Springsteen, E Street Band launch ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ tour with defiant Minneapolis opener
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band launched their “Land of Hope and Dreams” American tour Saturday night, delivering a sprawling, politically charged 27-song set that marked their first-ever live-streamed concert performance.
The sold-out tour opener at Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium was characterized by a sense of urgency and sharp social commentary, drawing praise from critics who described the performance as one of the most impactful of Springsteen’s five-decade career.
The evening began with a rare performance of “War,” which the band had not played in 23 years, followed immediately by “Born in the U.S.A.” Before the music started, Springsteen addressed the crowd with a somber “prayer for our men and women in the service overseas” before pivoting to a blistering critique of the current political climate.
“The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ‘n’ roll in dangerous times,” Springsteen told the audience. He went on to describe the current administration as “corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless, and treasonous,” calling for “hope over fear” and “democracy over authoritarianism.”
The setlist featured the full-band debut of “Streets of Minneapolis,” a song released in January 2026 in response to the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. The performance followed Springsteen’s appearance at a “No Kings” protest in the Twin Cities earlier in the week, which drew more than 100,000 people.
Special guest Tom Morello joined the ensemble for 11 songs, adding his signature guitar work to topical tracks including “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” “American Skin (41 Shots),” and “Long Walk Home.” In a nod to the host city’s musical heritage, the band also performed a tribute to Prince with a cover of “Purple Rain.”
The touring lineup included longtime E Street members Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt, and Max Weinberg, supported by a full horn section and choir.
The tour, produced in partnership with the streaming service nugs.net, is scheduled for 19 additional dates across the United States. It is set to conclude on May 27 with an outdoor performance at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
Springsteen’s career has long been defined by his exploration of the American experience, but observers noted that this tour marks a peak in his activism. The New York Times reported that the performance highlighted Springsteen’s “rare talent for capturing cultural flash points,” noting that in 2026, the artist has “tapped the zeitgeist.”
Tour dates and ticket information are available at the artist’s official website.
LAND OF HOPE AND DREAMS TOUR — OPENING NIGHT SETLIST (MARCH 31, MINNEAPOLIS, MN):
“War”
“Born In The U.S.A.”
“Death To My Hometown”
“No Surrender”
“Darkness On The Edge Of Town”
“Streets Of Minneapolis”
“The Promised Land”
“Out In The Street”
“Hungry Heart”
“Youngstown”
“Murder Incorporated”
“American Skin (41 Shots)”
“Long Walk Home”
“House Of A Thousand Guitars”
“My City Of Ruins”
“Because The Night”
“Wrecking Ball”
“The Rising”
“The Ghost Of Tom Joad”
“Badlands”
“Land Of Hope And Dreams”
“Born To Run”
“Bobby Jean”
“Dancing In The Dark”
“Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”
“Purple Rain”
“Chimes Of Freedom”
2026 LAND OF HOPE AND DREAMS AMERICAN TOUR DATES
Friday, April 3 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Tuesday, April 7 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
Thursday, April 9 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
Monday, April 13 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Thursday, April 16 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center
Monday, April 20 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Thursday, April 23 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena
Sunday, April 26 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Wednesday, April 29 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Saturday, May 2 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Tuesday, May 5 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
Friday, May 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena
Monday, May 11 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Thursday, May 14 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Saturday, May 16 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Tuesday, May 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
Friday, May 22 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena
Sunday, May 24 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Wednesday, May 27 – Washington, D.C. – Nationals Park
