Bruce Springsteen launched his latest U.S. tour Tuesday night at the Xcel Energy Center in Minneapolis, opening the show with Edwin Starr's protest anthem "War" and delivering a pointed rebuke of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions. The concert marked Springsteen's return to a city he referenced in his newly adapted song "Streets of Philadelphia," which he retitled "Streets of Minneapolis" for the occasion. The performance set a defiant tone from the outset, drawing a strong reaction from the sold-out crowd.
Springsteen addressed the audience directly about the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which has affected Minneapolis and the broader Minnesota region. The singer spoke out against what he described as government overreach before launching into the night's setlist. His choice to open with "War," a song with the iconic refrain "War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing," underscored the political messaging that ran throughout the evening.
The adapted "Streets of Minneapolis" replaced the original Philadelphia references with imagery tied to the Minnesota city, personalizing the message for the local audience. Springsteen has a history of tailoring performances to reflect current events and local contexts, but Tuesday's show carried a particularly charged political atmosphere. The move drew widespread applause and appeared to resonate deeply with fans in attendance.
The Minneapolis concert serves as the kickoff date for Springsteen's broader U.S. tour, which is expected to continue across multiple cities in the coming weeks and months. Springsteen and the E Street Band have been touring internationally and the return to American stages has been highly anticipated by fans. Tuesday's opening night signaled that political commentary will likely remain a central element of the tour's presentation.
Springsteen, 75, has not shied away from political statements throughout his career, most notably during election years and periods of social unrest. His decision to lead with "War" echoes similar gestures made by musicians during past periods of political tension in the United States. The choice of Minneapolis — a city that has been at the center of national debates over policing, immigration, and civil rights in recent years — as the tour's launching point appeared deliberate. Fans and political observers are likely to watch closely as the tour progresses to see whether Springsteen continues to use the stage as a platform for commentary on current federal policies.
