Mick Jagger says fans don’t come to concerts to hear a political lecture in the wake of Bruce Springsteen’s on-stage speeches targeting President Trump.
The Rolling Stones frontman weighed in during an interview on The New York Times’ podcast Saturday after host David Marchese questioned him about Springsteen, who has repeatedly criticized President Trump during his latest tour.
Marchese said Springsteen “clearly sees his job as engaging in a meaningful back and forth” with fans before asking Jagger, “What does your relationship to the audience mean to you? What do they represent, all those people out there?”
“The bottom line of my thing really is that my job in the live music world is [for] those people that come is to have the best time they possibly can,” Jagger said.
“For two hours or whatever it is, to forget all their problems and the problems of the world and their mortgages and whatever, just to give them the best time they can have.”
Jagger, 82, insisted live shows should offer fans an escape from the pressures of everyday life.
“It’s similar to going to a sports event, really, because everything else is shouted out,” he continued. “You’re just watching who’s going to win. You’re not worrying about everything else.”
“You don’t want to lecture them,” he added.
The “Paint It Black” rocker stressed that no two audiences are the same and performers should adjust to the crowd instead of expecting the same reaction everywhere they play.
“Your job is to make them have the best time they possibly can,” Jagger said.
The comments come after Springsteen has repeatedly blasted Trump during his concerts this year, as part of the Boss’ “Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour.”
Springsteen labeled Trump’s administration “reckless” and accused the president of being “treasonous.”
The New Jersey native also released a song referring to “King Trump” and his “federal thugs” after the deaths of anti-ICE protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Trump has fired back at Springsteen, calling him a “dried up prune” in a Truth Social post and urging his supporters to boycott the singer’s tour.
Jagger explained he’s not opposed to politics making their way into his music — he just prefers a lighter touch.
“I’ve got into this habit of doing songs that are about personal relationships and then I throw a verse about politics in there,” he said.
“Nobody wants to hear a whole song about politics,” Jagger added.
Despite his comments, the Rolling Stones singer did take a swipe at Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry while performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May 2024.
“We’re a welcoming crowd, aren’t we?” Jagger told the audience. “I hope Mr. Landry is enjoying the show. He’s real inclusive you know. He’s trying to take us back to the Stone Age.”
Landry fired back on X: “You can’t always get what you want. The only person who might remember the Stone Age is Mick Jagger. Love you buddy, you’re always welcome in Louisiana! #LoveMyCountryMusic.”
