Springsteen covers Neil Young with Grohl, Matthews and Morello in Maryland
Bruce Springsteen played Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" live for the first time in more than 20 years, joined on stage by Dave Grohl, Dave Matthews and Tom Morello.
The joint performance was part of his set at the Power to the People Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland, Rolling Stone reported on 4 October 2026. It was Springsteen's first live performance of the song since 2004.
Grohl, Matthews and Morello all joined Springsteen on stage for the song. Morello, who organised and curated the festival, played guitar alongside them. The venue listing for the event also named Nate Mendel, Pat Smear and Chris Shiflett alongside Springsteen and Grohl.
The festival was a non-partisan, one-day event organised as a celebration of peace, love, justice, music and community action, according to its venue page. It was headlined by Springsteen, Dave Matthews and Foo Fighters, The Banner reported on 3 October. Another report described it as a protest festival.
Springsteen also performed with Joan Baez during the event, NJ Arts reported on 4 October. Details of that collaboration were shared through video from the site.
"Rockin' in the Free World" is a 1989 song by Neil Young. Young previously objected when Donald Trump played the song at the kickoff event for his presidential bid, Rolling Stone reported in 2015.
Springsteen arrived at the festival with a long commercial record. He has sold more than 140 million records around the globe, including more than 70 million in the United States, according to his official biography. That biography also credits him with 20 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, two Golden Globes and a Special Tony Award.
Earlier this year, Springsteen and Morello performed in Minneapolis to protest the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Rolling Stone reported in January. The Maryland appearance continued that run of protest-linked performances.
