Springsteen

[ericm]

Madison Square F***ing Garden!!

Joint was jumping.    WOW. Not an empty seat to be seen, and it was rocking to the rafters all night. So cool to look up at several points to see the people way up top behind stage just rocking the hell out. 8)

Bruce, and the band were on fire last night, and you could tell they LOVE playing the big building, in this GREAT city. The give, and take between Bruce, and the crowd was something to see. Every Bruce show at The Garden is special in their own way, but there was just something extra about last night. The album shows last tour were classic, but last night was more like a celebration, a revival, almost like the Reunion shows. They came out roaring, and never let up.

Even though the setlist was pretty standard,imo, (there were some nice gems dropped in) it didn't seem like a standard show. From the start you could tell it was going to be a special show. I don't know if it was because it was a Friday with most people having off today, and really letting loose,but from the first note of the night, Bruce, the band, and the crowd were just smokin'.

Here's the setlist with a mini review of some of my personal faves:

A bit of a spoiler here.....


For the 1st time on the tour we got a different opener. No self-intro either. It was really cool actually. House lights still up, Garden pretty full,and blasting out of the speakers comes Jersey boy, ole Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra ...."Start Spreading The News!"
The band enters with the whole Garden singing along to "New York, New York". 8) Bruce hits the stage, 1,2,3,4...Badlands with the house lit, Born To Run style! I loved it. Hope he keeps opening like that, and rotates some of his great openers in that spot.   


I liked getting Out In The Streets early in the set as it really kept the joint jumping.

The 5-pack of Murder Inc - Lions Den was a highlight of the night for me. Murder was smoking, and good to see all three guys trading guitar leads, especially Steve getting to show his stuff at the end. Loved the newly worked Johnny99, and finally got to hear one of my faves off the new one in Shackled and Drawn. So friggin good! He needs to KEEP that one in. Then, through all the years, and all the shows, Bruce goes and plays a song I've never seen live in Lions Den!  :o It was short, sweet, and fun, but made my night, and was worth the price of admission alone for me.

An incredible Thunder Road to close the set. One of the greatest songs ever,imo, and it was a goose -bump version, complete with possibly the LOUDESTand LONGEST sing-a-long ever.

Kitty's Back!! Again, and I'll take her at every show. A little shorter than in Philly, but just as amazing. I'll take a full band, 12:00 - 14:00 minute jam anytime.

We got to see mama Springsteen dance with Bruce again during Dancing In The Dark, and the the perfect closer in 10th. Tears will flow for the fans who loved the Big Man. GREAT tribute here, and I won't spoil it, but much better than the way they did it earlier,imo.

I am so pumped for Monday. Can't wait, and the only regret I have is a selfish one, in that I wish it was a 4-6 show run. ;)

20:27 Intro

1. Badlands
2. We Take Care of Our Own
3. Wrecking Ball
4. Out in the Street
5. Death to My Hometown
6. My City of Ruins
7. MURDER INCORPERATED
8. Johnny 99
9. Jack of All Trades
10. Shackled and Drawn
11. LIONS DEN!!!!!
12. Easy Money
13. Waiting on a Sunny Day
14. Promised Land
15. Apollo Medley
16. American Skin (41 Shots)
17. Lonesome Day
18. The Rising
19. We Are Alive
20. Thunder Road
*******
21. Rocky Ground
22. Kitty's Back
23. Born To Run
24. Dancing in the Dark
25. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out

Show Over: 23:20

Here's a clip to get the juices flowing.

Murder Incorperated:

Murder Inc. - Springsteen - MSG April 6, 2012

[headhunter]

Great review Eric!  Glad you had a blast.  Can't wait to share some Bruce juice with you on Monday.

[ericm]

Great review Eric!  Glad you had a blast.  Can't wait to share some Bruce juice with you on Monday.

Thanks Jeff.

Monday can't get here soon enough for me!

I'm going on record right now, and saying Monday will be off the charts. I'm thinking more of a varied set, with some nice wild cards thrown in. 
I'm glad I scheduled a late start for work Tuesday. I don't think I'd have been worth much if I had to work this morning. ;)

I'm predicting we get an "Incident On 57th St" or "NYC Serenede" (leaning towards Incident)

[ericm]

A pretty rare performance of "Lion's Den":

Anyone there who didn't get up, and dance for this, needs to get their soul  checked .   ;D

Bruce Springsteen - Lion's Den (Tour Debut) 04/06/12 Madison Square Garden, NYC [HD]

[headhunter]

I'm thinking it will be a special one too and now would be a perfect time for Incident (although nyc serenade would be sweet as well).

Not expecting Jungleland but if we are ever gonna get  one, this would be the night.  (how about a little meeting across the river thrown in for good measure?)

[ericm]

I'm thinking it will be a special one too and now would be a perfect time for Incident (although nyc serenade would be sweet as well).

Not expecting Jungleland but if we are ever gonna get  one, this would be the night.  (how about a little meeting across the river thrown in for good measure?)

I like the way you think there my friend! 

[ericm]

A little something for the Roll Callers going to Monday's show at MSG to get you even more psyched. This should help get you through tomorrow's workday! ;)

Friday night's opener:

Badlands - Bruce Springsteen MSG 4/6/2012

[Tracy 2112]

Madison Square F***ing Garden!!

Joint was jumping.    WOW. Not an empty seat to be seen, and it was rocking to the rafters all night. So cool to look up at several points to see the people way up top behind stage just rocking the hell out. 8)

Bruce, and the band were on fire last night, and you could tell they LOVE playing the big building, in this GREAT city. The give, and take between Bruce, and the crowd was something to see. Every Bruce show at The Garden is special in their own way, but there was just something extra about last night. The album shows last tour were classic, but last night was more like a celebration, a revival, almost like the Reunion shows. They came out roaring, and never let up.

Even though the setlist was pretty standard,imo, (there were some nice gems dropped in) it didn't seem like a standard show. From the start you could tell it was going to be a special show. I don't know if it was because it was a Friday with most people having off today, and really letting loose,but from the first note of the night, Bruce, the band, and the crowd were just smokin'.

Here's the setlist with a mini review of some of my personal faves:

A bit of a spoiler here.....


For the 1st time on the tour we got a different opener. No self-intro either. It was really cool actually. House lights still up, Garden pretty full,and blasting out of the speakers comes Jersey boy, ole Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra ...."Start Spreading The News!"
The band enters with the whole Garden singing along to "New York, New York". 8) Bruce hits the stage, 1,2,3,4...Badlands with the house lit, Born To Run style! I loved it. Hope he keeps opening like that, and rotates some of his great openers in that spot.   


I liked getting Out In The Streets early in the set as it really kept the joint jumping.

The 5-pack of Murder Inc - Lions Den was a highlight of the night for me. Murder was smoking, and good to see all three guys trading guitar leads, especially Steve getting to show his stuff at the end. Loved the newly worked Johnny99, and finally got to hear one of my faves off the new one in Shackled and Drawn. So friggin good! He needs to KEEP that one in. Then, through all the years, and all the shows, Bruce goes and plays a song I've never seen live in Lions Den!  :o It was short, sweet, and fun, but made my night, and was worth the price of admission alone for me.

An incredible Thunder Road to close the set. One of the greatest songs ever,imo, and it was a goose -bump version, complete with possibly the LOUDESTand LONGEST sing-a-long ever.

Kitty's Back!! Again, and I'll take her at every show. A little shorter than in Philly, but just as amazing. I'll take a full band, 12:00 - 14:00 minute jam anytime.

We got to see mama Springsteen dance with Bruce again during Dancing In The Dark, and the the perfect closer in 10th. Tears will flow for the fans who loved the Big Man. GREAT tribute here, and I won't spoil it, but much better than the way they did it earlier,imo.

I am so pumped for Monday. Can't wait, and the only regret I have is a selfish one, in that I wish it was a 4-6 show run. ;)

20:27 Intro

1. Badlands
2. We Take Care of Our Own
3. Wrecking Ball
4. Out in the Street
5. Death to My Hometown
6. My City of Ruins
7. MURDER INCORPERATED
8. Johnny 99
9. Jack of All Trades
10. Shackled and Drawn
11. LIONS DEN!!!!!
12. Easy Money
13. Waiting on a Sunny Day
14. Promised Land
15. Apollo Medley
16. American Skin (41 Shots)
17. Lonesome Day
18. The Rising
19. We Are Alive
20. Thunder Road
*******
21. Rocky Ground
22. Kitty's Back
23. Born To Run
24. Dancing in the Dark
25. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out

Show Over: 23:20

Here's a clip to get the juices flowing.

Murder Incorperated:

Murder Inc. - Springsteen - MSG April 6, 2012

Thank you for this!  :)

[ericm]

You got it Tracy.

Been trying to post in other threads, but like MMJ, when Bruce is touring I've got The FEVER! ;) Seems like 99% of my posts end up in this thread. ;D

Even after all these years I still get a big thrill going to a Bruce show, and glad to see some here get a kick out of hearing about it too. 

[headhunter]

Eric - less than 24 hours until we share a drink at Stout gearing up for Bruce.

Something (in the night) tells me that tomorrow is gonna be quite the party!

[ericm]

Eric - less than 24 hours until we share a drink at Stout gearing up for Bruce.

Something (in the night) tells me that tomorrow is gonna be quite the party!

Looking forward to it Jeff.

We definitely won't have to look too hard "for a moment when the world seems right".

Fingers crossed for another fantastic, joint jumpin', pedal to the metal opener. I'm going with "Prove It".  8)

[headhunter]

Eric, this will be the first show I see with you that it will be ok if we don't catch Steam Engine.
;)

[ericm]

Eric, this will be the first show I see with you that it will be ok if we don't catch Steam Engine.
;)

Haha!  ;D

Heading out now. See you and Christine in a bit.

It's gonna be epic! 

[headhunter]

A magical night at MSG with the Boss.

As good as any Bruce show I've seen in 20 years.  Great to hang w you Eric at a Bruce show (finally!) and Penny Lane can rock out even when she's not on the rail.
This was a special night.  "I know your momma she don't like me cause I play in a rock n roll band".

Setlist:
Badlands
We Take Care of Our Own
Wrecking Ball
Out in the Street
Death to My Hometown
My City of Ruins
Spirit in the Night
Thundercrack
Jack of All Trades
Trapped
She's the One
Easy Money
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land
Apollo Medley
Because the Night
The Rising
We Are Alive
Backstreets
Land of Hope and Dreams
* * *
Rocky Ground (with Michelle Moore)
Rosalita
Born to Run
Dancing in the Dark
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out

[ericm]

A magical night at MSG with the Boss.

As good as any Bruce show I've seen in 20 years.  Great to hang w you Eric at a Bruce show (finally!) and Penny Lane can rock out even when she's not on the rail.
This was a special night.  "I know your momma she don't like me cause I play in a rock n roll band".

Totally agree, Jeff. 

Finally is right! We've been to so many of the same Bruce shows that it was great to Rock one together.    Hopefully this will be the first of many.

Very cool that we got to rock out with Penny at her 1st Bruce show!  8) The woman rocks for sure, rail or not.  I had a blast sharing the show with you two, and good to meet your other friends as well. So many cool people, and a great Bruce show at MSG to top it off.

Good that Tired Eyes scored a ticket, and we definitely had a nice little Roll Call presence at the show.  :)

Still letting the whole show sink in, and not up to a review right now. Too many highlights to list. There were so many "holy shit" moments that it's hard to pick the best. Next to hanging with you guys,  this one is right up there for me:

Backstreets:

Bruce Springsteen - Backstreets Live 04/09/12 Madison Square Garden, NYC Complete

[MrWhippy]

East coast dates announced for second leg of the tour.  Springsteen peeps, what's your game plan.  I'm thinking about Philly, DC, and maybe the last night of E. Rutherford. 

Eric, Jeff, maybe we will overlap at one of these.

[e_wind]

Not thrilled with the dates, hoping he does some southern or Midwest dates. Chicago is the closest right now

[Penny Lane]

Sorry I haven't posted before but I've been sick and out of town for work.

Had a great time with Headhunter and eric at my first Springsteen show! Couldn't believe this 62 year old man was crowd surfing and chugging beers and played for 3 hours (no encore break). It was a very heartfelt show--loved to hear Spirit in the Night and Rosalita, but EXTREMELY pumped that I got to hear what has become my new favorite Sprinsteen song, ThunderCrack. HH and eric knew all the words to every song and every detail about every album, along with their friends at the meetup. They made BH look normal for god's sakes. It was a whole other kind of music nerd-dom that I soaked up and loved. Tired Eyes knew everything as well and sat a few rows behind us.

I'm not a fan of arena shows but for this, I'm glad I shelled out and got to experience this. Thanks to HH, eric and Tired Eyes for being my Springsteen guides.

[ericm]

Sorry I haven't posted before but I've been sick and out of town for work.

Had a great time with Headhunter and eric at my first Springsteen show! Couldn't believe this 62 year old man was crowd surfing and chugging beers and played for 3 hours (no encore break). It was a very heartfelt show--loved to hear Spirit in the Night and Rosalita, but EXTREMELY pumped that I got to hear what has become my new favorite Sprinsteen song, ThunderCrack. HH and eric knew all the words to every song and every detail about every album, along with their friends at the meetup. They made BH look normal for god's sakes. It was a whole other kind of music nerd-dom that I soaked up and loved. Tired Eyes knew everything as well and sat a few rows behind us.

I'm not a fan of arena shows but for this, I'm glad I shelled out and got to experience this. Thanks to HH, eric and Tired Eyes for being my Springsteen guides.

;D

It was my pleasure to share your first Bruce show with you. I had a blast before, and during the show. So glad you got Thundercrack, and got to see me semi-lose my shit for Backstreets.  ;) That song has always held a special place in my heart, and is probably my favorite Bruce tune.  It's hard to pick just one, but if I had to Backstreets would be it.

We did get treated to a real nice setlist....something for everybody. Real happy that you got to see some classics too. 

I like the music nerd-dom term. It definitely fits HH, and I when it comes to Bruce.  :) Not hard to fall into that when we've been seeing him for 30+ years. Even now, we still get just as big a kick out of going to a show, and I think after Monday, you can see why.

Three + hours of non-stop rocking, beer chugging, crowd surfing, knee- sliding, piano climbing, dancing, FUN!  8)

[ericm]

Not thrilled with the dates, hoping he does some southern or Midwest dates. Chicago is the closest right now

Patience my friend.

This is a typical 2nd leg announcement for Bruce. They announce some stadiums well in advance, in order to sell as many tix as possible, and also cap off the European Leg that is all stadiums. They're in the stadium mode, so they always do some here after Europe. Then when these stadiums have sold, some fall arena dates will be announced. The tour will probably go on til late October-mid-November.

I'm not a fan of stadium shows, but will most likely go to Philly, and one of the Jersey shows. I'm waiting for the fall arenas to really put a dent in my wallet. ;) ( I've heard talk of one your way,Indy, Cinci, or possibly even Yum)