Bruce Springsteen Rocks Minneapolis Tonight: Setlist, Start Time & Last-Minute Ticket Deals

Fans packed Minneapolis’ iconic First Avenue on Friday afternoon for what was billed as a benefit led by Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello—but the lunchtime crowd erupted when “very special guest” Bruce Springsteen strode onstage, acoustic guitar in hand. The Boss opened with his brand-new protest anthem “Streets of Minneapolis,” written and recorded this week in response to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids that left community members Renee Good and Alex Pretti dead. He followed the solo debut by teaming with Morello for a fiery rendition of “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” transforming the 2,000-capacity club into a chorus of defiance as chants of “ICE out now” shook the star-studded black walls. “Thank you for welcoming us to the Battle of Minneapolis,” Morello told the audience before launching into Rage’s signature “Killing in the Name,” aligning the afternoon’s mission with the city’s long legacy of protest art. The pop-up “Concert of Solidarity and Resistance to Defend Minnesota” was organized in less than 72 hours. Alongside Springsteen and Morello, punk stalwarts Rise Against, guitar virtuoso Al Di Meola, and Illinois troubadour Ike Reilly filled the daylight set list, raising funds for affected immigrant families and galvanizing demonstrators heading to a late-day march at the State Capitol. Online, “Streets of Minneapolis” has already racked up more than 6.3 million YouTube views and vaulted to No. 1 on the iTunes singles chart, signaling that Springsteen’s latest social-justice broadside is resonating far beyond the Twin Cities. Why it matters: • Minneapolis continues to serve as a national flashpoint for policing and immigration policy, and Friday’s surprise set amplified activists’ calls with global star power. • Springsteen’s appearance marks his first Twin Cities performance since 2023 and hints at rumored small-venue drop-ins ahead of a possible 2026 E Street Band tour. • First Avenue, immortalized in Prince’s “Purple Rain,” reasserted itself as both a musical shrine and a civic gathering place. What’s next: Organizers say a high-quality live recording of the entire show, including the premiere of “Streets of Minneapolis,” will be released on Bandcamp within days, with proceeds continuing to benefit local immigrant-rights groups.