Bruce Springsteen Kicks Off 'No Kings' Tour with Prayer and 'War' Declaration

The Boss returns to the stage with the E Street Band for the first time since the pandemic.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:26am

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off their highly anticipated 'No Kings' tour with a rehearsal performance in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. The show featured a prayer from Springsteen and a powerful rendition of his classic song 'War', which the singer introduced by declaring 'I'm a cool, cool, cool rocking daddy now'.

Why it matters

Springsteen's return to touring after the pandemic shutdown is a major event for music fans, as the legendary rocker and his iconic band have not performed live together in over 3 years. The tour opener provided a glimpse of what's to come as Springsteen embarks on his first major tour since the release of his 2024 album 'No Kings'.

The details

During the rehearsal performance, which was live-streamed on YouTube, Springsteen opened the show with a prayer before launching into a blistering version of his 1984 hit 'War'. The singer introduced the song by telling the crowd 'I'm a cool, cool, cool rocking daddy now', a nod to his advancing age and iconic status. Other songs performed included the fan-favorite 'Born in the U.S.A.'.

  • The rehearsal performance took place on March 26, 2026 at the Ocean Grove Youth Center in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
  • The 'No Kings' tour is set to kick off its official run in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The players

Bruce Springsteen

The legendary American singer-songwriter and rock musician, known as 'The Boss', who is embarking on his first major tour with the E Street Band since the pandemic.

E Street Band

Springsteen's longtime backing band, consisting of several long-time musical collaborators who have performed with him for decades.

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What they’re saying

“I'm a cool, cool, cool rocking daddy now”

— Bruce Springsteen

What’s next

The 'No Kings' tour is set to officially kick off in Minneapolis, Minnesota, though specific tour dates have not yet been announced.

The takeaway

Springsteen's return to the stage with the E Street Band is a highly anticipated event for music fans, as the legendary rocker continues to deliver powerful performances even as he enters the later stages of his career. The tour opener provided a glimpse of what's to come as Springsteen embarks on his first major tour since the pandemic.