Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band offered a phenomenal performance at Boucher Playing Fields, Belfast, kickstarting their show with “No Surrender.” Intriguingly, Springsteen used the song to propose a distinct interpretation of the word “no surrender”, a term carrying a potent undertone in Belfast.
The remarkable concert was dedicated to those who are no longer with us, exploring themes of loss and what endures. Springsteen was determined to invoke nostalgic memories, uphold cherished principles and honour the quintessence of the deceased. Showcasing an energetic fervour, he put on a performance reminiscent of revival tent shows, encouraging audience participation and emotional engagement.
Following up with melodic moments including “Lonesome Day,” “Prove It All Night,” and “Ghosts,” the concert featured a brass band, choir, and familiar members of the E Street Band. Resplendent in a black waistcoat, a white shirt, and vibrant cherry-red Doc Martens, Springsteen dominated the stage with his incredible charisma.
True to his style, Springsteen refrained from speaking much until the band hit their rhythm, an hour into the concert. However, his emotive songs did the talking, building up to a crescendo when “The Promised Land” was performed. Active for over 50 years now, the E Street band’s leader, Springsteen, who will turn 75 in September, wouldn’t have looked out of place in a boxing ring, so fit and keen did he appear. Springsteen and his ensemble still pour life into three-hour-long concerts, breathing fresh life into beloved classics and lesser-known tracks alike, resulting in an infectiously joyful and undeniably authentic atmosphere.
The city of Belfast reciprocated the energy, warmly welcoming Springsteen’s first performance in Northern Ireland since 2013. When he sang “Hungry Heart” and “Backstreets,” the crowd delighted in the nostalgic melody. Furthermore, his performance of “Spirit in the Night” served as a reminder of Springsteen’s early stylistic debt to Van Morrison. Later on, during “She’s the One,” Springsteen’s harmonica work seemed to morph effortlessly into Morrison’s “Mystic Eyes.”
The performance reached a high point with Max Weinberg’s powerful snare drum strikes during “The Rising,” while Jake Clemons, honouring his late uncle Clarence, seamlessly filled the saxophonist role.
The concluding ten melodies are indeed impactful, with the 18-member band showing no signs of wavering. Steven Van Zandt astounds the crowd with his Glory Days interaction, whilst Thunder Road prompts an inclusive exploration amongst the spectators in the pit, with the vocalist gathering keepsakes and accepting hugs from loyal followers.
Rewind exactly half a century, Springsteen and the E Street Band were set as the supporting act for Bonnie Raitt at the reputable Harvard Square Theatre, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Jon Landau, a notable music journalist and future manager of Springsteen, was present that day and wrote an unforgettable piece of rock history: “I saw rock and roll future, and its name is Bruce Springsteen.” Many of the guests bathed in the early summer radiance of Belfast would surely back the proclamation made back in 1974. He has remained victorious.
Everyone desires Springsteen’s unwavering energy to guide us once again through shaky epochs. Yet, he’s fully cognizant that the show doesn’t last infinitely. This is evidenced in the theme which pervades his 2020 album, Letter to You, a letter soaked in struggles with loss and departures.
That’s precisely how he bids farewell to Belfast, solely accompanied by his trusted acoustic guitar whilst he sings “I’ll See You in my Dreams”. He navigates us gently but firmly into the night. A final act of generosity; absorb and appreciate your blessing from The Boss.