A major two-night concert event is set to bring some of the biggest names in music to the Jersey Shore in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Titled “Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us,” the shows will take place June 4–5 at the OceanFirst Bank Center on the Monmouth University campus in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The performances lead into the June 7 grand opening of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music and are expected to serve as a centerpiece of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations.
Headlining the event are Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, joined by a wide-ranging roster that includes Kenny Chesney, Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, Gary Clark Jr., Dion, Dropkick Murphys, Shemekia Copeland, Valerie June, Keb’ Mo’, Nils Lofgren, Darlene Love, Public Enemy, David Sancious, Tony Trischka and Sister Sadie, Mavis Staples, Trombone Shorty and the New Breed Brass Band, Stevie Van Zandt, and Jimmie Vaughan. The Disciples of Soul will act as the house band, with more performers expected to be announced.
Each artist will perform “landmark songs from American music history,” spanning genres such as rock, blues, hip-hop, country, folk, jazz, bluegrass, and gospel. Narration will introduce each set, offering background on the songs, artists, and their cultural impact. Robert Santelli, executive director of the Springsteen Center and the concerts’ executive producer, said in a statement: “Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us is a journey through American music history. The concerts reflect everything the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music stands for: the power of music to bring people together, the rich and diverse treasury of American music as a mirror of our national culture, and the inspiration to think about our shared history in these divisive times.”
The upcoming concerts build on the Center’s broader semiquincentennial programming, which began in 2024 with the traveling exhibit “Music America: Iconic Objects from America’s Music History,” currently on display at the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame in Boston. The Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music will also house the Springsteen Archives, preserving photographs, memorabilia, oral histories, and materials tied to Springsteen and the E Street Band.
Eileen Chapman, the Center’s director, shared: “We’re honored to bring together some of the most celebrated performers of our time for this once-in-a-lifetime event. By uniting these artists on one stage, we’re creating an unforgettable experience that honors our past while inspiring the next generation who will shape our future.”
For information, head to springsteencenter.org.
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