I must admit I wasn't a huge fan of Bruce only in the last few years as I rediscovered some of his classic albums. I guess growing up having 'Born in the USA' on the radio every ten minutes put me off him and didn't listen to anything after that, I'm glad I got over that.
I have been told by everyone that his live show is one of the best in the world , I have been meaning to catch him for awhile now but ticket prices and the trip up to Dublin just didn't work out. Had him on my list of bands to see before I die for a long time (List here).
I was blown away to hear he was playing Limerick and jumped at the opportunity the day the tickets came out. My expectations were high and what I got was far beyond what people had said. What we were treated to last night was special and to have it in your own hometown adds to the occasion. According to early revellers Bruce arrived out at 5.00 for 20 minutes to play three acoustic tracks. Two from his album 'Greetings' , The Flood and on piano 'For You' and then checked out the many request cards being held up in the crowd and picked out 'Hearts of Stone'. So in total he played for four hours and ten minutes last night.
Some serious stamina for a man of sixty three , he raises the bar on live performers and gives everything he has while he is on stage. His shirt went from dry to pools of sweat by the end of the night as he danced around the stage loving every minute. His interaction with crowd is exemplary as he shook hands and high fived as many as he could. The die hards who had been queuing for two nights for a good spot (1 guy apparently out there since last Thursday) had signs holding up requests and Bruce was loving it. Picking out a handful that took his fancy and showing them to the band 'Were doing this ok , I think its in B or maybe A' . He was handed a pint of beer at one stage from the crowd which he downed in one and another member of the crowd handed a huge Irish passport which opened up to reveal all Bruce's details and passport picture, a brilliant gift! One sign being held by a kid named Ross requested he sang with him and that it was his birthday and sure enough he got his wish. Check it out here.
He managed to get in some local references congratulating the Limerick hurlers on winning the Munster Final at the weekend. (Which the city is still on a high over, We were only waiting 17 years).
He also dedicated 'My Hometown' to local horse jockey JT McNamara who was badly injured in a race recently in Cheltenham. Another dedication went to Trayvon Martin, the florida teen shot dead last year with the track 'American Skin'.
The atmosphere was electric throughout the ground and it was just one big party, The weather played a big part as we are having one of the best summers in history. Bruce mentioned its nice to have a similar evenings heat like New Jersey. The mammoth set included the full album of 'Born to Run' and some fan favourites. I don't think anyone left disappointed with the song choices. The set was book ended with 'This little light of Mine' which by the end of the night had the crowd screaming it back to him. What a night!!! Cheers Bruce , Please come back!
Set List:
This Little Light of Mine
American Land
Badlands
Death to My Hometown
Hungry Heart
Spirit in the Night
Ain't Too Proud to Beg (The Temptations cover)
American Skin (41 Shots)
The Promised Land
Wrecking Ball
We Take Care of Our Own
Jack of All Trades
The River
Thunder Road
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Night
Backstreets
Born to Run
She's the One
Meeting Across the River
Jungleland
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The Rising
Land of Hope and Dreams
Encore:
My Hometown
Born in the U.S.A.
Glory Days
Bobby Jean
Drive All Night
Dancing in the Dark
Shout (The Isley Brothers cover)
This Little Light of Mine
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1 comment:
Awesome!
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