Music America: The Songs That Shaped Us brought a wide mix of American music to Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, on Friday, June 5. Organizers presented the concert as part of the lead-up to the public opening of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music.
The event’s lineup reflected the show’s broad theme, with Bruce Springsteen joined by Jon Bon Jovi, Public Enemy, Jackson Browne, Mavis Staples, Gary Clark Jr., Darlene Love, Nils Lofgren, Stevie Van Zandt and others. The Disciples of Soul served as the house band for the night.
The concert focused on songs and styles that helped shape American popular music, moving through rock, soul, folk, blues, gospel and hip-hop. Springsteen appeared throughout the evening in several collaborations, while Public Enemy represented hip-hop with Fight the Power.
The two-night Music America event was tied to the center’s grand opening week and to the larger celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.