Jersey Shore Bar Cancels Springsteen Cover Band Over Bruce Springsteen's Anti-Trump Rants

A New Jersey tribute band devoted to Bruce Springsteen has canceled a highly anticipated performance at a local bar following a dispute with the venue’s owner over Springsteen’s recent anti-Trump remarks. The clash comes just days after the iconic singer-songwriter’s critical comments about former President Donald Trump drew widespread attention during his European tour.

No Surrender, a veteran nine-member Springsteen cover band with two decades of history, was scheduled to perform at Riv’s Toms River Hub on May 30. But their plans unraveled after Springsteen delivered several pointed on-stage criticisms targeting Trump, prompting concern among some Garden State business owners, including Riv’s proprietor, Tony Rivoli.

Band leader Brad Hobicorn said he began receiving “concerned texts” from Rivoli shortly after Springsteen’s speeches went viral. By Sunday, the show—booked nine months in advance—was abruptly called off, with Rivoli citing the political leanings of the restaurant’s clientele. In messages reportedly exchanged with the band, Rivoli explained that hosting a Springsteen tribute would be “too risky at the moment” and expressed frustration over the potential fallout.

“Unfortunately it’s just too much money. I wanted to do the Springsteen tribute for that money… but now because Bruce can’t keep his mouth shut we’re screwed,” Rivoli wrote to Hobicorn, referencing both the cost and the controversy.

Efforts by the band to salvage the gig by shifting to a classic rock setlist were also rebuffed. According to reports, Rivoli balked at the idea of paying $2,500 for performances not focused on Springsteen’s catalog.

In further correspondence, Rivoli asserted his loyalty to conservative values, stating, “Whenever the national anthem plays, my bar stands and is in total silence, that’s our clientele. Toms River is red and won’t stand for [Springsteen’s] bull—.”

The situation took another twist after band member Guy Fleming posted about the cancellation on Facebook, prompting Rivoli to claim he hadn’t actually called off the show and was open to having No Surrender perform. However, the band declined, expressing concern over safety and the negative atmosphere that had developed.

“This is not political for us at all,” Hobicorn told media outlets. “We’re just a cover band that’s trying to make some money, and people rely on it financially. We’re the ones really getting hurt.” He added that by the time Rivoli backtracked, “there were negative vibes about the whole thing” and a genuine worry regarding potential tensions at the venue.

For his part, Rivoli maintains that the band could have played, though he questioned whether his usual patrons would have shown up given the circumstances. “You know, who knows? You can’t predict what people are going to do,” he remarked.

The canceled show is the latest in a series of politically charged incidents at Shore-area bars and restaurants. Earlier this year, another Toms River establishment faced backlash and later apologized after naming a menu item after the Proud Boys, a far-right group.

Springsteen, a Long Branch native raised in Freehold, has long been outspoken in his criticism of Republican leaders. Most recently, he labeled Trump’s administration “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous” at a concert in Manchester, England. Trump responded with characteristic vitriol on Truth Social, calling Springsteen “highly overrated” and “dumb as a rock” for attacking him abroad.

Despite losing the Toms River booking, No Surrender will perform as scheduled on May 30 at Headliner Oasis in Neptune Township. For the band, the change of venue marks an unfortunate end to a controversy they say was never about politics, but rather about sharing music in the community.