Bruce Springsteen joined Dave Grohl, Dave Matthews, and Tom Morello to perform Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” at the Power to the People Fest, marking the first time Springsteen has played the song live since 2004. The festival, hosted by Tom Morello, featured a night of special performances and surprise collaborations, with Springsteen’s set centered on protest anthems.
Springsteen’s Set of Protest Anthems
Springsteen’s performance at the festival leaned heavily on covers. His only original song was “Streets of Minneapolis,” while the rest of the set drew from Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Young. Guest appearances were frequent throughout the night, with several high-profile acts joining him on stage for specific songs.
Joan Baez joined Springsteen for a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom.” Dave Matthews and Nathaniel Rateliff appeared together on Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son,” a song Springsteen had not performed live since 2009.
The Young Cover With Grohl
After the CCR classic, Springsteen brought out Dave Grohl. Grohl’s Foo Fighters had performed earlier in the evening, and he joined Springsteen for the Neil Young anthem.
The performance was a rare moment for both artists. It marked the first time Springsteen had played “Rockin’ in the Free World” live since 2004, when he sang it alongside Young himself, along with R.E.M. and John Fogerty, at a Vote for Change concert in Minnesota.
That earlier concert ended with Springsteen leading an all-star rendition of Patti Smith’s “People Have the Power.” The Power to the People Fest followed a similar pattern, closing with a star-studded take on John Lennon’s “Power to the People,” the festival’s namesake song.
The Night’s Other Surprise Guests
The festival was not the only set to feature unexpected collaborators. Jack Black’s Black Sabbath tribute act welcomed Geezer Butler. Public Enemy brought out Anthrax’s Scott Ian for “Bring the Noise,” and a “Suns of Soundgarden” mini-set was performed.
Morello’s own set boasted a wide range of guests, including Serj Tankian, DMC, Cypress Hill’s B-Real, Public Enemy, and Grohl. Grohl also performed Kiss’ “Rock and Roll All Nite” with Morello.
Key Facts Box
- Song: Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World”
- First played live since: 2004, when Springsteen sang it with Young, R.E.M., and Fogerty at a Vote for Change concert in Minnesota
- Springsteen’s original song: “Streets of Minneapolis”
- Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son” last performed live: 2009
- Festival closer: John Lennon’s “Power to the People,” plus Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land”
The festival ended with the full ensemble performing Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.”
See the video the story is built around at Rolling Stone.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.