The Springsteen Thread

[SaitoRyo]

Bruce and the band look like they're on great form during this leg of the tour. I love the intro and how it kicks straight into War. You can see how they did it on opening night here:

And an emotional one from Minneapolis:

 

[Frankie Crisp]

Last night was the closest thing to a religious experience I could possibly imagine.

There was an underlying feeling of togetherness which will never come across in a few sentences on a wrestling forum. But fuck me, it was the most beautiful three hours of my life.

I managed to get to the front and despite my awkwardness of being a gigantic lump, at no point did anyone ask me to get out of their way or make me feel like I was spoiling their view. I was emotional going into the gig for a multitude of reasons, but when Long Walk Home was played -specifically the line about a conversation between a father and son - I completely broke down only to be grabbed and hugged by the bloke next to me who seemed to be feeling the same emotions as me.

The entire set was perfectly laid out but when - as I hoped and expected - they played the electric version of The Ghost of Tom Joad, I just felt consumed with love, pride, grief, anger and hope. I know that sounds massively twatty but I don’t think I’ve ever been consumed with such a feeling in all my years of going to gigs. The only negative is that I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy a concert as much as last night for the rest of my days.

To witness that in person - with Tom Morello stealing the show - was the most wonderful experience I could ever have wished for. Better than the FA Cup final. I can’t believe it happened and I feel extremely lucky.

The best to ever do it.

Edited May 12 by Frankie Crisp

[Tim Healys Chutney Spoon]

There is just something about a Springsteen gig that just takes you completely to a different place emotionally.

 

Looks amazing seats and what a brilliant story. Jealous of you!

 

I mean brilliant that you had a great time and the support of others who you don't know. I don't know of many other artists that quite bring people together like he does

Edited May 12 by Tim Healys Chutney Spoon
Explaining last line

[SuperBacon]

1 hour ago, Frankie Crisp said:

they played the electric version of The Ghost of Tom Joad, 

Was this with Morello? PHHWWWOOOOAAAAAAR.

[HarmonicGenerator]

Stunning photos, Frankie! That must have been unbelievable. Thrilled for you to get to hear Tom Joad in that environment.

[SaitoRyo]

2 hours ago, Frankie Crisp said:

when Long Walk Home was played -specifically the line about a conversation between a father and son - I completely broke down only to be grabbed and hugged by the bloke next to me who seemed to be feeling the same emotions as me.

This happened to a lad standing next to me and my mates when we went to see him in Prague last year. The lad's friends told me he'd had a really tough year because of his young child going through some health problems and there was something about that song that just made him break down. Needless to say, me and my mates were best mates with those lads for the rest of the gig!

Glad you had a great time, Frankie. The setlist looks really good this leg and videos I've seen show the band in top form. I love the way the opening speech segues into War.

[HarmonicGenerator]

I obviously can’t compete with Frankie’s amazing experience on Monday but we were at Brooklyn last night and it was incredible even from up at the top of the arena. The band was fantastic, even the songs I’ve heard live a bunch of times gave me goosebumps. Ghost of Tom Joad a definite highlight, phenomenal stuff. And we got American Land which I haven’t seen live in ages.

Still on a high. I said to Frankie that seeing Springsteen live is like having your health bar filled up, there’s just nothing else like it. Can’t believe we got to see him in (technically) New York. Absolute thrill of a lifetime.

[HarmonicGenerator]

Really nice article on how Bruce has become the voice of the resistance in America.

Writer was at the same show as us in Brooklyn, and has quoted all the between-song political bits, which I can confirm got huge reactions in the arena.

[HarmonicGenerator]

Me again. Starting to hear rumours that there may be some European shows in the offing for next spring. Very much in the “someone messaged to say they heard something from somewhere” level of official right now, but I’ll take it.