Bruce Springsteen Honors Social Justice with Patti Smith at Tribeca Festival, Admits to Bono: ‘I Should Have Said Yes’
On June 13, the final day of the Tribeca Festival, a notable gathering took place in lower Manhattan. Bono, Patti Smith, and Tribeca co-founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal came together to honor Bruce Springsteen with the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award. This recognition highlighted Springsteen’s commitment to social justice and activism.
Springsteen’s Humble Acceptance
During the event, Springsteen expressed his humility regarding the award, stating he felt a bit embarrassed to receive it. He dedicated the honor to the people of Minneapolis, Portland, and Los Angeles, acknowledging their resilience in standing against what he termed the “federal invasion of their cities this year.” Springsteen identified himself simply as “a concerned citizen,” emphasizing his role as an advocate for social change.
Focus on Democracy and Federal Overreach
The discussions at the Tribeca Storytellers event echoed themes from Springsteen’s recent Land of Hopes & Dreams Tour. The primary focus was the erosion of democracy in America, particularly in light of President Trump’s federal overreach. Before the conversation began, De Niro and Rosenthal introduced Springsteen, explaining the significance of his award.
De Niro remarked on Springsteen’s ability to use his voice effectively. He noted that Springsteen gives a voice to the powerless and leads the resistance against what he described as the “corruption and megalomania” of Donald Trump and his supporters. De Niro emphasized that Springsteen articulates these issues with the eloquence of a poet.
Reflections on Connection to the Working Class
In their conversation, Bono and Springsteen reflected on the challenges faced by rock stars in connecting with the working class. Bono acknowledged that there are perceptions of elitism among artists like himself, suggesting that the left may have lost some connection with everyday people. Springsteen responded thoughtfully, indicating that he is uncertain about the impact of his activism on his audience. He cited the classic folk song “Which Side Are You On?” to illustrate the importance of standing firm in one’s beliefs while also trusting that those beliefs will resonate with fellow citizens.
Acknowledging Past Decisions
Springsteen also addressed his selective approach to activism. Bono recounted instances where he had asked Springsteen to support various petitions, only to be met with polite refusals. One notable moment involved a request for Springsteen to license his song “Girls In Their Summer Clothes” for a Gap commercial as part of the (PRODUCT) RED campaign. Springsteen admitted that declining the request was a mistake, stating, “I should have said yes,” and expressed regret for not taking that opportunity.
Musical Performances and Messages of Peace
Following their conversation, Patti Smith joined the stage at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Accompanied by Tony Shanahan on keys, she performed “Peaceable Kingdom,” a song inspired by Rachel Corrie, who was killed in 2003 while protesting against the demolition of Palestinian homes. Smith then transitioned to her anthem “People Have the Power,” a call to activism, with Springsteen and Shanahan providing acoustic guitar support. Although Bono had exited the stage, Springsteen invited him back to contribute backup vocals.
While the event program did not promise a live performance from Springsteen, attendees were hopeful. Springsteen surprised the audience by delivering a captivating solo rendition of “Land of Hope and Dreams,” which resonated deeply with the crowd.
Closing Remarks
As the event concluded and the audience rose to give a standing ovation, Springsteen left them with a light-hearted remark: “Go Knicks.”
As reported by www.billboard.com.
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Published on 2026-06-14 03:58:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk