At the Academy Museum Gala on October 18 in Los Angeles, Bruce Springsteen ended a 13-year wait by performing “Streets of Philadelphia” outside its home city for the first time since 2012. The song, which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and four GRAMMYs, was delivered with a simple yet powerful arrangement. Springsteen also received the Legacy Award at the gala, honoring his significant impact on music and storytelling.
With just his guitar, The Boss played a brief but memorable set, featuring the haunting “Atlantic City” and closing with the uplifting “Land of Hope and Dreams.” The Legacy Award celebrates artists who shape narratives and influence society. Before this performance, fans last heard “Streets of Philadelphia” away from Philadelphia during a concert in Louisville in 2012. The song remains one of Springsteen’s most celebrated works, written for the groundbreaking 1993 film, Philadelphia.
This event also marked the lead-up to two exciting projects. Jeremy Allen White stars in the upcoming film, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, set to release on October 24. White shared that he was unsure about taking the role since he doesn’t play guitar or sing, but Springsteen encouraged him. The film focuses on the creation of Springsteen’s iconic album, Nebraska. Additionally, a new box set titled Nebraska ’82: Expanded Edition, featuring five discs, will be released soon.
The gala also honored other stars. Penelope Cruz received the Icon Award, while Walter Salles took home the Luminary Award. Bowen Yang won the Vantage Award, even missing his Saturday Night Live duties to attend. It was a night to remember for music lovers!
