Bruce Springsteen Joins Tom Morello for First Live Performance of 'Streets of Minneapolis'

The rock legends teamed up to deliver the anti-ICE protest song at a benefit concert in Minneapolis.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:39pm

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Bruce Springsteen reunited with his friend and fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tom Morello in Minneapolis on Friday (Jan. 30) to deliver his first live performance of 'Streets of Minneapolis' at the legendary First Avenue club. The anti-ICE protest song pointedly addresses the killings of protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE officers over the past three weeks in Minneapolis. All the proceeds from the show, which featured other artists like Rise Against and Al Di Meola, are going to the families of Good and Pretti.

Why it matters

Springsteen and Morello's performance of 'Streets of Minneapolis' at the benefit concert highlights the ongoing tensions and protests over the actions of ICE agents, not only in Minneapolis but across the country. The song and the event aim to raise awareness and funds for the families affected by the recent killings.

The details

In the performance clip, Morello introduces Springsteen, calling him 'my good friend and fellow freedom fighter.' Springsteen then explains that he wrote the song and recorded it the next day, sending it to Morello. Morello reportedly told Springsteen that 'nuance is wonderful, but sometimes you have to kick them in the teeth.' Springsteen then launched into the defiant song that called out 'Trump's federalist thugs' and declared, 'We'll take our stand for this land and the stranger in our midst.'

  • The concert took place on Friday, January 30, 2026.
  • Springsteen released the 'Streets of Minneapolis' song on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, two days before the concert.

The players

Bruce Springsteen

A legendary American singer-songwriter and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Tom Morello

An American musician and political activist, best known as the guitarist for the rock band Rage Against the Machine.

Renee Good

A protester killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis in the weeks prior to the concert.

Alex Pretti

A protester killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis in the weeks prior to the concert.

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What they’re saying

“Now I know that Tom is an excitable man. I say, 'Tom, what do you think? It's kind of soap boxy.' He says that Morello responded that 'nuance is wonderful, but sometimes you have to kick them in the teeth.'”

— Bruce Springsteen (Billboard)

“I believe that the future of democracy in this country will be decided right here on the streets of Minneapolis.”

— Tom Morello (Billboard)

What’s next

The concert organizers plan to continue holding similar benefit events to support the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as well as to raise awareness about the actions of ICE agents in Minneapolis and across the country.

The takeaway

Springsteen and Morello's powerful performance of 'Streets of Minneapolis' at the benefit concert underscores the ongoing fight for democracy and against the heavy-handed tactics of federal agencies like ICE. The event and the song aim to honor the victims and galvanize support for the affected communities in Minneapolis.