"Born To Run" followed, house lights up. I don't know how many people fit into the Hartford Civic Center, but every single one of them was up: dancing and singing. It's quite amazing to share this experience with a roomful of strangers. Not a spiritual experience? Only if you're dead inside.
The show ended with "American Land." BruceFan™ hates this too because "everybody hates it." Has dancing with unhinged levels of energy become the new way to express hatred? Must be!
Anyway, me and TheWife™ were totally drained (we were also wondering if Blogcritics' own Lisa McKay survived her experience down in the pit — a post-show phone call confirmed that Lisa was now 20 pounds lighter due to fluid loss but was never washing again as Bruce may have sweated on her at her third row, center position).
We floated back around the corner to our hotel, where I proceed to check in with Josh's show, followed by a shower and dive into bed. Sleep seems so delicious after a night like this.
I, for one, am satisfied.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
Great observations, Mark. BruceFan™s are at every show, only, of course, they're "whatever artist"-fans. Why this has to be, I don't know. They all know those days they pine for are long gone and yet they turn out tour after tour, sometimes ruining the show for everyone around them. There was even an AdrianFan™ at the Belew show last night who started out the show yelling out "I'M A LONE RHINO!" about 18 times hoping Adrian would both notice him and play the song. Neither happened and he moved on, thankfully.
2 - Lisa McKay
My bones are complaining this morning, and on five hours of sleep I feel like the walking dead, but boy, was it ever worth it.
3 - Josh Hathaway
You'll be getting a bill from 11 and I for the wanton use of our trademark phrase.
Great review. 55 days. So it with me. 55 days.
4 - Glen Boyd
Holy crap, what a setlist Mark! "So Young And In Love," "Janey," "Loose Ends," and "Backstreets" and "Kittys Back" back to back? I can't imagine it getting much beter than that.
While technically speaking I may fall into your dreaded "Superfan" group --- Ive seen Bruce a bunch of times going way back, and I'll admit I was a little concerned about the setlists being a little samey toward the end of the Europe swing last fall -- I'm not one of the complainers.
For me, Bruce shows have always been about just what you described here. That "cracking" energy level for one thing. And for another, that whole shared communal thing about being in a big room with about 20,000 of your best friends at the best party ever with the best house band on earth. Thats what keeps me coming back night after night, year after year.
Down to 1 month and counting for Seattle/Portland, and I can't wait. This great report has me salivating even more. Thanx!
-Glen
P.S. I hear Lisa's okay too...
5 - El Bicho
It has been requested by a certain ddouchebag that you please keep the Bruce shilling down to a minimum. Thanks.
6 - JC Mosquito
So Young and in Love - I would've paid $$$ to hear them open with that obscure nugget.
Sounds like a heckuva show, Mark.
7 - Laura
Loved loved loved the show... I've never seen Kitty's back live and I was thrilled! I really think that was the most unique set list I've seen during this tour.
The only disappointment was how the GA was handled, very haphazard and it got crazy down there with people "saving" places for others and pushing up front. It was a long day being on our feet from 2pm on... but if Bruce can do those high kicks then I can stand for 9 hours!
8 - Mark Saleski
i don't know if i've ever heard Backstreets live. man, that just knocked me out.
9 - JC Mosquito
Saw Bruce only once, but he did Backstreets that night.
Magnificent.