Orel Family

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Long Walk Home. Washington, DC, May 27, 2026. Photo: Matthew Orel You know that flag flying over the courthouse It means certain things are set in stone Who we are, what we'll do and what we won't --Bruce Springsteen, Long Walk Home Bruce Springsteen has performed in front of the American flag before. Most famously, the "Born in the U.S.A" tour stadium shows opened with Bruce and the E Street Band in front of a giant flag ; after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001m Bruce played benefit shows in New Jersey in front of a giant flag as well. It's not subtle. This is my country and this is my flag. Bruce Springsteen, Max Weinberg Land of Hope and Dreams. Washington, DC, May 27, 2026. Photo: Matthew Orel On Wednesday, Bruce took his case to the nation's capital city, in the only stadium show of the Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour. It'd be easy enough to interpret - or, arguably, misinterpret - that flag as an ass...

I pray for the strength, Lord. Of all the things that Bruce Springsteen has done in the 15 years since 9/11, there was one thing he hadn't done: Perform in public with the E Street Band, on 9/11. Last night's show... would be different. It would have to be different, somehow. Springsteen's recent shows have turned in to early career retrospectives, going album by (rock) album through the first dozen years of his career, and stretching the whole thing out over 4 hours. Sure, the songs feel like old friends now, mostly. But last night felt different. Last night there was a wound to check on, and it was still bleeding. In an arena that seemed to have more people than it could hold, and that was several degrees warmer than comfortable, Bruce led a service. It was raw, emotional, intense, with mourning for the dead and prayers for the living. When it was all over, after a typically goofy suite of party songs, we were collectively drained. I had no particular expectatio...