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It was a triumphant return to Wales for the legend that is Bruce Springsteen and his E-Street band opening his European tour in Cardiff last night in true ‘Boss’ style with a stunning 3-hour set that left his adoring fans stunned.
I must confess that not being a great Bruce fan, it took some convincing to attend this gig, yet walked away cheerful in the fact that I’d just witnessed one of rock’s greatest ever performers and after all these years I finally ‘got’ what all the fuss was about.
Looking extremely fit for all of his 74 years and backed by the quite brilliant E-Street band his songs played live take on a life of their own played with jaw-dropping intensity and power, almost like a religious experience, worshipping at the Church of Bruce.
Opening with So Young and in Love the tempo was set early on as Bruce and band powered from song to song with little or no introduction. Songs like No Surrender and Better Days were anthemic and incredibly uplifting whist his control throughout, changing tempo and pace showed what a great and iconic performer he’s become so comfortable and at home amongst his thousands of fans, knowing full well that he can do no wrong in their adoring eyes. And he certainly delivers.
His mega band consisting of E-Street Band stalwarts Nils Lofgren, Steve Van Zandt and Jake Clemons ( nephew of the late Clarence Clemons, former E-Street giant) were what you would expect from a band with so much experience and talent, a joy to listen to as they superbly supported their leader through such an exhausting evening.
Sadly, the heartfelt solo acoustic tribute to his friend George, Last Man Standing, was drowned out by inane chatter that tends to be a problem of late at this type of gig. That and the constant stream of people heading to the bar does frustrate but fortunately Bruce was so good that this irritation was quickly forgotten.
Major highlights for me were his cover of the Commodores Nightshit, slotted effortlessly in amongst Springsteen classic like the stunning The River and Because The Night whilst the last 30 minutes of a quite splendid show was one of the best I’d ever seen with both band and crowd bonding for what was an electric finish, from one of rock’s true greats.
Setlist
So Young and in Love
(tour debut, first time since 2013)
Lonesome Day
No Surrender
Prove It All Night
Darlington County
Ghosts
Better Days
(tour debut, sign request, first time since 2017)
The Promised Land
Spirit in the Night
Hungry Heart
If I Was the Priest
(tour debut, sign request)
My City of Ruins
(interspersed with band introductions)
Nightshift
(Commodores cover)
The River
(tour debut)
Last Man Standing
Backstreets
Because the Night
(Patti Smith Group cover)
She's the One
Wrecking Ball
The Rising
Badlands
Thunder Road
Encore:
Born in the U.S.A.
(tour debut)
Born to Run
Bobby Jean
Dancing in the Dark
(followed by band introductions)
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Twist and Shout
(The Top Notes cover)
Encore 2:
I'll See You in My Dreams
(solo acoustic)
