Bruce Springsteen delivered an exhilarating finale to his four-show Ireland tour at Croke Park on the 19th of May. The tour had premiered at Boucher Playing Fields in Belfast on the 9th of May, where Springsteen’s performance was deemed as immense. Thereafter, he went on to thrill audience at Nowlan Park in Kilkenny with a heartfelt performance of The Pogues’ A Rainy Night in Soho as an ode to deceased Shane MacGowan. Last Thursday, under the wet conditions of Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, Springsteen stirred emotions of over 40,000 spectators as he belted out Who’ll Stop the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival, climaxing with another rendition of Rainy Night in Soho. Devoted fans also enjoyed various songs the superstar performed from his sign-bearing supporters, including Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.
So how did the spectators find his closing performance?
‘Still brimming with vitality’
Having watched him almost four decades ago in Slane, I can vouch for the fact that his vigour remains undiminished. A wonderful show backed by an amazing band. Bruce seemed to be genuinely relishing the occasion, and the crowd shared his enthusiasm. He played many of his classic hits and had the spectators up and dancing. His final number, Rainy night in Soho, was simply unmatched. – Eithne McIlroy, Belfast
Improving with age
Springsteen’s craft only gets finer with time! – John McCabe, Co Dublin
‘Thrilling’
Absolutely outstanding. The unfussy rock’n’roll, simplicity, pureness and literal barefaced honesty were simply incredible. A night to remember filled with sheer exhilaration. The joy Springsteen gets from his music and his remarkably talented band members is simply contagious. It was electrifying to be at Croke Park, savouring a timeless concert.- Stephen Connolly, Co Dublin
‘Outstanding’
It was an absolute spectacle! He was nothing short of sensational. I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster – ecstatic, melancholic, amused and moved to tears. It was my first time seeing him perform. – Sheila Foy, Co Meath.
It was an exceptional performance by Bruce at Croke Park. Orla Whelan from Dublin views it as being at par with the exhilarating concert in Slane that took place back in 1985. “Brilliant” was her succinct appraisal of the night’s event.
John Coyle from Belfast weighed in too, describing the wonderful time experienced at Croker, which followed captivating moments of Dancing in Páirc. Dublin’s version was an impeccable finale, featuring some pleasant surprises such as ‘Reason to Believe’. This was distinguishable from the other three Irish concerts, but was equally remarkable in its grandeur and control.
Cork, of course, was a bit more driven and concentrated. Belfast and Kilkenny, both proving themselves as thoroughly polished events displaying the essence of Springsteen’s iconic stadium rock. An assortment was seamlessly integrated into a solid core, indulging loyal fans, first-timers, and occasional attendees alike.
With humour and humility intertwined with magnificent musical prowess, these four distinct yet uniformly high-standard nights formed an engaging and delightful show. Some parts of each night were notably outstanding. Coyle even hints that these concerts might be a notch higher than those of 2023. An overall exemplary delivery, he commends.