01-04-2025
Bruce Springsteen's New Collaborative Project Will Be Released This Month
Bruce Springsteen is getting involved in Record Store Day 2025, and he's not doing so alone. This time, the legendary rocker is teaming up with The Killers for a brand new — and very limited — EP, one that captures a one-of-a-kind moment that many longtime lovers of both bands already know well, even if they weren't there to experience it in person.
Encore at the Garden will be released as a 12-inch vinyl, and it's being billed as a Record Store Day exclusive. Only 5,000 copies are being pressed of the EP, so fans will need to move fast to get their hands on a copy of the title.
The short, three-song project is centered around Springsteen's surprise appearance during The Killers' show at Madison Square Garden back on October 1, 2022. Those who were in the audience that night surely remember the amazing performance, and thankfully for those who were not at the New York City concert, it's been preserved, and will now be available as an album for the very first time.
Side A of the vinyl is set to feature two cuts: 'Badlands,' a staple of Springsteen's catalog that continues to get crowds on their feet decades after its release, and 'Dustland,' a special reworking of The Killers' own 'A Dustland Fairytale' that originally featured Springsteen on the studio version.
Side B includes just one track, but it's a special one. 'Born to Run,' perhaps Sprinsteen's most familiar tune, closes the effort.
The joint performance itself was a highlight of The Killers' Imploding the Mirage Tour. Springsteen wasn't just the only guest star, as he brought longtime E Street Band collaborator Jake Clemons with him.
Record Store Day is a music industry initiative meant to bring people back into independent shops, as well as to celebrate music in its physical form, and this release fits the mission perfectly. Many well-known artists take part, dropping special projects – such as this EP – or offering collectible versions of popular projects on vinyl. The idea is that these projects are only available in brick-and-mortar locations throughout the world, so fans can't jut head to an artist's website or Amazon to buy what they want, they need to go out and support their local record store.
Record Store Day 2025 is set to take place on April 12, 2025.
