Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band in Vancouver, B.C.

I’m still excited about seeing Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band in concert on Monday night at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. It was a big treat to myself and at some expense to go, but of course in the end it was totally worth it.

I’ve been a fan since probably the “Born to Run” album in 1975 and have seen him numerous times over his long career; the first time being in 1981 at the L.A. Forum. A friend of mine urged me to go this time saying you never know how much longer the E Street Band will be touring. So with that thought in mind I had to go, and of course I wasn’t disappointed. It was just so excellent a show, I don’t know where to begin.

Bruce played songs off of every album and kept his set list spontaneous and fresh, often taking requests from signs in the audience. He has always mingled with his fans and let people participate, but this time it was more than ever. He used a stage that went far into and around the floor to sing and dance and get people into it. He even crowd-surfed all the way back to the main stage at one point, which isn’t bad for a 63-year-old.

I still don’t know how he does it all. The energy, the songs, the passion! He plays nonstop for hours and is in his element every step of the way. I don’t think he’s ever let a fan down. Maybe he didn’t play “Atlantic City” or “The River” or “Born in the USA,” but he plays so many great songs that you’re blown away more than you could ever know.

If I try to think of a personal highlight to the show, there’s almost too many to single out. Was it when he pulled an 80-year-old onstage to dance with him during “Dancing in the Dark”? Or was it when a young girl in the audience sang with him on “Waitin’ on a Sunny Day”? Or was it the touching tribute he gave to deceased band members Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici? Or was it when he sang “Racing in the Street,” “Because the Night,” or his signature song “Born to Run”? Or was it any of the rest of his fantastic songs? I was pretty thrilled during the whole three plus hours, a tingling bunch of adrenaline dancing to every moment.

I didn’t even have a ticket before the show but wound up scalping and got a close seat diagonal to the stage. It was amazing. I could see the Man so closely, his face, his expressions, his sweat, the band. He seemed to be having a total ball, as was I. So if you get a chance to see the E Street Band even these days, don’t pass it up, even if it’s out of town. He plays a fair share of both the new and the old. So it’s just right. And the band is as good as ever, with special recognition to Mighty Max on the drums for putting it all on the line and to Jake Clemons for playing the sax just like his dad used to. Below are the songs Bruce sang in order – if you can handle them.

Set list:

Shackled and Drawn
Out in the Street
Hungry Heart
We Take Care of Our Own
Wrecking Ball
Death to My Hometown
My City of Ruins
Spirit in the Night
Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street?
Red Headed Woman
Streets of Fire
Because the Night
She’s the One
Cover Me
Darlington County
Waitin’ on a Sunny Day
Raise Your Hand
The Rising
Badlands
Land of Hope and Dreams
* * *
Racing in the Street
Radio Nowhere
Born to Run
Dancing in the Dark
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out