Bruce Springsteen’s curfew-defying set bends Wembley stadium to his will – review
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"Do you feel the energy?" Bruce Springsteen belting out with passionate enthusiasm like a preacher as "Spirit in the Night" embarks on its lively Saturday night adventure with G-man, Killer Joe, and the alluring Crazy Janey. It's a gritty rock tune from Springsteen's first album released in 1973, Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ. Even after more than 50 years, the spirit is still shining brightly in the hands of the 74-year-old legend known for his anthems of the working class.
He might have released cover albums, like The Seeger Sessions in 2006 and Only the Strong Survive in 2022, as well as a reflective record called Letter to You in 2020. He could have written his autobiography, performed on Broadway, and sold his music catalog for a lot of money. He may have had to cancel shows on his world tour due to health issues, but now, Bruce Springsteen is rocking out at Wembley Stadium without showing any signs of slowing down. Despite his years in the music industry, Springsteen still puts on a high-energy, three-hour show that rival his performances from decades ago. He's embracing his role as a rock legend, showing no signs of letting up on his passion for music. With artists like Iggy and Mick still rocking out as well, they might be known as the grandfathers of rock 'n roll in the near future.
"Hey, ho, listen up," Springsteen growls, as the E Street Band launches into "Lonesome Day" from the album The Rising released in 2002. This song showcases both the richness and brilliance of his music in the 21st century, as well as how he continuously refreshes and energizes his iconic setlist to gracefully move away from any past eras. The fact that songs like "Wrecking Ball" and "The Rising" are now fan favorites allows him to leave out hits like "Born in the USA" and "The River" tonight without worrying about fans asking for their money back.
In the beginning of the concert, only two songs could be considered classic Springsteen hits: "No Surrender" and "Hungry Heart." However, even the songs that are not as well-known are still impressive. For example, "Seeds," a track that was not included on the 1984 Born in the USA album, is performed with maximum energy, with Springsteen playing a guitar solo that feels as strong as cast iron. The 2020 single "Ghosts" may be a tribute to past rock legends like Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici, but it is built on a catchy, rolling melody. Even the simpler Nebraska tracks, like "Atlantic City" and "Reason to Believe," are transformed into powerful rock songs, with the latter now sounding somewhat similar to Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky."
When Springsteen praises his 18-member backing band as "the amazing, exciting, energetic, fun-loving, soulful, powerful, adventurous, fearless, legendary E Street Band!", he is not giving them enough credit. While other bands may have the same talent and connection, none can match their combined strength and joyful spirit. In the song "Youngstown", a Celtic blues tune from The Ghost of Tom Joad that tells the story of a steel town in Ohio - just one of many songs from later in his career that have earned Springsteen comparisons to Dylan as a storyteller of the American experience - guitarist Nils Lofgren delivers a solo that seems to come straight from a crossroads. A stripped down version of "Racing in the Street" transforms into a dazzling piano solo from Roy Bittan, and saxophonist Jake Clemons brings chills of excitement during "Thunder Road" just like his famous uncle once did. Springsteen himself is like the eye of a hurricane, powerful yet approachable. During the uplifting gospel sound of "The Promised Land", he notices a couple in the crowd holding a sign offering a marriage proposal in exchange for his harmonica. He invites them to the front of the stage and hands over his instrument like a gift of good luck. There isn't a single dry sweatband from the ironic 80s in the entire venue.
This also happens when signs of Springsteen's old age become apparent. In "Letter to You," he shares wisdom and reflects on his experiences. In "Last Man Standing," he performs with strength and vulnerability, sharing a story about being the sole surviving member of his first band The Castiles after the death of his bandmate George Theiss in 2018.
"As you age, you start to understand the reality of death," he explains. "Grieving is the consequence of loving deeply." Next up is "Backstreets," a powerful song from Born to Run that includes a new spoken-word part that may describe the memories Springsteen has of Theiss: a box of old 45s, a jacket, a Silvertone guitar, a photo from their wedding day. "These are the tangible memories I have," he gestures to his chest, "and the rest of you will always be with me, until the end."
Springsteen concerts and endings never seem to get along. After three hours of energetic performances and surprises - like turning Wembley Stadium into a giant dance party with a cover of the Commodores' "Night Shift" - the show just won't stop. After playing hits like "Badlands", "Bobby Jean", "Dancing in the Dark" and "Born to Run" with all the lights on, the E Street Band's classic song "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" blends into a lively rendition of "Twist and Shout" where everyone, band and audience alike, agrees to ignore the time limit and anyone who tries to enforce it. To close the show, Springsteen returns with an acoustic guitar to softly sing "death is not the end" on the touching song "I'll See You in My Dreams". Based on this performance, it seems like when his time comes, he will surely convince even the Grim Reaper to take a break for one more song, jamming along on his scythe.
