Tom Morello Welcomes Surprise Guest Bruce Springsteen At ‘Defend Minnesota’ Benefit

Tom Morello took the stage early this afternoon to headline the “A Concert of Solidarity & Resistance to DEFEND MINNESOTA!” at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Morello promised a special guest and came through in a big way with Bruce Springsteen.

Ike Reilly opened the special afternoon benefit at the famed Minneapolis venue. Famed guitarist Al Di Meola then delivered a solo acoustic performance before Rise Against offered a stripped-down set.

Tom Morello came out hot with a smoking rendition of the Rage Against The Machine favorite “Killing In The Name.” Morello also performed songs from his solo catalog and time with Audioslave before Rise Against, Reilly and Di Meola returned for a “This Land Is Your Land” singalong.

The capacity crowd was already amped up to a fevered pitch when Tom Morello brought out “Mr. Bruce Springsteen.” Chants of “Bruuuuuuuuuuce” went out as Springsteen emerged with an acoustic guitar in hand.

Bruce Springsteen released his new protest song, “Streets Of Minneapolis,” on Wednesday. The Boss performed the cut live for the first time after he addressed the audience to introduce “Streets Of Minneapolis” by saying:

“So I write this song and I record it the next day. And I send it to Tom Morello. Now I know Tom is an excitable man. I say ‘Tom, what do you think? It’s kind of soapboxy.’ And he says ‘Bruce, nuance is wonderful but sometimes you have to kick them in the teeth.'”

“So this for the people of Minneapolis, the people of Minnesota and the people of our good country, the United States of America.”

Springsteen stayed out to join Morello and his band on “The Ghost Of Tom Joad.” The pair have a long history of performing together and have often collaborated on live versions of the song.

The stage was filled with all of the performers for a cover of John Lennon’s “Power To The People.” Morello urged those in the crowd to take to the streets in protest following the show.

Watch footage of Springsteen in action at the benefit below:

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