What Is A “Seger Bar”?

by Ian Gualtiere ’27 on February 26, 2026

A&E - Music

Investigating An Instagram Trend

One of the crowning achievements of classic rock is its enduring, timeless charm that continues to stay relevant to each new generation. The vibrant songs of The Beatles are still sung as lullabies from parents to children, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” is the seventh-inning staple for Red Sox games at Fenway Park, contemporary rapper Frank Ocean dubbed vocals over The Eagles’ “Hotel California,” and a slew of film biopics surrounding Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, and Elton John are seemingly the buzz of awards season each year. One of the more increasingly revived artists from this bygone era of music, where vinyl albums ruled daily conversations and the holiday season, is the Detroit-native rocker Bob Seger. Even though Seger is 80 years old and has since retired from making and performing his greatest hits such as “Night Moves” and “Old Time Rock & Roll,” his raspy voice and gritty lyrics have inspired one Watertown, MA local, Brian Daly, or @wickedfast.

In an interview with The Boston Globe, Daly said, “To me, Bob Seger is just so nostalgic to like, something about growing up in the cold, salty streets of Massachusetts.” This notion is shared by many, where the lyrics of Seger tend to evoke images of empty dive bars, driving down the highway at night, beautiful losers, and the first rush of romance in a young person’s life. The ebbs and flows of life are complete in a single Seger song, where the quiet desperation of loss is then followed by the loudest yell of freedom and individuality. Though this is indicative of most Seger songs, a listen to “Roll Me Away” would suffice. Daly was inspired by these images and the hopeful communal love for Seger to start hopping around local Boston watering holes with one single objective in mind: ask them to play Seger. The origin of these videos from Daly’s Instagram account can be dated to late November 2025, when he first appeared in front of Olde Magoun’s Saloon in Somerville, MA; Daly then asked his audience a simple question: “Is it a bar, or is it a Seger bar?” This single video garnered 30.5k likes on social media as Daly asked the waitress if they could change up the music, to which the waitress responded that the music was already on a set playlist for the day. This deterrence has not stopped Daly from frequenting the locals around Boston in search of the bars, pubs, and saloons that would “play a little Seger.”

Hilarity has ensued in the past several months as Daly continues to ask the simple question, but a growing crowd of friends, family, and other Instagram accounts have started to accompany him. A notable video contains Daly asking the question at The Burren in Somerville; he is promptly told that the live band is starting to play. The video cuts to a full-scale Irish pub band as they sing Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band’s “Like A Rock.”

This weekend, the playbook is quite simple. You walk into the nearest bar, pub, or tavern; order yourself a drink at the bar; and then ask the bartender if they would play a song from Seger on the music system. If they agree to play whichever song from the Seger song catalogue, then this bar is indeed a “Seger Bar.” If not, you walk away dejectedly from the bar and sit down with your friends and commiserate over a pint and the fact that you are not listening to “Night Moves” or “Still The Same.” If not, don’t be deterred and continue looking for that “certified Seger bar.”

And for those wondering about the Seger scene around Providence College: Bradley Cafe (Yes) and Old Irish Social Club (Yes).

State Leaders React to the Presence of ICE in their Communities

by Madison Benoit ‘29 on February 5, 2026

News

As the country reacts to the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement related shootings in Minneapolis, MN, many states have begun to make changes to restrict ICE activities. In Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey announced new regulations and has made several legislative proposals. One of these proposals includes an executive order that would stop the state from entering a new cooperation agreement with ICE. The same order also prevents federal agents from making civil arrests in non-public areas of state-owned buildings. Governor Healy has also filed legislation that would prevent ICE agents from entering protected areas, including schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship. These actions are intended to prevent ICE from trampling the rights of Americans and committing unlawful actions.

In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has shown support for banning formal cooperation agreements with ICE. This is especially notable in New York, as the state currently has 11 municipalities that have cooperation agreements with the agency. Hochul has emphasized that there is no need for New York police officers to assist with civil immigration enforcement. She was supported at the conference by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the Police Chief of Albany, Brendan Cox, and four of the five New York City district Attorneys.

The Department of Homeland Security has reacted to this policy with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating, “Our partnerships with state and local law enforcement are key to removing criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists from American communities.” Hochul has directly stated that the new legislation proposal is a result of the murders of Reneé Good and Alex Pretti, who were both shot by ICE officers in Minneapolis.

Similar moves to ban cooperation agreements have been taken up in several other states, including Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, and others. What exactly does this mean?

The cooperation agreements are known as a 287(g). Generally, this means that local law enforcement officials will check the immigration status of individuals they have already taken into custody. This is done by deputized local officers who will not only check their immigration status, but also have the power to begin the removal process by recommending either voluntary departure or a formal hearing. A voluntary removal would prevent the 5–10-year ban from entering the U.S. again. Although the 287(g) can vary, this is the most common agreement type. By banning these agreements, states are looking to limit the power of ICE while maintaining a strong separation between ICE and their local law enforcement.