From the first notes to the last, every selection was carefully thought out to deliver a message to us, to America, to the world. Murder Incorporated he hollered as the band reassessed where to jump in. My Father's House (guitar) First up was "Sherry Darling," which when followed by "Hungry Heart" made for the ultimate River singalong trio. My Hometown And when they did — boom, the magic happened. Rosalita It was a zippy little poke back at an administration seemingly hellbent on destroying American goodwill around the world — with Steve, Roy, and Garry laughing to his left — but not the most rousing kickoff for a crowd laced with bandana-and-white-t-shirt-wearing guys ("They're cute," wrote Bruce in Born to Run) and looking-for-a-dance girls. Dancing in the Dark/Land of Hope and Dreams (guitar) * * * Auditions are open to all performers 8 years and older. Brilliant Disguise (guitar) - with Patti Scialfa Springsteen It was a lovely bonus to hear the band whose history was just shown on film play live, but no one expected more than a handful of songs. There's so much space, in the songs and the stories, in the building and in the atmosphere Springsteen cultivates, for our own memories to overlay his. Patti Scialfa was there as well and contributed vocals to two songs. No Surrender The Wish (piano) "Jole Blon" came from a sign and went mostly unrecognized, but everyone screamed "sha la la" after Charlie and Soozie dropped a pair of old-timey fiddle and accordion solos. We're going through a terrible chapter in the battle for the soul of our nation. October 6 / Walter Kerr Theatre / New York, NY April 4 -7 / Walter Kerr Theatre / New York, NY Thunder Road It's no exaggeration to say this Christchurch concert has been anticipated for generations. Because the Night - Reporting and photographs (1,2,3,5,9) by Hal Schwartz - additional photographs (4,6,7,8) by Bill Donohoe, Setlist: Bruce introduced a balls-to-the-goofy-wall "I'm Goin' Down" with an odd little story about how he tends to get in fights at home that end with him being asked, "Who do you think you are?! Of course it all sounded great — the E Street Band knows its job — but Bruce was like a drunken insurance salesman at a trust-fund-family wedding, gladhanding and schmoozing with abandon. Setlists Their intimacy points to a real hallmark of the whole night's experience. Veering well off an earlier set list, the grand master was calling songs on intuition. (Also on the bill: Coeur de Pirate, Kelly Clarkson, and Bryan Adams.) Hungry Heart Johnny 99 American Skin (41 Shots) Wrecking Ball The songs, of course, remain the same, with the setlist a constant since opening night — save for a few occasions when Patti Scialfa took ill and alternate songs were swapped in for the two duets. Bruce called out for another beloved cast-off next, and "Be True" sounded equally robust, Clarence's roaring sax finale played with exuberance by Jake. Badlands New York City Serenade (with strings) - Steven Strauss reporting - photographs by Bill Donohoe, Setlist: The Rising Bringing Patti up for "Tougher Than the Rest," Bruce talked about the example set by the President and First Lady through the tough years of the Administration and dedicated this one to them. My City of Ruins I'm on Fire Born to Run (guitar). The second song, "The Promised Land" was absolutely sublime, and Bruce appeared to get emotional and lose himself in the moment. Spirit in the Night Drive All Night Then the evening, with the sun burning red into your eyes, dropping gold into the western mountains. to begin a transformative "Mary's Place." Thunder Road (solo acoustic). "Working on a Dream" made its tour debut tonight and was followed by "Roll of the Dice." The introduction to "Long Walk Home" may not spell it out, but naming names isn't necessary; the message is lost on no one. When walking out of MetLife 3 this past year, many concurred that Bruce had very few other three-night stands that could compare. but compensated with Bruce's first solo of the night. My Father's House (guitar) March 14 / Walter Kerr Theatre / New York, NY Because the Night The Promised Land (guitar) Just fun. Notes: Opening night. There were no special celebrity guests or anything — just staff folk and their significant others. Lonesome Day "I had no idea it would be so sad," a friend said as we headed home, quietly absorbing what we'd seen. The band left the stage, and Bruce returned alone with his acoustic guitar and harmonic rack for a lovely solo "Thunder Road.". His newfound devotion to this song continues to shock and thrill in equal measure. All I could do was study faces, eavesdrop on conversations, put away pints with locals and ask their slurred, ecstatic opinions afterward. Born in the U.S.A. (guitar) Mary's Place Before you knew it, Bruce's acoustic performance was over. Thunder Road. He praised Feed Melbourne for doing God's work and once again read a list of countries represented in the pit. Born to Run Anyone familiar with Springsteen's songbook — and particularly Chapter and Verse, the autobiography's companion album — might envision the songs that will follow. We twisted. There was a lovely reception in the State Dining Room for an hour or so. "Cover Me." Not surprising, considering the dignitaries in attendance included Invictus Games patron HRH Prince Harry, Vice President and Mrs. Biden, and Mme Trudeau, our Prime Minister's wife. Bruce held his guitar aloft waiting for Roy's piano to begin "Growin' Up" before telling the tale of how he came to own an $18 guitar from Western Auto Parts on Main Street in Freehold. We aren't too old for this fight, we have seen it before, and we will not back down. Candy's Room He's streamlined a few sections, expanded and embellished others — and while the pacing of the second half still feels hasty, overall the transitions are smoother, the impressions more developed, the dramatic pauses more dramatically paused. The Ghost of Tom Joad (guitar) This was a stadium special on a glorious Saturday in bushland. Darlington County After the previously mentioned succession of "Shit is fucked up" quips and "You got to bring us up tonight," Bruce bent low and shushed the crowd from just above the pit. Yet, here they were, gathered in celebration of their unique shared history in the short-lived venue on Cookman Avenue. In case Bruce's declaration of solidarity with a new American resistance wasn't enough, the playing of only two songs from The River at an arena bursting with River-themed merchandise proved the good intentions of a feel-good retrospective had been kiboshed for the topical. (solo acoustic) Hungry Heart Growin' Up - 2014 Apr-Dec Setlists Notes: Workshop III, Springsteen's by-invitation dress rehearsal on the Walter Kerr stage before previews begin. There's a lot of room up there, for the spirits to swirl. Youngstown Tonight's finessed jokes landed better than they did in the fall. December 26 / Walter Kerr Theatre / New York, NY With Steve in full goombah mode, Springsteen looked at the crowd and said with purpose, "It's also Boss time." And here I thought an opening (post-"NYC Serenade" of course) couldn't get any more scorching than night two, but along comes Bruce to outdo himself again with "Night." Garry's bass floated above, below and behind it all. Atlantic City POTUS led the foursome off the stage and back toward the Green Room, and out they went. The sun had yet to set behind the stage, but the air was cool — a perfect night for a city never listed on a Springsteen T-shirt until 2017. piano solo and a satisfied, "Yes, yes, yes….". Notes: Patti Scialfa is ill and unable to perform, prompting the first changes in the Springsteen on Broadway set since the official opening. Born to Run (guitar). It was a highlight of an evening filled with pure joy. The Promised Land (guitar) Already Bruce was playing like we were two songs deep into the encore. 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