“`html
Bruce Springsteen Stages Protest Concert in Minneapolis, Debuts New Song “Streets of Minneapolis”
Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance on January 30, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at a benefit concert organized by Tom Morello to support the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who where killed by law enforcement. During the event, Springsteen debuted his newly released protest song, “Streets of Minneapolis,” and performed an electric version of his 1995 track “The Ghost of Tom Joad” with Morello and other musicians.
“Streets of Minneapolis” – A Direct Rebuke
“Streets of Minneapolis” represents Springsteen’s most direct criticism to date of the federal government’s actions. The song specifically addresses the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, referring to the officers involved as “federal thugs.” Lyrics include the lines, “we’ll remember the names of those who died on the streets of Minneapolis,” and recount the events surrounding their deaths: “Citizens stood for justice / Their voices ringing through the night / And there were bloody footprints / Where mercy should have stood / and two dead left to die on snow-filled streets / Alex Pretti and Renee Good.”
Concert Details and Supporting Artists
The “Concert of Solidarity & Resistance To Defend Minnesota” at First Avenue (capacity 1,550) was announced by Morello just two days prior to the event, coinciding with the release of Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis.” Springsteen reportedly wrote the song just days before the concert, on January 25, 2026. The lineup also included performances by rise Against, Ike Reilly, and jazz guitarist Al Di Meola. Morello performed songs from his work with rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, including “Killing in the Name” and “Like a Stone.”
A Unified Finale and Message of Resistance
The concert culminated in a collaborative performance of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Power to the People,” followed by Prince’s “let’s Go Crazy” played over the venue’s sound system as a tribute to the Minneapolis music icon. Morello addressed the crowd, stating, “This is a festivity of resistance, and that one day we’ll create a little bit of the world we want to see.” He had previously emphasized the importance of local action,
Related reading