Tom Morello energized a packed crowd at Minneapolis’s iconic First Avenue venue during a solidarity concert against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions. The event, held on Friday, January 30, 2026, highlighted resistance following the recent fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents. Protests persist across the city, with local officials demanding the removal of all ICE personnel.
Star-Studded Performance and Powerful Messages
Morello drew from his extensive catalog of protest anthems, opening with a raw rendition of Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Killing in the Name.’ He followed with Audioslave’s ‘Cochise’ and Woody Guthrie’s timeless ‘This Land Is Your Land.’ The lineup also featured a collective performance of John Lennon’s ‘Power to the People.’
Addressing the audience, Morello praised the city’s resilience. ‘Brothers and sisters, thank you for welcoming us to the battle of Minneapolis,’ he said. ‘Minneapolis is an inspiration to the entire nation. You have heroically stood up against ICE, stood up against Trump, stood up against this terrible rising tide of state terror. You have stood up for your neighbors and for yourselves and for democracy and for justice. Ain’t nobody comin’ to save us except us, and brothers and sisters, you are showing the way.’
He added a defiant note: ‘I heard the Trump administration has claimed that outside agitators have come to Minneapolis to stir up trouble. I would like to confirm that we are those outside agitators, and we’re gonna stir up a shit-ton of trouble.’
Bruce Springsteen’s Surprise Appearance
The concert gained added momentum with an unannounced set from Bruce Springsteen, who debuted his new track ‘Streets of Minneapolis,’ a direct critique of ICE operations. Morello joined Springsteen for a blistering take on ‘The Ghost of Tom Joad.’
Introducing the song, Springsteen reflected on Morello’s advice: ‘Nuance is wonderful, but sometimes you have to kick them in the teeth.’ He dedicated it to ‘the people of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the people of our good country, the United States of America.’ The performance sparked chants of ‘ICE out now!’ from the enthusiastic crowd.
Governt Response and Broader Context
The Trump administration swiftly condemned Springsteen’s song. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated, ‘The Trump administration is focused on encouraging state and local Democrats to work with federal law enforcement officers on removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens from their communities – not random songs with irrelevant opinions and inaccurate information.’ She further criticized Democrats for providing sanctuary to undocumented individuals, urging media coverage of their refusal to cooperate.
Morello’s involvement aligns with his history of activism. Over the summer, he curated a ‘Fuck ICE’ playlist and participated in anti-ICE demonstrations. Other prominent figures have voiced support, including Billie Eilish, who called on celebrities to speak out, and her brother Finneas, who challenged conservative arguments on gun laws related to Pretti’s death. Additional supporters include Sabrina Carpenter, Green Day, Neil Young, Moby, Zara Larsson, Joe Keery, Yuri Lowenthal, Duran Duran, and Dave Matthews.
Morello’s Setlist and Future Plans
Morello’s full performance included:
- ‘Killing in the Name’
- ‘Soldier in the Army of Love’
- ‘Hold the Line’
- ‘One Man Revolution’
- ‘Keep Going’
- ‘Bombtrack/Know Your Enemy/Bulls on Parade/Guerrilla Radio/Sleep Now in the Fire/Bullet in the Head’
- ‘Cochise/Like A Stone’
- ‘This Land Is Your Land’
Looking ahead, Morello schedules a one-off headline show in London this summer as part of a European tour and plans to perform at Download Festival 2026.
