Tonight, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band kicked off their Land of Hope & Dreams Tour in Manchester, England. Before performing “Land of Hope and Dreams,” “House of a Thousand Guitars,” and “My City of Ruins,” Springsteen addressed the current state of democracy in America.
Springsteen began by expressing his disappointment with the US government, calling it “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous.” He emphasized the importance of protecting democracy, particularly during times of authoritarianism. The singer also highlighted the need for unity among people who share common values, stating that “all we’ve got is each other.”
Springsteen then spoke out against the persecution of free speech and dissent in America, as well as the exploitation of poor children by wealthy individuals. He condemned the rollbacks of historic civil rights legislation and the abandonment of allies to dictatorships.
Despite his concerns, Springsteen offered a message of hope, citing James Baldwin’s words: “In this world, there isn’t as much humanity as one would like, but there’s enough.” The singer expressed faith in the resilience of America and its people, concluding that they will survive this moment.
Source: https://brucespringsteen.net/news/2025/land-of-hope-and-dreams