In an evening thick with outrage and protest and war and death and rebellion, the most subversive moment in Bruce Springsteen’s concert in Sunrise on Thursday had nothing to do with politics.
It came during “Hungry Heart,” the 1980 love song that was Springsteen’s first single to reach the Top 10 on the Billboard chart. Perhaps relieved from the heavy themes that preceded it, the crowd exploded into a euphoric celebration of singing and dancing.
In that moment, all the troubles that Springsteen and the audience had commiserated over during the first third of the concert evaporated into a place of uninhibited, joyous nostalgia. It seemed to be a perfectly timed reminder: Remember when we — and America — felt like that? Why can’t we get back there again?
Gary Press, of Pompano Beach, and his 25-year-old daughter, Karli, danced in the aisle. Raised on Springsteen’s music, she wept into her father’s embrace.
“I was listening to Bruce since I was a little girl. It was a song that I haven’t heard since I was 6, 7 years old,” she said. “It felt like I was the little girl version of me, and I just started crying. I was weeping on his chest.”
Her dad gets it, calling Springsteen “an inspiration.”
“Springsteen and I have been traveling down a road together for 52 years. What was affecting him in his life was affecting me in my life, so many times. He gave me hope, and through his music, I found I could do better,” Press said.
Bruce Springsteen fans, clockwise from left, Gary Press, of Pompano Beach, wife Randi Press, daughter Karli Press and son Zachary Press at Bruce Springsteen’s concert at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Thursday. (Ben Crandell/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Springsteen and The E Street Band brought their Land of Hope and Dreams crusade to South Florida on Thursday for a rousing night of iconic American rock ’n’ roll and unrestrained political protest in front of a packed house at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.
In announcing the impromptu 20-date tour — the Sunrise show was the eighth, and the only one scheduled in Florida — Springsteen cited the need to speak out against “dark, disturbing and dangerous times” created by a “wannabe king.”
On Thursday, he acknowledged another motive for hustling the tour together — to make sure the rest of America felt the same way, to confirm that “the America that I’ve written about for 50 years” was still there.
“I needed to hear your voices, I needed to see you,” he told the crowd, the house lights at full illumination.
The tone was set with the opening salvo of horns in Edwin Starr’s Vietnam-era soul classic “War,” with Springsteen and his 18-member band roaring off on a three-hour concert that ended with his clothes drenched in sweat. At 76 (just three years younger than his adversary in the White House), Springsteen remains a limber rock ’n’ roll force.
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band onstage at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Thursday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, including Jake Clemons (nephew of Clarence), left, in concert at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Thursday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band onstage at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Thursday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band take their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour to the Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday April 23, 2026. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band onstage at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Thursday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The set list leaned into protest themes, of course, and several times Springsteen took a moment to sit on a step to explain his anger with the actions of “a corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless and treasonous administration.” It was a message received by enthusiastic applause.
The night included spirited versions of “Born in the U.S.A.,” “My City of Ruins,” “Wrecking Ball,” “The Rising,” “No Surrender” and “Streets of Minneapolis,” with Springsteen’s references to Renee Good and Alex Pretti greeted by cheers.
Tom Morello added fiery rage to a cover of The Clash’s “Clampdown” and offered a reminder, as if one were needed, that he is one of rock’s most nimble and gifted guitarists on “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” which he concluded with the Steinbeck lines: “Wherever there’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever there’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there.”
Amid the wrath, lighter songs such as “Born to Run” and “Dancing in the Dark” joined “Hungry Heart” in producing some of the most energetic bouncing and fist-pumping.
Scott Cantor, 43, of Jupiter, grew up with Springsteen and saw him live for the first time on Thursday, joined by his wife, Venus, from the Philippines, who “tagged along.”
“He was great. I’ve liked him since I was a kid, and I’ve wanted to see him forever,” said Cantor, who was unaware of the political motivations for the tour when he got the tickets. “I was good with it. I didn’t mind that at all.”
His sister, Molly Brice, of Palm Beach Gardens, was more enthusiastic: “I loved it. I agreed with all of it. I couldn’t stop standing, laughing, crying. It was great.”
Fort Lauderdale resident Chaz Smith offered a two-word review: “Bruuuuce! Awesome!” But it wasn’t a perfect show for him.
“I get it, dark days, war, economy. But I didn’t need all the speeches. I’d rather hear ‘Jungleland’ or ‘[Incident on] 57th Street’ or ‘Glory Days,’” Smith said. “But I get it. He’s on a mission.”
Randi Press, Gary’s wife, was conflicted for different reasons.
“I thought it was outstanding. The set list was fabulous. It was a great show. It was poignant. I didn’t agree with everything, but I think his heart is in the right place,” she said. “I wish I heard a few positive things about the things this administration has done. Just a few positives. But I think it was filled with hope.”
Barbara and John Appleby, of Jupiter, wore “I Teach Rock” shirts at Bruce Springsteen’s concert at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. (Ben Crandell/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Barbara Appleby, a retired special-education teacher from Jupiter, and husband John wore “I Teach Rock” T-shirts, which support a free education program founded by Springsteen’s bandmate, Stevie Van Zandt.
The Applebys have been fans of Springsteen and his “powerful message” since the 1980s, even traveling to Europe to see him.
“What a bunch of talent. Different message, different eras, but great songs, great talent, a 19-piece band. What more can you ask for?” she said as Springsteen thanked the crowd. “Thank you, Bruce!”
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on IG: @BenCrandell.