Back in Belfast for the first time since 2013 on Thursday night (9th May 2024), Bruce Springsteen proved exactly why he's one of the most revered and respected artists in the world, with an incendiary three-hour show that took in tracks from across his fifty-year career. Together with the incredible seventeen-piece E Street Band, the Boss took to the stage on the hottest day of the year so far, in Boucher Road Playing Fields.
Bruce Springsteen in Belfast, May 2024. Photo: Darren McLoughlin.
Just shy of 40 years ago, Bruce Springsteen played his debut gig on the island of Ireland at Slane on the back of his world-conquering 1984 set 'Born in the USA'. Since then he's performed all over the island, both north and south of the border, playing an incredible 31 gigs before this one - surely a record for an international performer in Ireland. Later this week he'll visit Dublin and Kilkenny, but tonight he was back in Belfast for the first time in over a decade, for a sold out show in the city.
Looking sharp in dark waistcoat and white shirt with sleeves rolled up, workmanlike, the New Jersey native grinned from ear to ear as he took to the stage. The last to arrive as the legendary E Street Band took their bows one by one, he donned his Fender Telecaster and proclaimed; "Belfaaaaaaaaaast It's good to see you!" before the first of his customary "one, two, three, four!" counts, as 'No Surrender' kicked off what was set to be an incredible night of music.
Following with brilliant 9/11 lament 'Lonesome Day' - the first of a number of tracks from later period classic 'The Rising' - before going back to 1978, with 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' deep cut 'Prove it All Night', it was an arresting start. With Springsteen leading from the front and a dazzling amount of top-tier musicians on stage, it was a spectacle in both sight and sound.
Even from this early vantage point, it was clear that although Bruce is certifiably The Boss, this is a group effort, with various E Street members getting their moment front of stage to showboat and solo; from guitarist Nils Lofgren' to sax man Jake Clemmons and guitar slinger Steven Van Zandt.
Looking sharp in dark waistcoat and white shirt with sleeves rolled up, workmanlike, the New Jersey native grinned from ear to ear as he took to the stage. The last to arrive as the legendary E Street Band took their bows one by one, he donned his Fender Telecaster and proclaimed; "Belfaaaaaaaaaast It's good to see you!" before the first of his customary "one, two, three, four!" counts, as 'No Surrender' kicked off what was set to be an incredible night of music.
Following with brilliant 9/11 lament 'Lonesome Day' - the first of a number of tracks from later period classic 'The Rising' - before going back to 1978, with 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' deep cut 'Prove it All Night', it was an arresting start. With Springsteen leading from the front and a dazzling amount of top-tier musicians on stage, it was a spectacle in both sight and sound.
Even from this early vantage point, it was clear that although Bruce is certifiably The Boss, this is a group effort, with various E Street members getting their moment front of stage to showboat and solo; from guitarist Nils Lofgren' to sax man Jake Clemmons and guitar slinger Steven Van Zandt.
L-R: Nils Lofgren, Max Weinberg, Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt. Photo: Darren McLoughlin.
But this is unquestionably The Boss's show, and going walkabout during 'Ghosts', he incites the kind of euphotic reaction that only true stars can, getting up-close with the front rows for the first time in the evening. Although he changes up his set lists frequently, and plays fan requests with alarming ease at the sight of a hand-written sign, Springsteen's interactions with the audience are what make every show special and utterly unique. Later, he'll hand out guitar picks to excited kids on their parents' shoulders, give a harmonica to a bride to be, and even sign a t-shirt from one overawed lady who throws her arms around the singer and plants a kiss on his cheek in return.
It would mean little without the songs however, and with 21 studio albums worth of material, there's plenty to get through. There's the gospel of 'Better Days', the shaky-hand gesturing of 'Spirit in the Night' - the earliest song played tonight, from 1973 debut 'Greetings from Ashbury Park' , and of course the massive hits like 'Hungry Heart', of which the entire first verse is sung solely by the audience.
Although running at three hours, the set is measured, and with Commodores cover 'Night Shift' featuring a stirring co-lead vocal from Curtis King Jr, the tempo and mood is taken down. A moving 'My City of Ruins', which is dedicated to the missing and gone, is followed by a solo acoustic 'Last Man Standing', in remembrance of George Theiss; an old friend whose passing left Springsteen as the only surviving member of early band The Castiles.
It's pensive and deep, but picking back up with a rousing 'Because the Night', and a walloping 'Wrecking Ball', ultimate get back on your feet anthem 'The Rising', ignites the evening once more, before a singalong 'Badlands' and set closing 'Thunder Road'.
All that's left is his traditional extended encore, which features some of his best-known material, from a frenetic 'Born to Run' to a celebratory 'Glory Days' and nostalgia-inducing 'Dancing in the Dark'.
With the E Street Band leaving the stage, Bruce signs off as he has done for the last few tours, with a beautifully tender acoustic solo 'I'll See you in My Dreams'.
Springsteen has had a long love affair with Ireland. With family roots in Kildare and with his mother-in-law's family hailing from Belfast, there's a tangible bond between the singer and the island. Tonight's show reaffirmed that the audience love him as much as he loves being here.
With that debut Slane show celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025, perhaps we can all relive those glory days once again in Co. Meath next year.
Check out our gallery from the show below. All photos by Darren McLoughlin.
It would mean little without the songs however, and with 21 studio albums worth of material, there's plenty to get through. There's the gospel of 'Better Days', the shaky-hand gesturing of 'Spirit in the Night' - the earliest song played tonight, from 1973 debut 'Greetings from Ashbury Park' , and of course the massive hits like 'Hungry Heart', of which the entire first verse is sung solely by the audience.
Although running at three hours, the set is measured, and with Commodores cover 'Night Shift' featuring a stirring co-lead vocal from Curtis King Jr, the tempo and mood is taken down. A moving 'My City of Ruins', which is dedicated to the missing and gone, is followed by a solo acoustic 'Last Man Standing', in remembrance of George Theiss; an old friend whose passing left Springsteen as the only surviving member of early band The Castiles.
It's pensive and deep, but picking back up with a rousing 'Because the Night', and a walloping 'Wrecking Ball', ultimate get back on your feet anthem 'The Rising', ignites the evening once more, before a singalong 'Badlands' and set closing 'Thunder Road'.
All that's left is his traditional extended encore, which features some of his best-known material, from a frenetic 'Born to Run' to a celebratory 'Glory Days' and nostalgia-inducing 'Dancing in the Dark'.
With the E Street Band leaving the stage, Bruce signs off as he has done for the last few tours, with a beautifully tender acoustic solo 'I'll See you in My Dreams'.
Springsteen has had a long love affair with Ireland. With family roots in Kildare and with his mother-in-law's family hailing from Belfast, there's a tangible bond between the singer and the island. Tonight's show reaffirmed that the audience love him as much as he loves being here.
With that debut Slane show celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025, perhaps we can all relive those glory days once again in Co. Meath next year.
Check out our gallery from the show below. All photos by Darren McLoughlin.
