Set List: Cadillac Ranch / Badlands / Hungry Heart / Working On A Dream / Thunder Road / Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out / Night / Backstreets / Born To Run / She’s The One / Meeting Across The River / Jungleland / Darlington County / Waiting On A Sunny Day / Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town / Loose Ends / Jole Blon / Growin’ Up / Into The Fire / The Rising / No Surrender / Living Proof / Kitty’s Back / American Land / Dancing In The Dark / Rosalita / Higher & Higher
At the end of a three hour performance that included a full performance Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 album, Born To Run, even the harshest of critics would have a difficult time finding fault in last night’s show. Springsteen is no stranger to marathon performances, many will recall his last performance in Milwaukee celebrating Harley-Davidson’s 105th anniversary. Through the course of the night Springsteen crowd surfed, played requests, brought a young kid onstage to sing during Waiting on a Sunny Day, and let everyone know he knew he was in Milwaukee. While those things add to the memories that were created, it was the music and tireless energy that is pumped out night after night by this group that continues to amaze me.
There’s little to be said about Springsteen and the E Street band that hasn’t been said before. This is a band that could be mailing it in night after night, collecting the same amount of money, playing only the hits and dialing in a routine two-hour show. That wouldn’t be Bruce Springsteen though. I heard songs last night that I’d never heard them play before, some whose origin I’m going to have to research. Of course, there are few better live music instances than when you here the familiar sounds of “Born To Run,” Dancing In the Dark,” and “Rosalita.” I don’t have kids or know how long the Springteen express will be in full motion, what I do know is that I’ll be sharing my memories of last night’s show for years to come.
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: ‘Born to Run’ just as fresh as in 1975
Shepherd Express: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band @ The Bradley Center
Milwaukee A.V. Club: Bruce Springsteen at the Bradley Center
77 Square: Springsteen takes Milwaukee crowd higher and higher
OnMilwaukee.com: Springsteen and band deliver unforgettable night
Discuss: What did you think of the show? What were your highlights from the show? Drop a comment with your thoughts/reviews of the show.
Buy: Bruce Springsteen
It was definitely one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Not a dull moment with the E-Street Band. Hearing BTR in its entirety was a definite highlight and hearing cuts from “The Rising” rocked. It’s hard to believe Bruce is still doing these marathon sets. And it’s great that he’s sharing his music with younger generations that seek him out.
Lot of great moments from the show but Bruce covering “Jole Blon” was my favorite. We need to thank whoever requested that one.
One thing that can’t be overstressed is how much damn FUN Springsteen seems to be having onstage night after night. Not just performing the songs, but his energy, making fun of himself (“Good morning Ohio . . . aw, I’m just fuckin’ wit’ ya!”) pulling that girl onstage to dance with Stevie, trying to feel his way through “Living Proof.” Great stuff last night.
Rob – so true. It was FUN. Probably the most fun I’ve had at a show this year. It was definitely neat watching as he remembered “Living Proof.”
Just saw your review and linked it up here as well. Nice work!
We watched Bruce, BRUUUUCE, last night from the far end of the Bradley Center. All around us were standing, dancing, singing, shouting through Thunder Road, 10th Avenue, and Born to Run, but sitting, captivated during Jungleland. Not me. For me, Springsteen bellowing the wordless climax to Jungleland is perhaps the seminal rock ‘n roll moment. He seems to be shouting out the collective teen-to-adult transitional emotion–angst, joy, pain, desire, fear and hope–of all of us.
I stood. And purposely did not watch the giant tv-screen Bruce above the stage at that moment, but stood instead watching the distant, real, postage-stamp Bruce, while that tiny man put goose bumps on my arms and raised the hair on the back of my neck.
How could he do that from so far away? Easy: the same way has been able to thrill anyone here, there or anywhere who simply bothered to listen—his heart has been big enough to let us all in. Even before he knew who we were. And even after we knew who he was.
What a great show! Fun is definately the first word that comes to mind when thinking of that show. I don’t remember any concert I’ve been to from anyone where they seemed to be having so much fun. You knew it was gonna be a great night when he was stage diving during just the third song! I’m not a huge fan, so I didn’t know half of the songs he did, but they were all enjoyable. It all made for a very memorable night.
This was my first time seeing Bruce and I was at the show with a guy seeing him for the 89th time. He said this was easily one of the best performances. Playing rare tunes, full of energy, playing straight through with no encore, and just how spot on the band and Bruce’s singing were. As others have said, this show was just plain fun. I don’t really think I can compare it to anything else I’ve seen live. You almost forgot you were in an arena and were just watching some guys play for a small crowd in a bar. Other times, you knew you were in an arena and felt like you were at the SuperBowl. Totally amazing.
Wasn’t precisely what I was trying to find but started reading the first few lines and it was fascinating so ended up reading the entire post, thanks.