Bruce Springsteen joins Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello for protest concert at First Ave

The Boss performed two songs, including his new anti-ICE single, at the midday Defend Minnesota! benefit show

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:47pm

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Two legendary rock musicians, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, came together for a protest concert at the iconic First Avenue venue in Minneapolis. Springsteen joined Morello's midday Defend Minnesota! show, performing two songs including his new anti-ICE single "Streets of Minneapolis." The Boss also played an electrified version of his 1995 track "The Ghost of Tom Joad" with Morello and his band, and closed the concert by joining in on John Lennon's "Power to the People."

Why it matters

The concert was organized to denounce ICE activity in Minnesota, with Springsteen and Morello using their platforms as influential rock stars to take a political stand and voice opposition to the federal immigration agency's operations. The event at the storied First Avenue venue, where Prince's "Purple Rain" was filmed, further cemented the venue's legacy as a hub for social and political activism through music.

The details

Springsteen took the stage at 1:55 pm, joining Morello's midday Defend Minnesota! concert. The Boss performed two songs - his new anti-ICE single "Streets of Minneapolis" and an electrified version of his 1995 track "The Ghost of Tom Joad" with Morello and his band. Springsteen also stuck around to close the concert by joining in on John Lennon's "Power to the People" with all the performers.

  • Springsteen joined the Defend Minnesota! concert at 1:55 pm on January 30, 2026.
  • The concert took place at First Avenue in Minneapolis.

The players

Bruce Springsteen

A legendary American rock musician known for his socially conscious lyrics and longtime activism.

Tom Morello

The guitarist for the politically-charged rock band Rage Against the Machine, who organized the Defend Minnesota! protest concert.

First Avenue

The iconic Minneapolis music venue where Prince's "Purple Rain" was filmed, and a hub for social and political activism through music.

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What they’re saying

“This is for the people of Minneapolis, the people of Minnesota.”

— Bruce Springsteen (startribune.com)

“Don't you think it's kind of soapbox-y?”

— Bruce Springsteen (startribune.com)

“Nuance is nice, but sometimes you just gotta kick them in the teeth.”

— Tom Morello (startribune.com)

What’s next

Springsteen and Morello are longtime collaborators, and it's likely they will continue to use their platforms to speak out against social and political issues in the future.

The takeaway

The concert at First Avenue demonstrated the power of music to amplify political and social messages, with two legendary rock stars using their influence to denounce ICE activity and stand up for the people of Minnesota. The event cemented First Avenue's legacy as a hub for activism through the arts.