You may be wondering why Bruce Springsteen is returning to perform in Ireland. Didn’t he just entertain us with his music last year? Well, as his devotees would eagerly tell you, the legendary musician held three shows at the RDS in the past May, but fans are far from satisfied. They are set to turn out en masse for his upcoming concerts in Belfast (9th May), Kilkenny (12th May), Cork (16th May), and Dublin (19th May).
In the last year alone, Springsteen has sold upwards of 350,000 tickets in Ireland, pushing his total Irish ticket sales since his first show in 1985 to a whopping million. If you’re contemplating attending, rest assured there are still tickets available for his Irish shows per the Ticketmaster website. But be warned they are rather pricey, ranging from €120 in Belfast to €161.25 for the least expensive seats at his Croke Park show. To avoid any scams, the promoters recommend only buying through accredited sellers.
So who are these ardent followers of Springsteen’s music? He boasts one of the most substantial superfan communities in the music world. He has put on 28 shows in Ireland to date, with some fans proudly claiming to have attended them all. The majority of his listeners are those in their 50s and 60s who have fond memories of his “Born in the USA” era and beyond.
Still doubt why he’s still performing at 74? Maybe ‘The Boss’ might have an answer in one of his tunes – “So you’re scared, and you’re thinking. That maybe we ain’t that young anymore.” Peter Aiken, concert promoter, also points out that Springsteen’s appeal spans to younger generations, many of whom have inherited their adoration for him from their parents. The enduring rockstar, who might seem ageless as he energetically struts around the stages, continues to put on spirited performances and embark on extensive tours, even after decades in the industry. He remains all too human though. Last September, he was forced to call off the remainder of his US tour due to a debilitating peptic ulcer.
His comeback started in Phoenix, Arizona, on 19th March, inaugurating a series of 48 concerts across the year. Yes, you read that right.
He is not in it for the financial gains, given that he recently handed his music rights over to Sony Music Entertainment for a whopping $500 million (€464 million).
Those who have attended his performances will testify to his passion for touring and being in front of a live audience. Clearly, he wouldn’t opt for it otherwise.
Is this the final opportunity for fans to see him perform live?
Although fans might anticipate this to be his last live journey, similar predictions have been made over the past 20 years.
Retirement predictions escalated with the Covid-19 pandemic, especially since before last year’s concerts in the RDS, he had not performed in Ireland for a duration of six years.
However, there is no suggestion from Springsteen himself that he plans to retire, and he wouldn’t be blamed if he chose to.
What are the concert timings and the setlist he will perform?
All venues will throw open their gates around 5pm (subject to change) with Springsteen taking the stage at exactly 7pm, showcasing his punctuality.
Providing at least three hours of music with no supporting act, his setlists remain unpredictable. He is known to pick songs from fans’ placards and render them, keeping his E Street Band on their toes.
Dubbing his E Street Band with flattering phrases such as “heart-stopping, pants-dropping, love-making, earth-quaking, Viagra-taking”, Springsteen maintains his charm.
Exaggerated praise aside, anyone who has watched him perform live, including the numerous music enthusiasts in Ireland, would concur that he delivers bang for the buck.
In a recent Sunday performance at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, on the 5th of May, he played the following tracks:
– So Young and in Love
– Lonesome Day
– No Surrender
– Prove It All Night
– Darlington County
– Ghosts
– Better Days
– The Promised Land
– Spirit in the Night
– Hungry Heart
– If I Was the Priest
– My City of Ruins
– Nightshift
– The River
– Last Man Standing
– Backstreets
Set List:
– Evening Melodies:
– Evolution of a Lady
– Demolition Sphere
– Emergence
– Wilderness
– Acoustic Highway
1st Interval
– Birthplace of Freedom
– Destiny’s Child
– Robert’s Girl
– Shadows Waltz
– Icy Street Jam
– Swirl and Yell
2nd Interval
– Dreamdate Reunion
Getting to concert venues:
Transport for Ireland encourages concertgoers to utilise public transport to reach the venues for a smoother journey. From any part of Ireland, plan your journey to the venue through their online portal, transportforireland.ie. Note that surrounding areas of the venues would lack street parking.
Venue Entry Requirements:
Your entry pass, downloadable from your Ticketmaster account, should be stored on your iPhone wallet or Google Pay wallet prior to the concert. Screenshots or printed digital tickets won’t be recognised for entry.
There’s a bar on individuals under 14 from the pitch/standing areas, allowing them in seating sections only.
Individuals under 16 to be escorted by an 18-plus attendee. Seated tickets are mandatory for all under-14 persons as they’ll be barred from pitch or standing areas.
Entry will be denied for children inferior to six. A valid ticket is compulsory for entry.
Line-Up at the Venue:
Early line-ups are not entertained at any venue. As venues are in residential zones, maintaining decorum and respecting the privacy of locals is appreciated.
Items Allowed and Restricted:
Included in the restricted items list are flagpoles, banner sticks, selfie sticks, umbrellas, professional cameras and recording devices with detachable lenses, bottles, glass containers, cans, flasks, flares, laser devices, inflatables, prams, pushchairs, and folding chairs. It’s always suggested to avoid bags unless absolutely needed to enjoy fast-track entry.
Departure and Re-entry Policy:
On the event day, if you decide to leave the venue, please note that a return would not be allowed.
Road Closure Near Venues:
Affirmative. Due to the location of the event site within the residential and commercial zones, there will be certain road closures and restrictions with access only permitted to residents, in the vicinity of the event site, prior and post each musical evening. For information on traffic constraints particular to the event location, kindly visit garda.ie
Is there a provision for a specifically assigned section for individuals using wheelchairs at the musical shows?
Indeed. However, it’s important to note that the space in this section is confined. Therefore, we recommend verifying the availability on ticketmaster.ie.