Bruce Springsteen's Tribeca Confession: Legendary Duet with Patti Smith, Apology to Bono

The Tribeca Festival concluded its eventful run on June 13 with a special ceremony in lower Manhattan, where music icon Bruce Springsteen was honored with the prestigious Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award. The event saw Tribeca co-founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal gather alongside Patti Smith and Bono to celebrate Springsteen's impact.

During a lengthy sit-down conversation with Bono, Springsteen expressed a degree of embarrassment at receiving the accolade, stating, "I’m a little embarrassed to get this award." He then dedicated the honor to the residents of Minneapolis, Portland, and Los Angeles, acknowledging their efforts in standing "against the federal invasion of their cities this year," and humbly referred to himself as "just a concerned citizen."

The central theme of the Tribeca Storytellers event, much like Springsteen’s recent Land of Hopes & Dreams Tour, revolved around the pressing issue of the erosion of democracy in America and President Trump’s federal overreach. Prior to the conversation, Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal introduced Springsteen, elucidating the reasons behind his recognition. De Niro, an Oscar-winning actor, praised Springsteen, stating, "This is a man who knows how to use his voice. He uses it to give voice to the powerless and he uses it to lead the resistance. He is fearless and direct. He knows what the problem is and he names it: Donald Trump. Donald J. Trump and his feckless enablers." De Niro emphasized that the issue was not about policy disputes but "about the corruption and megalomania of one person," and lauded Springsteen for putting a face on it "with the words of a poet."

Bono, a peer and self-described "fan masquerading as a friend," engaged Springsteen in a thoughtful and at times challenging discussion. He delved into the complex relationship between rock stars and the working class, a demographic both Bono and Springsteen originated from. Bono confessed, "I fear sometimes we on the left lost a little bit of it and that the accusations of elitism that are out there for people like me are not inaccurate." He then probed Springsteen, asking, "Has it cost you? Do you feel torn at all thinking there’s people in this town that used to come see my shows who don’t now? Or have you made peace with that?" Springsteen candidly responded, "I’m not sure. You have to do two things. There’s the classic folk song, “Which Side Are You On?”: you have to make your stand and follow your beliefs and you have to have the faith in them that they will be explicable and understandable by your fellow citizens. And you have to believe that America is a sacred argument and a compromise."

Springsteen further elaborated on his consistent socio-political messaging, noting that his recent tour, arguably his most explicitly political, offered no surprises. He quipped, "I warned everybody what the tour was gonna be like so they didn’t waste their money before they came. I figured I did my job and it was every man for himself after that." Despite his unwavering commitment to activism, Springsteen revealed he chooses his battles carefully. Bono shared an anecdote about Springsteen politely but firmly declining requests to sign various petitions in the past. More notably, Bono recalled asking Springsteen to license his 2007 song “Girls In Their Summer Clothes” for a Gap commercial as part of Bono’s (PRODUCT) RED campaign, which aimed to raise funds for fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa. Springsteen's initial response was a refusal, but he interjected during the conversation, admitting, "That was a big mistake, too. I should have said yes." He explained that it was one of his favorite songs, even if not a hit, and conceded, "I should have f–king done it. I have to apologize."

Following a moment of embrace, Bono and Springsteen welcomed a third Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Patti Smith, to the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center stage. Accompanied by Tony Shanahan on keys, Smith delivered a poignant rendition of “Peaceable Kingdom,” a plea for peace inspired by Rachel Corrie, who was tragically killed by an Israeli military bulldozer in 2003 while protesting the demolition of Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip. Smith then electrified the audience with her live favorite, “People Have the Power,” a rousing anthem for activism, with Springsteen and Shanahan providing acoustic guitar backing. Bono, initially off-stage, was called back by Bruce to contribute backup vocals.

While the advance program did not promise a live performance from Springsteen, the audience quietly hoped for one. Their hopes were realized as Springsteen delivered an utterly mesmerizing solo version of “Land of Hope and Dreams.” Before departing the stage to a standing ovation, Springsteen left the New York City audience with one final, memorable thought: “Go Knicks.”