Last night, Bruce Springsteen was the musical guest on the penultimate episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. CBS was not subtle in its attempt to cozy up to Donald Trump, announcing the cancellation of The Late Show last summer, a move widely interpreted as a bid to appease the president. Colbert is making the most of his final week on the show, which included burning down the house with icon David Byrne a couple of nights ago. Last night’s episode featured a performance by Springsteen that was no less gripping despite its grave tone.
Springsteen performed “Streets of Minneapolis,” which he wrote and released this past January following the horrific ICE and CBP infestation in Minneapolis that resulted in the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Alone onstage with an acoustic guitar and harmonica, the Boss gave a particularly moving performance with all things considered.
Springsteen also shared some words of support for Colbert and called out film executives Larry and David Ellison for their move against democratic freedoms. He said:
"I am here in support tonight for Stephen because you're the first guy in America who's lost his show because we got a president who can't take a joke. Because Larry and David Ellison feel they need to kiss his ass to get what they want. Anyway, Stephen these are small-minded people who've got no idea what the freedoms of this beautiful country are supposed to be about. This is for you."
The performance reflected the tone of Springsteen’s current Land of Hope and Dreams Tour, which has focused on criticism against the current administration and its authoritarian agenda. Revisit Ryan Leas' review of the tour here.
Watch it below.
