Bruce Springsteen’s Land of Hope and Dreams tour has gotten stricter with security following backlash from MAGA supporters
Bruce Springsteen has always exercised his freedom of speech well. But this could prove to be really dangerous on his recent tour. But why? As sad as that sounds, in the current political climate, freedom of speech comes with a cost, and Springsteen is no exception to that.
The Rock Legend Dials Up the Volume on Politics
The rock legend has reportedly tightened security across his current Land of Hope and Dreams tour after receiving death threats tied to his criticism of US President Donald Trump.
It is not news that Springsteen has been largely vocal about expressing his criticisms against the POTUS, but things got heated during the opening night of the tour in Minneapolis on March 31. Standing in front of a packed crowd, the singer called the current administration “corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless, and treasonous,” while urging his fans to choose “hope over fear” and “democracy over authoritarianism.”
Of course, the political circles on social media caught a hint of that, and both critics and supporters rushed to express their reactions on this very sensitive topic.
Threats Have Been Pouring In Since Then
According to Stevie Van Zandt, the E Street Band guitarist, the backlash gained momentum in no time, with some angry critics threatening the musician. In an interview with The Daily Mail, he revealed that the tour has seen a noticeable rise in threats compared to its previous chapters.
Van Zandt explained that security around the band has been made more stringent. He also added that federal authorities, including the FBI, are keeping a close eye on the situation. While he downplayed many of the threats as “mostly just talk,” he stressed that fan safety is now a major priority.
Can Rock Even Be Political In Contemporary America?
Springsteen’s music has always been political, but this tour feels especially tense because of the current political atmosphere in the US. For younger fans, it’s a reminder that concerts today can become a cultural tinderbox overnight.
The American edition of the Land of Hope and Dreams tour is set to wrap up in Philadelphia on May 30.
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