Tonight:
5°c
John Aizlewood's rating
, The Boss unleashes his mighty arsenal
By
John Aizlewood
2 Jun 2008
"So" grinned Bruce Springsteen, "nobody has ever played here before, right? We gotta test this structure ..."
He wasn't the only one doing the testing. Outside, attempting to assuage residents' fears of being boomed out of their homes, Islington council was apparently checking the noise didn't exceed 75 decibels and that we were all packed off home by 10.30. Since there were no enforced power cuts and 10.35 is a less precise man's 10.30, they were surely happy.
They might have been better advised checking the sound inside. Despite the Emirates' many positives as a live venue: local Tube stations aplenty; comfy seats; reasonable sightlines; the prospect of a cut-up pitch impeding Arsenal's much-lauded passing game next season, the sound was mostly muffled.
Having built his extraordinary career on being everyman, Springsteen is in danger of fulfilling his own prophesy. 2002's fabulous The Rising, the most poetic response to 9/11, seemed to sap his creative energy, hence the insipid Devils And Dust; the folk diversion with the Seeger Sessions album and tour and his current E Street Band album, the ho-hum Magic.
Somehow a Bruce Springsteen album is no longer an event and, once a serious political weather vane, his recent endorsement of Barack Obama raised barely a ripple stateside.
Live though, even without his wife/backing vocalist Patti Scialfa and keyboardist Danny Federici, who died in April, the fire still burns and it burned for almost three resident-baiting hours.
Always a showman despite that man of the people shtick, Springsteen hauled his 58-year-old limbs around stage with the gusto of a twentysomething.
Indeed, before the opening Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out had passed, he had dangled off his microphone stand like a trapeze artist and hurtled into the crowd, pressed up against the stage in the welcome absence of a security-patrolled pit.
Whatever Springsteen's real thoughts, he gave every impression that his entire life had been building up to this night in N5.
He used the stage screens better than any artist I've seen, be it sliding athletically into a camera during Mary's Place or simply by filming from behind him, giving the audience a Springsteen's eye view of proceedings.
The band were sometimes lost in the murky sound, but with Clarence Clemons dressed like a hotel doorman, Soozie Tyrell adding a dose of much-needed femininity and Nils Lofgren unassuming but outstanding on guitar, they had the air of an elderly gang.
The set was bold too: plenty of Rising magic; some of Magic itself, plus standards - a celebratory Dancing In The Dark, a thumping Born To Run - and treats for the hardcore fans such as The Promised Land and the moving Point Blank.
Not absolutely vintage Springsteen but in those near-three hours, I didn't check the time once.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (15)
Fans of Bruce Springsteen are not only devoted but articulate about why they worship the Boss. The new book 'For You: Original Stories & Photographs by Bruce Springsteen's Legendary Fans' is the work of disciples from Boise to Barcelona. The mayor of Delray Beach, Fla., says it best: 'Bruce fans are a fraternity - we share something deep and special, a relationship with the artist and with each other.
- John Ripert, New York, New York, 03/06/2008 21:08
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Doubt it was booing the previous poster heard - sure it was people shouting "brooooce!" which is a sign of appreciation!
- Rosalita, kent, 02/06/2008 20:12
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I was at the same Saturday concert as Conorm and, although I agree that the sound was muddy at times, the event was still fabulous. Factor in all round stadium perfection in sound and " fabulous " would become, well, fabulous ad infinitum. PS. Who are all these idiots, non fans obviously, who interpret crowd chants of " Bruuuuuce " as booing?. Pathetic.
- David Coleman, Glasgow, Scotland, 02/06/2008 20:06
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Went on Friday and what a show. I was in the standing section behind the pits. Bruce showed the energy and performed some amazing songs which transferred to the crowd. He was enjoying himself as was I. There were some bald middle/old age corporate folk who spoke throughout each song. Otherwise this is my fifth Springsteen concert and by far the best. No coincidence that he did 28 songs on this night which is the most so far on his tour for a single gig. Can all non-Bruce Corporate show offs please stay away next time so tickets go to true fans.
- Steve, Southall, 02/06/2008 19:18
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I attended Friday. Magnificent venue with great show by Bruce, however, time to change the soundman. This after all is a Sony BMG production supporting one of the greatest live entertainers in popular music history and there is no excuse for poor acoustic engineering! Also, thought Bruce tried a little too hard at times and the visual balance and vocal is enhanced when Patti (Mrs. Springsteen) is on set! Notwithstanding all that, the show still delivered some quite epic and memorable moments.
- Steve Dean, London, 02/06/2008 19:13
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I went on Friday and I thought it was one of the best shows I've seen (my tenth Springsteen concert). I was in the upper tier and had no problems with the sound. Springsteen was full of energy and loving every minute of being up there. The screens were great and 2 hours 45 minutes is incredible for any band nowadays.
The 'booing' has been mentioned a couple of times, is it not possible that it was the infamous 'bruuuce' -ing that is a mainstay of the man's concerts?
- Becky, London, 02/06/2008 18:15
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To Conorm:
People near you were NOT booing Bruce. They were shouting BRUCE -which is a very famous shout by fans in his concerts for over 30 years. Seems like most of the 60,000 thousands fans had a wonderful time and were not frustrated as you seem to be.
- Jeff, London, UK, 02/06/2008 18:07
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I also went to on Friday, and agree it was amazing. If you want to see one of rock's true legends, then go to Cardiff on the 14th June and prepare to be entertained - you will not be disappointed! I booked my tickets this morning...The Boss is back!
- Stu, London, 02/06/2008 15:43
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Went with friends and family to the Friday show and luckily for the first time ever in seeing him live which is now in double figures we were treated to the pit and that has got to be one of the best experiences of my life. I thought the show was awesome and felt Bruce and the Band just get better and better. He is so fit and to perform for three hours in breakneck speed of songs/guitar changes and energy he gives is truly a wonderful experience. Hope he tours again. I agree with Berny regarding the residents getting a free concert. I remember in 88 when we went to Sheffield for the Tunnel of Love tour and took some relatives with us for the first concert who lived in Sheffield and they thoroughly enjoyed the next night performance from their back step as well.
- Liz, Gosport, Hants., 02/06/2008 15:37
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I went to the Emirates for the Saturday concert. It certainly didn't last 3 hours and the set list was shorter than the Friday night. And the choice of material (from what I could recognise) seemed frankly a bit dull... From where I was sitting on the lower tier towards the middle of the stadium the sound was really dire. Almost loud enough, but very fuzzy/muddy. On the slower songs there was a slight echo making the words unintelligible. Some people near me were booing between songs. I could understand their frustration. I left before the end.
Another illusion shattered...I had thought Springsteen could do no wrong!
- Conorm, London, 02/06/2008 15:29
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Amazing show on Friday night, no issues with sound from my location on front row of "the pit behind the bit".
Great to hear Point Blank and 10th Ave Freeze Out was a classy opener.
Security couldn't deal with the pit invasion going into Rosilita though.
28 songs, longest show the tour and a great night!
- Andrew T, Hockley Essex, 02/06/2008 14:10
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What a travesty of a concert. For those sitting in the upper tiers we were subjected to one of the worst sound systems heard in the capital for decades. The incoherent sound rendered each number indistinguishable from another. The lyrics were completely lost. Bruce and the band were working their socks off, but the effort was completely wasted. After speaking to the stewards it seemed this problem was common place in the upper tiers and there was no way we could move to another part of the venue. This was further confirmed by the widespread booing in the upper sections. After an hour of this we were left with no other option but to leave the show, as we did not want to hear anymore of our favourite numbers mangled by the inept sound system. I have since learned that the sound was OK at ground level. It was tragic that we were not able to join in the party!
- Jeff Lattimore, London. UK, 02/06/2008 13:26
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I was at the gig on Friday night, I think the review is fair, the sound was poor, especially at the upper levels.
Bruce did his best, stadiums are never going to give you the best concert experience, but Bruce is a great showman and when push comes to shove the chance to see him at work overcomes the choice of venue.
There were a couple of favourites missing, but some interesting material got a welcome airing. Personally I think Magic is a stronger album than the reviewer thinks and the songs played were well delivered. Again personally I can live without Born to Run, although it's hard to see him NOT playing it. Too many bald middle aged people punching the air and singing "tramps like us" are not a good advert for Bruce's music. However the whole crowd singing along with Thunder Road bought the hairs on your neck to attention.
- Chris, UK, 02/06/2008 13:23
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I went to both nights, first night in the seats to left of stage (sound was awful, muffled and echos on the slower numbers) and second night in the front of the pit (best experience ever!), where the sound was awesome. Seems like it was the orientation of the speakers that dictated what your experience was like.
Now into double figures of Bruce shows over the years and he just gets better, hope I have that energy at 58! Great mix of set-lists and awesome Jungleland, though you have to wonder if Clarence will make another (as rumoured) world tour, as he's not too mobile (though can still play sax like no other).
Disappointed in the council if they dictated the sound level and curfew as Bruce started second night ten minutes later than first and finished bang on 10.30pm when you just knew he wanted to do more as he has no gig now for 2 weeks. Do local residents really mind getting a free concert on a Saturday night in London?!
- Berny Higgins, Salisbury, UK, 02/06/2008 12:40
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I went on Friday. Amazing show with Bruce giving out such energy for 3 hours so excellent value for money. He's just incredible!
- Angela, London, 02/06/2008 11:42
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