Bruce Springsteen talks seashells at Long Island show | Review

Chris Jordan, Asbury Park PressWed, May 6, 2026 at 9:25 AM UTC

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Careful at the beach this summer.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band delivered nearly three hours of righteous and rocking music -- and a tip for the summer of 2026 -- at the group's Tuesday, May 5 show at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

“Don’t go to the beach and play with any seashells,” said Springsteen, referencing the indictment of former FBI head James Comey for a social media post of seashells forming the numbers “86 47.”

The advice came during Springsteen’s This Is Happening Now speech, where the transgressions of the Trump administration is cited as the opening chords of “My City of Ruins” is played.

“Our justice department has completely abdicated its independence and it takes its marching orders directly from corrupt White House,” Springsteen said.

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band bring their Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Monday, April 20, 2026.

More: Bruce Springsteen No Kings This is Happening Now speech explained

The Boss lays it on good in the No Kings-themed Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour, but there are lines in the sand he does not cross. Springsteen does not comment on Trump's personal appearance, as Trump has commented on Springsteen’s, nor does Springsteen demonize Trump.

Telling is Springsteen's changing the lyrics of the Clash’s “Clampdown,” performed on Tuesday, from “evil presidente” to “corrupt presidente.”

Springsteen also calls for non-violent action at the end of the show.

“Find a way to take aggressive, peaceful action to defend our country’s ideals and do as the great civil rights leader John Lewis said, 'Go out and get into some good trouble',” Springsteen said.

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The mission of the show is a higher calling of the art, and the band, which features several member in their 70s, seem energized by it.

Classics like “Promised Land,” “Born in the USA “, and “Badlands” have taken on a new purpose and burst with an invigorating zeal. The performance of “Badlands” on the tour has become a wow moment. Fans in the pit, arms outstretched, jumped up and down high during its playing on Tuesday, seemingly reaching for the retired Mike Bossy Islanders No. 22 jersey in the rafters.

“American Skin (41 Shots)” has a new dimension. The song was originally written in the wake of the fatal shooting of immigrant Amadou Diallo in 1999 by members of the New York City Police Department. Here, it takes on a new context with the ICE crackdowns and multiple shootings of immigrants and protesters by federal agents in the last several months.

Band member Jake Clemons, the nephew of the late Clarence Clemons, stands on stage with his arms held up high during the song, a testimony to those struck down because of their American skin.

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band bring their Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Monday, April 20, 2026.

The E Street Band -- now numbering 19 on stage -- are finely tuned, ferocious and fun. Clemons and violinist Soozie Tyell adorably act out the narrative of “Born to Run” when the classic is played and yes, the Boss celebrated Cinco de Mayo on stage. A group of gals in pink T-shirts held up a “Cinco de Mayo show?” sign and Springsteen obliged. A miniature bottle of unknown origin and unknown contents was partaken by Springsteen after “Badlands.”

The E Street Band guitarists especially stood out on Long Island Tuesday night. Nils Lofgren soared on his “Because the Night” solo and Tom Morello brought a rebel energy to the stage and a mesmerizing sleight of hand to his playing. How did he play the high notes of his “Ghost of Tom Joad” solo without touching his guitar? Little Steve Van Zandt, the tonemaster on guitar, incinerated the stage on his “Murder Incorporated” solo.

The guy in front ain't too bad either, both on guitar and vocals. His voice soared, cooed and bellowed as the moment needed. By the end of the show he was drenched and breathless, his statement of American hope delivered.

Bruce Springsteen Land of Hope and Dreams Long Island setlist -

War

Born in the U.S.A.

Death to My Hometown

Clampdown

No Surrender

Darkness on the Edge of Town

Streets of Minneapolis

The Promised Land

Out in the Street

Two Hearts

Hungry Heart

Youngstown

Murder Incorporated

American Skin (41 Shots)

Long Walk Home

House of a Thousand Guitars

My City of Ruins

Because the Night

Wrecking Ball

The Rising

The Ghost of Tom Joad

Badlands

Land of Hope and Dreams

American Land

Born to Run

Dancing in the Dark

Tenth Avenue Freeze-out

Chimes of Freedom

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@app.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bruce Springsteen talks seashells at No Kings Long Island show

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