The Spin: Bruce Springsteen at The Sommet Center
Photo by F.S. Upton
We've seen the undying spirit of rock 'n' roll and his name is Bruce Springsteen. Many people forget that the legend of Springsteen was originally built up by incredible press hype. Rolling Stone critic Jon Landau left behind his journalistic pursuits to become his manager. Dave Marsh made a career out of being the man's biographer, and the 1975 release of Born to Run coincided with his appearing on the covers of both Time and Newsweek simultaneously. So what is there to say about Bruce Springsteen that hasn't already been said? That it's all true. At the Sommet Center we watched in amazement as the 58-year-old proved all night why he is not just a rock star but a national treasure. The crowd had a fair amount of young Springsteen virgins, but it was obvious that the dominant attendees were the faithful veterans. For the rest of us this is part of the show, witnessing the cult. These are the weathered faces of the characters found his tales of faith, struggle, hope, and hopelessness. Mary was there, Terry was there; Frankie, Wendy and his buddy at Khe Sahn too.
As the opening power chord of The River's “Out in the Street” kicked in, these faces came to life, and it became immediately apparent why Springsteen's music has endured through four generations: People are still living these stories. They rely on the Boss to transcend the American experience of being marginalized by the human cost of living, from a mundane void, to something of triumphant romantic grandeur. The intrinsic dialogue that exists between Springsteen and his audience is indescribable. As a performer the man is a force of nature, displaying boundless energy, spitting water five feet into the, air, bending backwards off his mic stand, and even doing knee slides across the front of the stage. It really must be seen to be believed. No hyperbole will do justice to the obvious dedication he has to making the $100 price of admission worth it.
Through 27 songs over three hours he and his E Street lieutenants, legends in their own right, balanced catalog staples like “Badlands,” “Thunder Road,” “The Promised Land,” “Born To Run” and “Dancing in the Dark.” Rarities such as “Loose Ends” and “Held Up Without a Gun.” Classic covers like “Good Rockin' Tonight” and “I Fought the Law” (played in honor of Joe Strummer's birthday). With more recent cuts from The Rising and Magic. All with incredible continuity. The up-tempo party rockers providing the perfect release for the tension of more pensive numbers like “I'm on Fire” or “Youngstown.”
Most of the night's deeper cuts came courtesy of request signs that Springsteen collects from the audience mid-show. We even brought signs of our own requesting “Streets of Fire” and “Jungleland,” and while neither song got play, it was an honor just to have him grab them out of our hands for consideration. Spontaneity is the name of the game as he is known to abandon his planned setlist, keeping the band on their toes. And what he demands of them, they deliver with a grace that can only betoken that they are believers too. We left the show in euphoric exhaustion, imagining Springsteen leaving on a stretcher, with the reassurance that it “ain't no sin to be glad we're alive.”
Comments
Well put. It was an incredible show.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 01:57:42 PMI liked the part where they were awesome.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 02:25:20 PMMatt, that's so prototypical of you.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 02:28:22 PMI went lastnight and was blown away with one of the best concerts I have ever attended!
Posted 08/22/2008 at 03:14:02 PMI knew I should have gone...
Posted 08/22/2008 at 03:30:22 PMGreat review. I honestly think it was the best show I've attended.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 03:39:52 PM...so who was that guy who got up towards the end that looked like Jack White? I'm pretty sure it was NOT Jack White.
Nice review. It was truly a kickass night for rock. And nobody was having more fun than Bruce himself.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 04:04:25 PMA beyond fantastic show. Good call on "Streets of Fire." I wasn't on the floor, but was thinking of which tune I would have requested. That would have been it.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 04:12:09 PMDave Bielanko of Marah.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 04:14:35 PMThe Jack White sort-of-look-alike was Dave Bielanko from Marah.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 04:18:01 PMIt's been hard for me to describe last night without dropping the f-bomb about three times per sentence. Not just one of the best concerts I've ever seen (top 3 definitely), but one of the absolute coolest experiences of my life. The hair stands up on the back of my neck just thinking about it.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 04:36:36 PMDoes any one have the complete set list of songs from last night. I was there last night and in 1981, The River Tour. I believe last night's show was the only concert I've seen that was better than the 1981. If you could post the set that would be great.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 04:39:43 PMFrom backstreets.com
August 21 / Nashville, TN / Sommet Center
Notes: to come
Setlist:
Posted 08/22/2008 at 04:48:17 PMOut in the Street
Radio Nowhere
No Surrender
Lonesome Day
Spirit in the Night
Good Rockin' Tonight
Growin' Up
I'm Goin' Down
Held Up Without a Gun
Loose Ends
Youngstown
Murder Inc.
Mona/She's the One
The Promised Land
Mary's Place
I Walk the Line/I'm on Fire
The Rising
Last to Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
* * *
Girls in Their Summer Clothes
Thunder Road
Born to Run
I Fought the Law
Rosalita
American Land
Dancing in the Dark
damn it.
i left before dancin in the dark.
todd and i were extremely disappointed by the sound. did anyone else think it was too boomy? the show was great dont get me wrong but.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 06:01:46 PMi know i know, what do you expect from an arena show.
and
youre right
youre right
i just prefer smaller shows in general. i did think it was amazing an amazing rock show indeed
and i loved the anthemic use of the synth.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 06:06:21 PMthe show was great. it really was.
I also thought the sound was terrible, not at any fault of the band. That place has worse sound than most arenas. It would be a dream come true if he would do a a few nights in a row at the Ryman. If you're listening, Bruce......please!
Posted 08/22/2008 at 06:36:02 PMI last saw Bruce play almost 30 years ago in Springfield MA after the band just released Darkness on the Edge of Town. Last night's spectacular performance reminded me of the show from many years ago because he played many of the same songs from back then with even more engergy and enthusiam. Bruce's non-stop energy has not changed one bit and the crowd was entertained the entire evening. The only negative was the sound quality at the Sommet Ctr was a little muddy and I thought it should have been better, especially because I was down on the main floor. Overall, it was still a fantastic show and Bruce and the E Street Band remain undoubtedly the best rock and roll band of all time.
Posted 08/22/2008 at 10:21:04 PMYes, the sound was a bit boomy at times but it certainly didn't spoil an amazing evening. It was about my 50th Bruce show and my son's 1st and we both left in awe. Bruce plays every show like it was his last. He is so honest and genuine you can't help but want him to be your best friend. As a friend once told me - there's no better way to spend three hours of your life than at a Bruce show. Bless you Bruce - may we continue to grow old together and see each other every once in a while!
Posted 08/23/2008 at 06:51:00 AMJust got back from the St. Louis show tonight. Featuring 15 songs not played at Sommet this show was every bit as epic. The 2 shows combined had 42 different songs. Here is the STL setlist for those who are curious.
1. Then She Kissed Me
2. Radio Nowhere
3. Out in the Street
4. Adam Raised a Cain
5. Spirit in the Night
6. Rendezvous
7. For You
8. Mountain of Love
9. Backstreets
10. Gypsy Biker
11. Because the Night
12. Not Fade Away/She's the One
13. Livin' in the Future
14. Cover Me
15. Mary's Place
16. Drive All Night
17. The Rising
18. Last to Die
19. Long Walk Home
20. Badlands
21. Girls in Their Summer Clothes
Posted 08/24/2008 at 07:11:40 AM22. Jungleland
23. Detroit Medley
24. Born to Run
25. Dancing in the Dark
26. American Land
27. Thunder Road
28. Little Queenie
29. Twist and Shout
Damn, I was really hoping for "Adamn Raised a Cain" in Nashville.
Posted 08/24/2008 at 03:03:54 PMBtw, if you are into the whole bit torrent thing, the entire Nashville show is available for download at dimeadozen.org. It's a good audience recording.
Posted 08/24/2008 at 04:22:53 PM