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John Aizlewood's rating
Bruce Springsteen is back...and he's dancing in the park
By
John Aizlewood
29 Jun 2009
A sun gently setting over Hyde Park. Heathrow-bound planes overhead.
And Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band on stage. Could things really get any better?
Of course they could. Perhaps if they began with a rip-roaring version of The Clash’s London Calling... Guess what? They did that too.
Springsteen had us from the first “I live by the river”.
For the remainder of a jumbo, three-hour set which covered old and new, familiar and less heralded and, from 1855, Stephen Foster’s once again relevant Hard Times Come Again No More, Springsteen by turns surprised, tested and pleased his crowd.
And, lest we forget his imagination-free pub rocker moments, there was Johnny 99 and the rarely performed Seeds to briefly bore them, too.
Springsteen and his E Street Band (minus the current Mrs Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, also absent from last year’s Emirates shows) have the aura of a gang, albeit as their boss, The Boss, described them, a “Viagra-taking” one for whom middle-age is fast becoming a sepia-tinted memory.
Man-mountain saxophonist Clarence Clemons, 67, blew hard, despite recovering from double hip and double knee replacement surgery, but the others charged through the elderly Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) and this year’s heroic Outlaw Pete, a showcase for virtuoso fiddle player Soozie Tyrell.
They even found time for a young starstruck guest on No Surrender: Brian Fallon, singer of fellow New Jerseyites The Gaslight Anthem, with whom Springsteen had appeared before headlining Glastonbury on Saturday.
But gangs need a gang leader and Springsteen, 60 in September, gambolled about the stage, collected the crowd’s written requests and gleefully played the cheerleader.
“Are there any people alive in London tonight?” he teased. There were.
He remains that contradiction in terms: the blue-collar global superstar and a triple whammy to start the breathless third hour proved it: the comforting Lonesome Day; that troubled call to uncertain arms, The Rising and then a heady Born To Run, 34 years old but still — somehow — in no danger of outstaying its welcome.
At the very end, after a joyous assault on Glory Days and Dancing In The Dark re-imagined as a fairground waltz, a fan handed Springsteen a banner saying Greetings From Hyde Park (after his 1973 debut Greetings From Asbury Park NJ).
He displayed it and his delight was matched by the crowd’s.
He went as he came: doing exactly the right thing.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (26)
Just bought the bluray of this concert and really enjoyed it. Bruce and The E Street band were right on the mark. Bruce was awesome especially after performing the day befour. The set list was good,but not great.I wished Bruce would have replaced a few of the not so popular songs with the likes of Down Bound Train, Darlington County, Further on up the Road, Thunder Road, Tenth Avenue Freeze Out,Ramrod and Prove it All Night. All in All, you couldn't ask more from Bruce & The E Street Band, as their energy level was very high as usual. When Clarence did his Jungle Land Sax Solo it right on the money. The crowd was great and got right into it, especially Bad Lands.It was great to see them do Trapped and Racing in the street, but to see them do Rosilita live was a real treat. I gave this concert two thumbs up, way up.
- Buck, Calgary, 08/11/2010 21:22
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My tenth boss gig, simply an awesome 3 hours in Hyde Park that simply flew by, Racing in the Street was a real high spot, pity there was no Thunder Road, but why quibble about a small point after such an amazing show, as for the E Street Band they are like a fine wine, they just get better with age, have waited years to hear Youngstown which blew me away, hurry back Bruce & the E Street Band & show the youngsters how to put on a show!!!
- Mike Collard, London UK, 22/07/2009 23:43
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I've seen Bruce over 60 times and he just gets better. After a long night at Glastonbury the day before, he still had so much energy to thrill the massive Hyde Park crowd, despite approaching his 60th birthday!A few of the many highlights included Jungleland, Trapped and the beautiful Racing In The Street. The E Street Band were on top form and showed why they remain the best band in the world, especially when Bruce changes the setlist frequently.The crowd were excellent and really joined in with the songs. Unlike most big performers nowadays, Bruce does not have all the fancy choreography, costume changes and hype that sell records. However, what he does have is passion and spirit. In abundance. He puts the heart and soul into rock and roll. Thanks Bruce for yet another memorable night; it was a privilege to be at Hyde Park watching you.
- Siobhan Mcilmail, London, UK, 22/07/2009 22:43
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This was my third Springsteen gig ,and by far the best one. From the great London Calling onwards ,the Boss had the crowd eating out of his hand ,and even new fans like my wife Tess loved the way he worked the crowd.As for my 9 year old son,Darren,this was his second Boss gig and he already loves his music and wants to be the new Boss when he grows up.Thank you Bruce and the E-Street Band for a very memorable night in Hyde Park and Greetings from Twickenham,England.
- Andy,Tess And Darren ., Twickenham,England., 22/07/2009 22:43
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A great show last night. We were only on the outskirts of the crowd as we were late arrivals but still loved it but sadly an awful lot of people seemed only to be there for the beer and chat (something I have noticed in the last ten years since I took up concert-going after a twenty five year or so break)
- Sue, Haslemere Surrey, 22/07/2009 22:43
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it was a great concert, but the pure musicianship of the Dave Matthews band in support was a sight to behold as well.
all any of us could talk about was how good they were, how they commanded your attention and won over the crowd who was here to see someone else.
surprised to see them singled out for criticism
- Scotty, london, 22/07/2009 22:43
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I'm afraid that I was neither at Glastonbury or Hyde Park but what I saw on Saturday night blew me away! That was an awesome performance, just brilliant!!!
- Goggs, London, 22/07/2009 22:43
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i went to the hyde park concert last night, and oh my god, it was INCREDIBLE! he did all my favourite songs, except thunder road, my lucky day and living in the future. the atmosphere was amazing, and you could tell that he and the e-street band were having a blast too.
this was my 2nd time seeing him, and it was fabulous.
i'm only 15, but i am obsesed with his music, and think he's the best live act you could ever possibly see, and writes the best songs you could ever possibly hear. 200/10.
- Samantha, Kent, UK, 22/07/2009 22:43
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Another great performance but the Real Man and his band!!! Sir Bruce Springsteen is still rocking and better each day; even a new song like Outlaw Pete felt like a classic. Concert was great but, sorry to say so my frineds from London, but audience was very passive during the first half of the show!!!! people seemed to be more interested in not spilling their beer and on dancing to the music. this has been my eleventh concert over 4 different countries and must say yesterday I got dissapointed with the crowed. people only started to get into the concert when he played Born to Run.In any case looking foward to my 4 concerts left this summer : 2 in Dublin in two weeks time and 2 in Spain at beginning of August. Keep on rocking Bruce; hoe one day my future kids to come enjoy your music and messages at least half my wife and I do... Greetings to Hyde Park 
- Jose Manuel, Spain, 22/07/2009 22:43
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Legend!!
Bruce and the E street band were outstanding, This is what proper music sounds like!!
- Paddington Girl, West London, 22/07/2009 22:43
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Having previously seen them in a small venue seeing Gaslight Anthem go "stadium" was great fun and it was good to see the Boss come out and pound his way through "59 Sound" with them.
James Morrison was rather Magic FM styled Meh (although it seemed he was atleast trying to be a bit more rock n roll than he usually is) but the Hooty & the Blowfish goes prog racket of the Dave Matthews Band made me want to tear my own face off in irritation but it was all just sacrifice before the sweet rock n roll deliverence of the E Street Band.
It was superb we were saing on the way there "god imagine if he opened with "Badlands" followed by Night" and HE DID! He hardly ever plays "Night"... i'd like to think he was walking behind us and we didnt realise. Unlikely but i can dream.
- Phoenix Phil, London, 22/07/2009 22:43
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I had been waiting all my life to see Bruce live and he certainly did not disappoint. Managed to be only four back from the front and the atmosphere was electric. That close to the front there were very few drunks talking, most were very into singing and dancing, only prob was people trying to push in which did create a bit of hostility in some areas! Music was just great. He has amazing energy (just a few years younger than my parents can you believe). I loved the way he interacted with the crowd, not loads of talking, but I like to think he made eye contact with me! James Morrison was pretty boring (just outshone by the other rockers), Dave Matthews band were obviously great musicians, but just not my thing, but we liked Beauvoir free and the Gaslight Anthem (although I had never heard of either of them before), plan on checking them out. The 3 hours the Boss played just flew by though, it should have been 5!
- Mandy, Warwickshire, England, 22/07/2009 22:43
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To "Phoenix Phil"
Dave Matthew Band, irritating? They played an amazing concert too, they are great musicians, just not the usual stadium rockband. Bruce can rock the house, but Dave Matthews band are magicians, if they had 3 hours, they would without a doubt make it as good as Springsteen. But if you are not into their style, fair enough.
- Morten, Odense, Denmark, 22/07/2009 22:43
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It was my first Springsteen experience and well worth it. Clearly all the people that got falling down drunk and chatted through the entire event were the ones who singled out Dave Matthews band for criticism. You'd have to be smashed to not notice that their star was shining that day, and along with Mr S - they proved a joy to behold.
- Lou, Nottingham, UK, 22/07/2009 22:43
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People talking especially during Racing in the Street really hacks me off (had to tell some to shut up). And people keeping on pushing through to get nearer the front when they can see its chocker. Because of this preferred seeing him when you can get a seat (or rather a reserved standing spot).
great concert though, but dragged slightly in the middle - Seeds/Johnny 99 aren't great even though he does them every night. Good Lovin was dull. Still we got Racing in the Street (again, after O2 in 2007)
maybe his last ever concert in England I'm guessing...
- Andrew, Cambridge, 22/07/2009 22:43
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Oh and I wish he would stop playing American Land every concert.
- Andrew, Cambridge, 22/07/2009 22:43
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The Dave Matthews Band has polarized opinions. Earlier I described them as dull-as-ditchwater. My wife thought they were even worse: she was going nuts at the racket they were making and was seriously thinking of leaving before the main event. As for suggesting that he and his band could be as big as Bruce: come on! Clearly accomplished musicians, there is one simple problem. They are completely tune-free. It was only during the final minutes of their set that the shreds of a tune appeared, and that turned out to be from Stairway To Heaven!
- Paul, London, 22/07/2009 22:43
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My 15th Bruce show and I agree, Rosalita was awesome, Outlaw Pete is far better live than on record and Clarence looks more frail as each year/tour goes by. Bruce had fun with the number of steps down to the audience, "someone get me an elevator, I'm nearly 60!!" but didn't put him off his regular trips toward us.
Only disappointment of the day was the awful security at the gates, liike die-hard Bruce fans I arrived early morning (8am), got my wrist numbered and waited patiently like all Bruce fans do but then it descended into a farcical free-for-all when the gates opened. I was told by a "security supervisor" that "this isn't a Bruce show, it's a festival for everyone" but that's no excuse for letting the usual liggers and late-arrivals do their usual thing.
- Berny, Salisbury, UK, 22/07/2009 22:43
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I was one of the privileged throng on hand to witness the finest band in the world and their inspirational leader. And I'm not talking about the dull-as-ditchwater support, the Dave Matthews Band (these did the boring pub-rock, not Bruce and the lads - and lass). How fabulous to hear the operatic Jungleland in the encore. And how disappointing to hear many of Bruce's fans - they were all wearing the t-shirts - nattering during this masterpiece. Long may Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band reign. And next time I see you, Bruce (and please God let there be a next time) will you please play these? Downbound Train, Devil's Arcade, Atlantic City and Darkness on the Edge of Town.
- Paul, London, 22/07/2009 22:43
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The Boss is the Boss and will always be the Boss. He is getting better as the years close in
Good to see younger people in crowd and lets hope this day is re lived very soon
Thank you bruce and the boys
- Philip Hand, Birmingham UK, 22/07/2009 22:43
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Having now seen Springsteen 7 times.He and the E steet band just get better.Sorry can not say the same about Blur,they should have not come out of retirement.
- Terence Lines, Birmingham England, 22/07/2009 22:43
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Cracking show by The Boss on Saturday. Springsteen and the band were on rousing form. You can always quibble about the set list, but you can't argue with the commitment of a 60 year old playing great music for three hours without a break. The Gaslight Anthem and The Dave Matthews Band provided worthy support. Appropriately enough it rained on dreary old James Morrison.
As another reviewer has pointed out - what is it with people who go to gigs to get plastered and talk all the way through? Particularly irritating during the quieter numbers.
- Simon, London, England, 22/07/2009 22:43
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AMAZING evening!
Bruce Springsteen proved once again who he's The Boss!
- Agnete Klejs Hansen, Ferndown, Dorset, 22/07/2009 22:43
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GETS BETTER EVERYTIME YOU SEE HIM AND THE BAND
THAT'S WHAT A CONCERT SHOULD BE LIKE, YOUNG PRETENDERS OUT THERE, TAKE A TIP AND WATCH THE BOSS IN ACTION
TOTALLY FANTASTIC
- Sue, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, 22/07/2009 22:43
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Absolutely AMAZING show that went like a train for three hours solid and didn't waiver once!
James Morrison was excellent, The Dave Matthews band tedious but The BOSS was sensational and a true showman. Couldn't fault him or his fantastic band!!
- Debbie & Bill Holmes, Harpenden - ENGLAND, 22/07/2009 22:43
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You may find this odd but I really only went to see The Gaslight Anthem, who in time - mark my words - will be massive, and it was a touching seal of approval from the Boss that he should appear with them during their set and to then reciprocate by bringing Brian Fallon alongside for "No Surrender". I was really moved by that. As for the Boss.......absolutely brilliant....he had the crowd eating out of his hand and we were enthusiastic diners....me included. But The Gaslight Anthem did a good gig too!
- Alistair, London, 22/07/2009 22:43
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