It’s no secret that Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band was one of the major acts of the weekend. In fact, they were the only band to be playing live from about 9:00pm till 12:30am. Incidentally, while waiting for them to take the stage, I could hear Cotton Jones in the background at the Café Where tent.
The Boss and band began at around 9:30pm to a full — and loud — house. This was the first time I'd ever seen Bruce Springsteen live and so I hardly kept my eyes off the stage.
I recognized a couple of songs but it became clear that I'm a novice when it comes to Springsteen’s catalog. I enjoyed hearing “Youngstown” as well as one particular track I never thought I would hear live in my life. Actually, it was a sign request — albeit an improbable one — but Springsteen apparently saw the humor in it and proceeded to play “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” It was more than I could have asked for.
People of all ages soaked in the almost three-hour set with some singing along and even more dancing and enjoyment of the cool evening. Springsteen admitted that Bonnaroo was only the second festival the band had ever played, their first being in Norway recently. Festival or not, The Boss played a full show complete with an encore as well as a great cover of Steven Foster’s “Hard Times Come Again No More.”
I laughed when Springsteen would ask the crowd if they were “all Bonnaroo’d out yet”. I was sure getting there, but I didn't let my heavy eyes prevent me from enjoying other tunes like “Glory Days,” “Dancing In The Dark,” and “Rosalita.” I later heard that it was quite rare to hear all three songs played live during the same show and I consider myself lucky to have done so.
Once Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band finished up, the crowd made its way to the other side of Centeroo where more artists were to deliver late night sets. I immediately headed for the Which Stage as Nine Inch Nails were about to give a taste of what they do to Bonnaroo.
Article comments
1 - dirtyrickshaw
Springsteen wasn't the only one playing at the time. Jeff Bujak was playing on another stage. Check 'yer facts, folks.
2 - theglenburnie
You're such a newb. You probably should have hung out with the guy with the white powder--we would all be better off for it. It might have made for a more interesting review.
3 - Jordan Richardson
Sounds like a good time. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Brian!
4 - jack
Meh, I would have appreciated a more critical review of some of the artists. Did you really think they were all that great? I herd several people complain that Wilco sounded bland and complaints from others that the Boss' voice sounded shot and his song selection was weighted far too much in favor of his more recent collection rather than his classics (considering this wasn't a typical Springsteen audience, this was a poor choice on his part).
5 - paul
the dr. john cover dan dyer performed was "i walk on guilded splinters" (on dan's self-titled album)
6 - Corey
"I wasn't interested in seeing MGMT or Moe and I really was lacking energy so day three at Bonnaroo was concluded."
This confirms that you are a douche.