Bruce Springsteen, the 76-year-old rock icon known for ‘Dancing in the Dark,’ and his E Street Band kick off their Land of Hope and Dreams tour next week. The shows will visit major U.S. cities in celebration and defense of America.
Tour Promises Political Focus
Ahead of the opening concert in Minneapolis, Springsteen stated the tour will tackle political and topical issues facing the nation. ‘The tour is going to be political and very topical about what’s going on in the country,’ he said.
He emphasized the band’s role during challenging times: ‘The E Street Band is built for hard times. It always was. These are the moments when I think we can be of real value and real worth to the community. These are moments that fill the band with purpose, so I try to fill the set list around those ideas.’
Springsteen has frequently criticized former President Donald Trump during live performances. Addressing concerns about alienating fans, he remarked: ‘My job is very simple: I do what I want to do, I say what I want to say and then people get to say what they want to say about it. Those are the rules of my game. That’s fine with me.’
‘I don’t worry about if you’re going to lose this part of your audience. I’ve always had a feeling about the position we play culturally, and I’m still deeply committed to that idea of the band. The blowback is just part of it. I’m ready for all that.’
Instagram Tour Promo and Stops
In a recent Instagram video, Springsteen promoted the tour alongside his bandmates. ‘The E Street Band is coming your way,’ he announced, ‘and we are bringing hope over fear, democracy over authoritarianism, the rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unbridled corruption, unity over division and peace over war.’
After Minneapolis, the Grammy winner and his band will perform in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Austin, Chicago, Atlanta, New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
Recent Protest Song Release
The tour follows the release of Springsteen’s protest track ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ last month. The song responds to the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, two Minneapolis residents killed by federal immigration agents, and critiques actions by ICE under Trump’s orders.
In a video accompanying the song, Springsteen described the era as challenging: ‘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 D.C. for the Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour.’
‘We will be rocking your town,’ he added, pointing at the camera, ‘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, D.C.’
He invited all audiences: ‘Everyone, regardless of where you stand or what you believe in, is welcome. So come on out and join the united free republic of E Street nation for an American spring of rock and rebellion. I’ll see you there.’
