Bruce Springsteen plans to release a new concert film via streaming on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Details on where the film will be available have not been announced.
The upcoming film features footage from Springsteen’s recent tour with the E Street Band, recorded in Philadelphia earlier this year. The “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour included 20 shows and followed national events such as the January deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Those events inspired Springsteen to write and record the song “Streets of Minneapolis.”
The E Street Band tour opened in Minneapolis on March 31. Guitarist Tom Morello postponed his own tour to join Springsteen and the band for the run of concerts.
In a statement, Springsteen said, “We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming! Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be taking the stage this spring from Minneapolis to California to Texas to Washington, D.C. for the Land of Hope and Dreams American tour.” The tour ended in Washington, D.C. on May 27.
Springsteen added, “We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream — all of which are under attack by our wannabe king and his rogue government in Washington, D.C. Everyone, regardless of where you stand or what you believe in, is welcome — so come on out and join the United Free Republic of E Street Nation for an American spring of Rock ‘n’ Rebellion! I’ll see you there!”
Springsteen has faced criticism for his political statements. Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain recently called Springsteen “an annoying, bitter old man” and said he should “shut up” and focus on his music.
Springsteen’s outspoken views have also led to security concerns. Guitarist Steven Van Zandt told the Daily Mail, “This tour has been a little bit different because of the high security. It’s a very specific political theme to this tour and there’s been a lot of threats, death threats. Usually there’s always some, but this time it’s been increasing.”
While off the road this summer, Springsteen appeared as a guest with Jon Bon Jovi during the Bon Jovi concert at Madison Square Garden on July 26.
Springsteen also released a new vintage concert from his archives on Friday, Sept. 4. The show, from the Tunnel of Love tour, was recorded July 2, 1988, at Stockholms Stadion in Stockholm, Sweden. It joins an earlier release from the same venue recorded the following day.