If you read my previous blog 'NYC in 3 Days' (and let's be honest, you probably didn't) you'll be aware (or not, in this case) that the trip to NYC was a birthday present. Actually, going to see Bruce was the birthday present. Going to New York was just an added bonus.
This concert was the holy grail for myself (and perhaps a fair few other Springsteen fans.) It was his final concert in a three night residency at the new MetLife Stadium, it was in his home state of New Jersey, and, coincidentally, it was his birthday the next day (the 23rd). That didn't happen to be a factor until other unexpected factors took place later that evening.
We made our way to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Times Square, which proved to much harder than first thought. The Port Authority happens to be the biggest bus terminal I have ever seen (I'm not sure if it doubles as a train station as well) but it was massive. It took us about 15-30 minutes to try and find the Coach USA ticket window just to be able to buy our tickets to the stadium (which were an absolute steal, $10 return!? Get In!)
Leaving a nice sunny NYC, we headed across the river to a wet, rainy and ever so slightly miserable looking New Jersey. If ever you need a contrast for how amazing New York is, just head across the river. New York felt a million miles away, New Jersey felt like it could be Any Other Place, USA.
Still, it was exciting. We were now in the state that gave us Frank Sinatra, Jason Alexander, Bon Jovi (I know, I know) and, most importantly, Bruce Springsteen.
As MetLife came into view I got a little shiver down my spine. I have weird thing for big buildings, structures etc. I'm always in awe at how a project like that comes together. I just have trouble setting up a decent (or in this case, sub par) blog. Imagine what those guys must go through to get a stadium built!?
Moving on, we got dropped off and started to make our way through the parking lot. This is where I saw my first ever 'tail gate parties'. This is also where I decided that next time I will actually have to attend a tail gate party. What could be better than sitting in a parking lot, drinking, eating and having in depth discussions about the artist you're about to see? Yes, I'm the kinda guy that would sit in a parking lot and drink it seems.
We entered the stadium and straightaway headed to the merchandise booth (as is customary for me at any gig I go to) and purchased two even specific T-shirts. Pricey but you gotta, ya know? We then made our way to one of the many many many food stalls. Loaded up with our burgers, BBQ steak rolls and beers, we made our way down to our seats. Seats that were pretty pretty pretty good.
The seating bowl and upper levels had pretty much filled up. Perplexingly, the GA's had not been allowed in yet. What were they waiting for? Better Days (get it?) Regardless of that, there we waited for Bruce Springsteen, the saviour of rock 'n roll, to grace us with his presence and bring forth the power of the mighty E-Street band. We waited with baited breath.
'EVACUATION ANNOUNCEMENT' Huh? We were being asked to evacuate the seating bowl due to severe weather and lightning in the area. This was a first. We were then moved into the foyers of the stadium to wait for the weather to pass. We waited for two hours. Two hours of doing absolutely nothing. Not even drinking ($8 a beer is excessive, even when in a holiday mindset). We found a nice little hideaway under some stairs where a few others were also waiting. I spent the time playing 'Shoot Bubble' on my phone. It was as exciting as it sounds. After waiting for what seemed like ever the weather never came. We just got a bit of heavy rain but that was it. Better they evacuate us than not and have people struck by lighting. Understandable.
They then let everyone back in to find their seats and get comfortable. At about 22:28 Bruce took the stage. With Springsteen gigs routinely going over the three hour mark, we were pretty much guaranteed a past midnight show. Thank God for no curfews at MetLife ;)
'I think I just invited 55,000 people to my birthday party' and with that they band launched into a very well received 'Out In The Streets'. The set list would prove to be quite varied throughout the evening. Playing eleven songs that I've not heard live before, including a song I thought I'd never EVER get to hear live...it also happens to be one of my favourites. But we'll get to that one later...
A varied first 1/4 offered up a few songs that I wasn't overly familiar with or didn't care much for. Songs such as Cynthia (didn't know it, I know it now though), Who'll Stop The Rain, Cover Me and Downbound Train (familiar with them all but never cared much for them.) This, though, is the beauty of seeing someone live singing songs you've not heard of or cared for. It somehow, almost magically, makes the songs resonate with you and gives you an appreciation you never had for them.So is the case for these songs, especially Downbound Train.
We then started to hit the Wrecking Ball songs. Wrecking Ball is a fantastic album. It's just so anthemic and inspiring. My song of choice of the album is Wrecking Ball. Which was actually written for the tearing down of the old Giants Stadium to make way for the new MetLife Stadium. Put Wrecking Ball on full blast and I ask you, are you not inspired' 'Hard times come and hard times go, hard times come and hard times go, just to come again.' I won't lie, I welled up and got shivers during this part. It's inexplicable considering I know the song and heard live at Hyde Park just two months earlier.
So far so sort of unexpected. We then hit my first surprise of the evening. 'Pay Me My Money Down' was played regularly on the Seeger Sessions tour. It had been played only three times in 2012 and then six years prior during the actual Seeger Sessions tour. So, to have this song played was quite a strange choice I thought. It did make sense though, due to the expansion of the band and that the sound of the Wrecking Ball album was, indeed, more Seeger Sessions than 'Magic' or 'Darkness'. It did provide a good sing a long for the crowd as well.
As we heard the final chords of 'Janey, Don't You Lose Heart' the clock hit midnight. And so began a mass birthday song to Bruce, The Almighty. I mean, how often do you get to sing Happy Birthday to Bruce on his actual birthday? As he alluded to earlier, the last time he sang on his birthday was 'in the days before manually operated hair dryers.' A rare treat for us fans indeed. He then launched into 'In The Midnight Hour'. Another song he'd not played live for many years, this time, however, that gap was 32 years. It was a rocking song and, obviously, a very fitting song.
Hitting the half way mark, he followed 'In The Midnight Hour' with one of my favourites. Another song that hadn't been played since 2009. 'Into The Fire', which Bruce dedicated to Rich Nappi, a FDNY Lt. that died in April while putting out a fire at a warehouse in Brooklyn. The song already packs an emotional gut punch. Dedicating it to a deceased fireman who saved lives, made that punch even more powerful.
The songs that followed were all expected. That is, until, what followed 'Waitin' On A Sunny Day'.
The dream for me, at a Springsteen gig at least, has been to not only see him in New Jersey but also to hear 'Meeting Across The River' live. This, Bruce decreed, was the night.
The first piano chords to that beautiful, sublime intro, followed by the gentle trumpet. I've not got this emotional during a song since my first live 'Jungleland'. It was just amazing. I was stunned into silence. Wanting desperately to sing a long but every time I tried, my voice just cracked. I decided it best to shut up and just take it in. It has long been one of my favourite songs...ever. And here I was, hearing it live. What, on this earth, could possibly make it better? As it turned out, the following song...
'Jungleland' has only been played a handful of times this tour. Mainly, due to Clarence's death last year. 'Jungleland', was his song. 'Jungleland' is all about the sax solo. I've heard it live a few times. My first time hearing it was at Cardiff '08. And that has remained my greatest concert going experience ever. The goosebumps I got. It felt like they were little daggers all over me. But now, as precious as that moment was. I was now hearing 'Meeting' into 'Jungleland'. It just does not get better than that. Now, please take 15 minutes out of your day and watch this. (Meeting Across the river is about half way through)
After the epic one-two of 'Meeting' and 'Jungleland', we needed a come down. We needed a 'Rocky Ground' to give us a break. We got 'Rocky Ground' but not before we got 'Thunder Road'. 'Thunder Road' is usually widely regarded as Bruce's masterpiece. it is usually alway in 'TOP 100' type lists. The only song of Bruce's that could realistically beat it in such lists is 'Born To Run'. Anyway, 'Thunder Road' offers the crowd the chance to take part in the ultimate sing a long. It is a fantastic and , at the risk of sounding like I'm a member of a cult and trying to get you to drink the Kool-aid, life-affirming song.
We then hit the encore which was filled with the only predictable part of a Springsteen gig. We get the usual; Born To Run (to breath new life into this song it either needs to move further up the set list, maybe make it an opener or start doing a different version of it). It is a great song but, personally, I think it's getting a little tired. This was followed by Glory Days, then Seven Nights To Rock, Dancing In The Dark, 10th Avenue and Twist and Shout (now with added fireworks!)
In between 10th Avenue and Twist and Shout, Bruce brought out his sister, mother and mother in law. The band then brought a big guitar cake which Bruce dished up and gave to people in the pit and on the stage. It was definitely a fun and unique way to end a rock concert.
Truth be told, If I look at the set list on paper, it wouldn't rank up there with my favourite Springsteen shows. It was not a bad show by any means, just an unexpected one. What clips it for me is many of the outside factors involved; getting evacuated due to weather, the late start of the concert, Bruce's Birthday, seeing him live in New Jersey and, most importantly, hearing 'Meeting Across The River' followed by 'Jungleland'. And let me tell you, there's no greater joy than to hear a rare, favourite song of yours live, for the first time...
