On January 30, Rise Against guitarist Zach Blair and vocalist Tim McIlrath delivered a powerful performance at First Avenue, the legendary Minneapolis venue that has long been a hub for innovative musicians since the 1970s. This event was part of the Concert of Solidarity & Resistance to Defend Minnesota, a protest concert that also served as a fundraiser for the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two protestors tragically shot dead by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during the federal government's recent siege of the Twin Cities.
Stripped-Down Set with Political Themes
Blair and McIlrath performed stripped-down versions of their own songs, including politically charged originals like Welcome to the Breakdown, a 2017 track that eerily predicted the rise of right-wing populist leaders and attacks on democracy. They also played Prayer of the Refugee, a song addressing resilience, discrimination, and displacement among marginalized communities in the United States. The set concluded with a cover of Neil Young's Keep on Rockin' in the Free World, a fiery anthem originally written to protest the George H.W. Bush administration in 1989.
The Solidarity & Resistance concert was organized by Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, one of the most politically vocal bands of the past three decades. A surprise guest that evening was Bruce Springsteen, who had recently released Streets of Minneapolis about the ICE killings and has been crafting politically progressive songs for over half a decade. At the end of the night, all participants joined together for a rousing rendition of Power to the People.
Band's Reflections on the Event
"Seeing it full of people who have been dealing with all these atrocities and watching their city be the epicentre of all this injustice peacefully protesting, standing together—it was just beautiful," said Blair in an interview with Postmedia from Los Angeles. "As artists, all we can really do is play music and sing about what is important to us. To be able to do it at that moment in that place was just amazing."
Historical Context and Political Roots
As their name suggests, Rise Against has always been unabashedly political. Formed in Chicago in 1999, the band rose to prominence in the wake of 9/11 as part of a new wave of politically motivated punk acts. They have consistently voiced their opinions, supporting environmental causes, anti-war initiatives, and projects like the pro-LGBTQ organization It Gets Better.
Blair, who joined the band in 2008, notes that the years since Donald Trump's 2016 rise have provided ample material for the band and other like-minded acts to rage against. Historically, political unrest and right-wing dominance have fueled fertile periods for artists, particularly in the punk scene. "I'd rather we didn't have to deal with it, but here we are," says Blair. "That's OK, because we'll still be here and we'll still respond to it."
Evolution and New Album
Rise Against released its 10th studio album, Ricochet, in 2025. While the songs remain political and often dystopian, chronicling "our collective unravelling," the overall themes emphasize interconnectedness and community. The band launched The A.R.T. Project earlier this year, inviting dedicated fans to create original posters for a series of music videos.
Sonically, the music retains its urgency and melodic hardcore roots but has become more polished and anthemic, with Australian producer Catherine Marks at the helm. "In a nutshell, the prime mover was 'Let's try things differently,'" says Blair. "We took some creative risks, some leaps. I, and I think all of us, want to be part of a band that pushes itself."
Canadian Tour and Fan Connection
Canadian fans have been among the most devoted over the years, and Rise Against's upcoming tour includes multiple dates across the country. Blair expresses a special kinship with Canada, noting that as American artists, they feel a responsibility to address the political climate. "Even if you're not a political band like we are, you're still an ambassador for your country when there is this shameful idiot running everything into the ground," he says. "So we're coming up and apologizing pretty much. I feel like we owe other countries an apology, even though we are not responsible."
Tour Dates
- March 5 – Montreal, QC – L’Olympia
- March 6 – Montreal, QC – L’Olympia
- March 8 – Ottawa, ON – Hard Rock Casino
- March 10 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY
- March 11 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY
- March 21 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
- March 22 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
- March 24 – Edmonton, AB – Convention Centre
- March 25 – Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle Casino Event Centre
- March 27 – Penticton, BC – Penticton Trade + Convention Centre
- March 28 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum
For those unable to attend in person, live shows and events can be streamed via VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada, offering an introductory discount of 30% off.
