January.
“It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good,” he added.
It was also reported by the outlet that Springsteen was set to perform at a “No Kings” demonstration at the state Capitol in St. Paul. Speaking about the movement, he said, “You want to try to meet the moment. The No Kings movement is of great import right now.”
He added, “When you have the opportunity to sing something where the timing is essential and if you have something powerful to sing, it elevates the moment, it elevates your job to another level. And I’m always in search of that.”
Bruce Springsteen’s criticism of Trump and the “defense of America” message
In a video message posted on Instagram in February, Springsteen announced the launch of his nationwide tour “in defense of America,” stating that the country’s ideals are “under attack” by Donald Trump and “his rogue government.”
He further stated, “Fans, friends, and good folk from coast to coast: We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair, the cavalry is coming, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be taking the stage this spring from Minneapolis, to California, to Texas, to Washington, DC, for the ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ American tour.”
Springsteen also added, “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America, American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream, all of which are under attack by our wannabe king and his rogue government in Washington, DC”
He urged, “Everyone — regardless of where you stand or what you believe in — is welcome, So come out and join the United Free Republic of E Street Nation for an American spring of rock and rebellion.”
Springsteen, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, also said the US was “currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.” He further remarked, “There’s some very weird, strange and dangerous shit going on out there right now. In America, they are persecuting people for using their right to free speech and voicing their dissent.”
Trump also previously responded to the singer’s comments last May with a social media post featuring an edited video that depicted him hitting Bruce Springsteen with an animated golf ball.
The president also said, “Never liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he’s not a talented guy — Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK, who fervently supported Crooked Joe Biden, a mentally incompetent FOOL, and our WORST EVER President, who came close to destroying our Country.”
