Tom Morello Ignites Minneapolis ICE Protest with Rage, Audioslave & Woody Guthrie Anthems

Tom Morello rocked Minneapolis with powerful protest songs from Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, and Woody Guthrie at a rally against ICE.

A Night of Fire and Resistance in Minneapolis

If you’re like me, someone who lives for music that punches you in the gut and stirs your soul, then Tom Morello’s recent Minneapolis protest show was a dream come true. On a chilly January day, the legendary First Avenue venue—famed for its vibrant history—became ground zero for a raucous concert of defiance against ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

Morello didn’t just bring the heat with his guitar skills; he brought an arsenal of protest anthems spanning his entire career. This wasn’t your average gig—it was a battle cry set to music, a rallying point for justice and solidarity in a city grappling with recent tragic losses caused by ICE officers.

Tom Morello electrifying the crowd in Minneapolis.

Morello didn’t just bring the heat with his guitar skills; he brought an arsenal of protest anthems spanning his entire career. This wasn’t your average gig—it was a battle cry set to music, a rallying point for justice and solidarity in a city grappling with recent tragic losses caused by ICE officers.

The Context: Minneapolis Stands Up

The concert was part of a wider movement in Minneapolis after the heartbreaking deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both fatally shot by ICE agents. The city has been a hotbed of protests and calls for all ICE operations to pack up and leave.

This show was billed as “a concert of solidarity and resistance to defend Minnesota,” and Morello made sure the message was crystal clear from the start.

“Brothers and sisters, thank you for welcoming us to the battle of Minneapolis,” he declared, his voice charged with passion. “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.”

“Minneapolis is an inspiration to the entire nation... Ain’t nobody comin’ to save us except us.”
— Tom Morello

A Surprise Appearance and Powerful Collaborations

The event’s star power was amped up with a surprise guest appearance by none other than Bruce Springsteen. The Boss delivered the live debut of his new anti-ICE anthem, Streets of Minneapolis, a song that instantly had the crowd chanting “ICE Out now!”

Springsteen introduced the track with a nod to Morello’s fiery spirit: “Nuance is wonderful, but sometimes you have to kick them in the teeth.” It was a moment charged with raw emotion and political grit—exactly what this protest needed.

Morello and Springsteen teamed up to shred a searing version of The Ghost of Tom Joad, blending powerful storytelling with rock intensity.

The Setlist: A Sonic Revolution

From the opening chords of Rage Against The Machine’s iconic Killing in the Name, the energy in the room was electric. Morello didn’t hold back, delivering a set that drew from his rebellious roots with Rage and Audioslave, as well as paying homage to folk legend Woody Guthrie with This Land Is Your Land.

Here’s a glimpse of the songs that tore through Minneapolis that day:

• 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 (a powerful mash-up)
• Cochise / Like A Stone
• This Land Is Your Land

The show closed with a joint performance of John Lennon’s Power To The People—a fitting anthem for a crowd united in resistance.

Voices of Defiance and Unity

Morello wasn’t shy about his role as an agitator. “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.”

The crowd roared in approval, fully embodying that rebellious spirit.

Tom Morello setting the protest crowd ablaze with his electric performance.

The Backlash and Broader Celebrity Support

Not surprisingly, the Trump administration was quick to slam Springsteen’s Streets of Minneapolis as “irrelevant” and accused Democrats of refusing to cooperate with federal law enforcement. The political heat around the song only added fuel to the protest fire.

Meanwhile, the anti-ICE movement has been buoyed by voices across the entertainment world. Billie Eilish urged fellow celebrities to speak up, her brother Finneas called out the hypocrisy surrounding gun laws, and artists like Green Day, Neil Young, Moby, and Zara Larsson have all joined the chorus against ICE’s actions.

Even actors like Joe Keery from Stranger Things and Spider-Man’s Yuri Lowenthal have lent their voices to the cause.

What’s Next for Morello?

Tom Morello isn’t slowing down. This summer, he’s slated to headline a one-off show in London as part of a broader European tour and will appear at the iconic Download Festival 2026. For fans eager to catch the fire live, tickets are still available, promising more electrifying performances ahead.

Watch Tom Morello in Action

Feel the intensity with these unforgettable moments from the Minneapolis show:

• Tom Morello Speech
• Tom Morello - Intro + Killing In The Name Of
• Bruce Springsteen + Tom Morello - The Ghost of Tom Joad
• Tom Morello - RATM origin story + Rage/Audioslave Medley
• Tom Morello - One Man Revolution
• Tom Morello, Bruce Springsteen, Ike Reilly, Al Di Meola, Rise Against - Power To The People
• Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Lyric Video)

A Rallying Cry Through Music

This powerful concert was more than just a show; it was a sonic rallying cry against injustice and for community resilience. Tom Morello’s blend of rock fury and folk heart reminded us all why music remains one of the most potent tools for change.

FAQ

• What was the purpose of Tom Morello’s Minneapolis show?
  It was a protest concert aimed at showing solidarity against ICE’s actions and the recent tragic deaths caused by its agents in Minnesota.
• Which songs did Tom Morello perform at the protest?
  His setlist included Rage Against The Machine classics like Killing In The Name, Audioslave hits such as Cochise, Woody Guthrie’s This Land Is Your Land, and more.
• Did any special guests appear at the event?
  Yes, Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance, debuting his new anti-ICE song Streets of Minneapolis.
• How did the government respond to the concert?
  The Trump administration criticized Springsteen’s song and dismissed it as irrelevant, while local protests demand ICE’s exit from Minnesota.
• Will Tom Morello tour more after this?
  Yes, Morello plans a headline show in London and will perform at Download Festival 2026.

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