Bruce Springsteen Delivers Emotional Speech and Surprise Performance at “Deliver Me From Nowhere” Premiere
NEW YORK – Bruce Springsteen didn’t hold back when he took the stage at the New York Film Festival premiere of Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere on Sept. 28.
The 76-year-old rock legend, whose decades-long career has made him one of America’s most powerful musical voices, appeared at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall to celebrate the film’s debut. The new biopic stars Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) as Springsteen, tracing the creation of his haunting 1982 album Nebraska.
After the screening, Springsteen joined the cast and crew onstage — and surprised the packed audience with an intimate, acoustic performance of his moving anthem “Land of Hope and Dreams.”
“These days, we have daily events reminding us we’re living through particularly dangerous times,” Springsteen said before strumming his guitar. “I’ve spent my life on the road as a kind of musical ambassador for America — trying to measure the distance between our reality and the American dream.”
Then, with his signature mix of grit and idealism, he added:
“As bad as it feels right now for a lot of folks, she still remains a land of hope and dreams — not fear, divisiveness, government censorship, or hatred. That America is worth fighting for. So it’s in that spirit I brought along my lifelong weapon of choice: the guitar.”
His remarks struck a chord in a country still reeling from the recent murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the controversy that followed, including Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension over remarks about the tragedy. Springsteen’s message of unity and perseverance drew thunderous applause and chants of “Bruuuce!” that filled the hall.
Before leaving the stage, Springsteen told the audience to “stay strong,” his words met with a standing ovation.
A Star-Studded Tribute to “The Boss”
The Deliver Me From Nowhere cast joined Springsteen in celebrating the deeply personal film, which hits theaters October 24.
Springsteen embraced lead actor Jeremy Allen White, thanking him for embodying the spirit behind Nebraska.
“You put your whole heart and soul into the part,” Springsteen told him. “You did such a wonderful job — and for playing a much better-looking version of me. I’m really thankful for that.”
He also praised Jeremy Strong, who plays his longtime manager Jon Landau, and offered an emotional nod to Stephen Graham and Gaby Hoffmann, who portray his late parents:
“Stephen, for being the living embodiment of my dad — a man who had a hard life but a good heart — and Gaby, for her beautiful portrayal of my mom. They’re both gone now, so it’s nice to have this piece of film.”
“He’s Everything You Hope He’d Be”
Writer-director Scott Cooper shared a moving story about Springsteen’s generosity. Earlier this year, Cooper’s family lost their home in California’s Palisades Fire.
“My wife and kids were staying in a hotel,” Cooper recalled, “and Bruce said, ‘Scott, get them out of the hotel. Take them to my house.’ Which we did — and we stayed there until we got back on our feet. That’s who Bruce Springsteen is. He’s everything and more than you expect.”
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere isn’t just a movie about making music — it’s a portrait of pain, resilience, and the relentless American spirit that has defined “The Boss” for half a century.
And as Bruce reminded everyone that night, even in dark times, there’s still a land of hope and dreams worth fighting for.