Shake it up baby

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Barcelona; July 20th 2008

The next morning I had some breakfast and went to the stadium by noon with the others to check if we would get wristbands for the pit. The previous day they had been distributed at 2:30 p.m., but it took 2.5 hours until they were done. We had numbers of 1100 and higher so we decided we might as well grab some lunch. We found a nice place, sat down and ordered. While we were eating we received word from friends who were still in line that distribution of wristbands ad started. They were number 700+ so we figured no need to worry until they had theirs. Well, aparently they were quick: Half an hour later one of us received a text message from his buddy (number 1800) that he had already gotten a wristband. I have never seen 8 people finish eating and paying as fast as we did. Back to the stadium in a run we went and finally had our wristbands. *deep breath*

Then back to the hotel to get some sleep, due to meet again at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby of the hotel (where most of us stayed)

Play to make me forget what I don’t want to remember, play for joy, sing as if your life depends on it and don’t look back, only forward

The second night show was for us, the tramps, the diehards, the pit dwellers – all those that tour with Bruce and see multiple shows.

He brought back some songs from earlier on the tour and dug up some rarely played gems as well. He did not take all that many requests, but played the more unusual songs, the ones that we were dieing to hear. There were few slow songs that night and much dancing. It almost seemed as if he did not want to give us time to get all sentimental and sad.

Many great songs, few chances to calm down, think, cry. The good thing about being in the back of the pit is much room to move, to jump to dance. I don’t think I have ever danced that much at any show.

Great, ripping, rocking version of ‘Prove it all night’, a wonderful ‘Youngstown’ with another stunning solo by Nils, some great spotlight moments for Clarence too. ‘Tougher than the Rest’ was sweet and ‘This hard Land’ brought back some great memories of earlier shows. ‘Thunder Road’ finally got me. I choked, but my eyes were too dry to actually cry. Yet I was so happy to hear that song again, sing “our” lines again, the ones Bruce has given to us fans to sing so long ago and never managed to take back.

The best request of the night was ‘I’m going down’. Not a great song per se, but a blinking red marquee sign is priceless and the song had not been played this tour before. Great version too, fun! The mixture of songs was just right for the audience and for the stadium. When I looked around everyone was up on their feet and dancing.

The single best moment of the night was my friend R. (screenname: rosalita77) being lifted up by her friends and dancing on their shoulders during ‘Rosalita’ with everyone around her watching. Great, great moment in the spotlight.

Runner up was Evan Springsteen, playing guitar with his dad and Bruce beaming with pride. At first, Evan was not sure whether to be embarrassed or enjoy but in the end the enjoyment won over. He did a good job too.

The very end was still a bit sentimental and by the way they said goodbye, hugging and kissing each other and leaving Clarence on stage till last made us all believe that this may indeed have been the last tour with the E Street Band. I sure hope it ain’t so.

After the show we hung out forever, not wanting to go. We took one last picture of our tour family before we took a night bus home

Monday morning we had to check out at 11 and went for a last breakfast before my friends left for the airport.
I went to the beach and started crying as soon as I felt the water lapping at my feet. All the emotions that would not come the previous night, suddenly overwhelmed me. Over and out, my tour family had left and I was about to do the same. I was alone with my tears and my fears. Staring at the ocean, wondering what the future may bring.

Made it back home at 1:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, tired but extremely happy. My batteries recharged, my heart and soul filled with new memories to cherish.

Setlist

Tenth Ave Freeze-out
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
Prove It All Night
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Spirit in the Night
Light of Day
Working on the Highway
Tougher Than the Rest
This Hard Land
Youngstown
Murder Inc.
The Promised Land
Living in the Future
I’m Going Down
Mary’s Place
The Rising
Last To Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands

Encores:
Thunder Road
Detroit Medley
Born to Run
Rosalita (Come out Tonight)
Bobby Jean
American Land

Twist and Shout

read  part 1

It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Barcelona; July 19th 2008

In the afternoon of July 18th I set off for a Bruce weekend in Barcelona. Landed around 3:30 p.m., was in the city and at my hotel by 5 p.m.. Unpacked, did some grocery shopping, relaxed a bit, grabbed a bite to eat and set out to do a little Bruce stalking. I don’t do the “standing outside the hotel thing like an idiot” every tour or every city I go to and I have not done it in a while. So I went to the hotel where I heard Bruce was staying, sat down on a bench, watched an waited. Big mistake. Two hours later I was still there. Saw Clarence, Garry, Soozie and Steve arrive, but there were far too many people already.

Luckily one of my tour friends dropped by and I was easily convinced to go to the beach with her and some others. It was a mild evening with a beautiful full moon over the water. We took off our shoes and let the waves lap at our feet. It all felt very peaceful. After that back to the hotel and finally a good night’s sleep.

Met more friends, at my hotel the next morning, went out for breakfast, then to the stadium to pick up my tickets. Got the GA for Sunday from other friends but could not pick up my seat for the same night at the box office yet. They stood in the GA line and it was hot. Also the had arrived at 9:00 am and were numbers 608 and 609 in line – so much for staying overnight to get a good spot at the next show. That crazy plan died right then and there. I left, and did some sightseeing.

Sometimes it all comes full circle. everything feels as it should be, everything falls into place…

Back at the stadium at 3:30 p.m. to get my ticket for that day. Met C. and her friend R., hung out with them for the rest of the day. Back to the stadium in the evening, arrived at 8:30 p.m., meeting more people, chatting, relaxing, hanging out. Went in after 9, had enough time for the toilet and a drink before getting to my seat. And what a great seat it was – right side of the stage, about as close as it gets. Next to me an Italian family where the son was first to be fan and had now come there with his sister, brother in law and mother to see the show. I unpacked my “Brilliant Disguise” request banner and got ready. The show was supposed to start at 10:00 p.m.. Finally at 10:20 it did.

Knowing the Catalan crowd to be wild and loud, I set out for a night of dancing, party and fun. What I got was a roller-coaster ride along the lanes of my personal Bruce history. I expected him to do great and he delivered.

It was a very relaxed experience to have a seat. I had a wonderful view of the crowd. The stadium was packed, the audience on the floor was going crazy even before the show started. Bruce did not have to work them at all.

He started with a rocking ‘No Surrender’ into ‘Radio Nowhere’. I was up on my feet with the first notes and did not sit down again for a long time. I was in for a party. What I had not counted on where the emotions overwhelming me during the show.

Sometimes, when I’m not on tour and not listening to his music, I tend to forget the magic Bruce has to offer and what he is able to do to me. In seconds he held me in the palm of his hand. With him, no matter where I sit or stand I enjoy the show. There are not many people, maybe even no-one else I can say that about.

I had brought my “Brilliant Disguise” banner because in the 45 previous shows I have not once heard the song that got me into Bruce in the first place. That night my wish was granted. I don’t care that he didn’t even see my banner and the song was on the setlist anyway. That night, he played it just for me. With the first notes the Italians beamed at me saying “your song” and I could only smile and say “Finally, after 21 years”. I was overwhelmed and on the verge of tears. Back when I first heard it, I had no idea what the song is about, but now I understand all too well…
And what a beautiful version it was. It also included a sweet moment of Patti snuggling up to Bruce and Bruce actually kissing her on stage. It was just a peck, but I have never seen him do that before.

‘The River’ was next. I choked up unexpectedly and the tears started flowing. The song has always had a special place in my heart and that night it got to me. I cried a few more times, but these two moments alone made my night. Everything else was just added bonus.

‘Because the Night’ was stunning with the best Nils solo I have ever heard. ‘Janey don’t you loose Heart’ was fun and ‘Tunnel of Love’ another gem I had long waited for. ‘Backstreets’ and ‘Jungleland’ were both exceptional versions and even ‘Hungry Heart’ and ‘Bobby Jean’ could not kill my joy.

I got to hear ‘Summertime Blues’ and found myself enjoying a rather good version of ‘Glory Days’. ‘Twist and Shout’ had me dancing – what a great way to end the night.
Bruce’s family was on stage too (minus Sam) so I got to view some nice family moments as well.

Bruce was enjoying himself and had as much fun as the audience. He was cute about giving his harmonica to a woman who almost shoved the sign requesting it in his face. He also scared the hell out of the cameraman when he stopped the knee slide just a little too late and got up, laughing about it.

Overall it was a night tended to the casual fan. Greatest hits, fun and party. Still, it was very personal and very emotional for me. Surely a night to remember.

After the show we had another Tour family meeting. My friend A. from Italy showed up for a few minutes but claimed he was too tired and wanted to get back to his hotel. Even C.’s friend R. was still there. He is not a fan but all our talk had made him curious and he spontaneously had bought a ticket. Loved the show too. We hung out, chatted, rated the show, went for a drink and the night ended with M. doing a perfect knee slide at the subway station at 3:30 a.m.. Made it back to the hotel by 4 – too hyped to sleep.

Setlist

No Surrender
Radio Nowhere
Out in the Street
The Promised Land
Hungry Heart
Summertime Blues
Brilliant Disguise
The River
Atlantic City
Candy’s Room
Janey Don’t You Lose Heart
Waiting on a Sunny Day
Backstreets
Because the Night
Living in the Future
Mary’s Place
Tunnel of Love
The Rising
Last To Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands

Encores:
Jungleland
Born to Run
Bobby Jean
Glory Days
Dancing in the Dark
American Land
Twist and Shout

on to day 2