Review: Bruce Springsteen

Above: Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt at Sprint Center on Sunday. Photo by Allison Long/The Star

About a dozen songs into a show that would go on for hours, Bruce Springsteen advised his crowd: "This is the last night of the tour. Anything can happen."

What happened was pretty typical, though. He played nearly 30 songs and delivered many moments of joy and transcendence, including an encore for the ages, during a show that lasted about three hours and 10 minutes without a significant pause. His endurance is still amazing.

By the time he finally hit the stage at the Sprint Center -- 8:50 p.m. -- the crowd of about 16,000 was on the verge of ravenous impatience. He gave them two relatively obscure openers, "Ricky Wants a Man of Her Own" and "Cynthia," which got warm responses.

Then he raised the heat dramatically by pulling out material everyone knew: "Radio Nowhere," "No Surrender" and "Out in the Street," which prompted the first big sing-along. Then he and the band played the intro to "Hungry Heart" and stood back and listened to the crowd roar back the first verse and chorus.

From where I was standing (by the mixing board) the sound was bad for the first several songs -- trebly and muddy. It seemed to improve gradually as the show went on. Either that or I adjusted to the muddy vocals.

As he has done in other stops on this tour, Springsteen took a few requests via signs brought in by his fans: "Cadillac Ranch" was one (great to hear that one); so was "Working on a Highway."

The oddest request produced one of the lighter moments of the night. Someone brought in a sign that said, "Let Max sing." So Springsteen turned the microphone over to his drummer, Max Weinberg, who gamely sang a few bars of the Shirelles' hit "Boys."

After that, Springsteen gave his violinist, Soozie Tyrell, some spotlight. She joined him for a cover of the Stones'  version of  Bobby & Shirley Womack's "It's All Over Now." [tks. Mike Webber] Then came one of the evening's best moments (for me): a hellacious version of "Candy's Room."

I liked most of the setlist, even (or especially) the songs that seemed to disinterest some of the people around me, like the grimy-blues version of "Youngstown" and the solo/acoustic reading of "Devils & Dust" (though I'll admit neither is a great arena song). But he has no trouble rejuvenating the place from a perceived lull, so he played "The Promised Land" after "Youngstown" and it got a huge response. And he played "The Rising" after after "Devils" and the place went nuts all over again.

He ended his first set with a bristling version of "Badlands" that the crowd would not let him finish. It was the perfect setup for a  mind-blowing encore that started with a dedication to the late Danny Federici and a lovely version of "Fourth of July Asbury Park (Sandy)."

Then he hauled out the heavy artillery. The Sprint Center isn't even a year old, but it has seen its fair share of roof-rattling moments. None has matched his one-two-three punch -- with the lights turned up -- of "10th Avenue Freeze-Out," "Born to Run" and "Rosalita." He could have ended there, but he had more ammo to unleash. After warming the crowd up for this weekend's Irish Fest with "American Land," he took another request, of sorts.

He segued from a cover of "Save the Last Dance" into "Dancing in the Dark." He relived the video's Courtney Cox moment by pulling a girl who looked like she was about 9 years old (and who had been holding a "Save the Last Dance" sign) on stage. She and he did this funky little shuffle together, then she sprang into a perfect cartwheel. Bruce responded by doing some kind of goofy somer-flop. Then he carried her in his arms back to the edge of the stage, kissed her cheek and returned her to the crowd. It was pretty adorable.

He ended with "Rockin' All Over the World," another song that celebrates rock and roll as a diversion or a means of escape: "We're goin' crazy and we're goin' today." By the time he was done, though, Sunday night was about to become Monday morning, and it was time to return from his wild world to reality, sanity and another work week. The escape sure was fun while it lasted.

| Timothy Finn, The Star 

Setlist: Ricky Wants A Man of Her Own, Cynthia, Radio Nowhere, No Surrender, Out In the Street, Hungry Heart, Spirit in the Night, Boys (Max),  Cadillac Ranch, Working on a Highway, It's All Over Now, Candy's Room, Gypsy Biker, Youngstown, The Promised Land, Living in the Future, Mary's Place, Devils and Dust, The Rising, Last to Die, Long Walk Home, Badlands. Encore: Fourth of July Asbury Park (Sandy), 10th Avenue Freeze-Out, Born to Run, Rosalita, American Land, Save the Last Dance/Dancing in the Dark, Rockin' All Over the World.

Comments

[Karen Eisenbraun]

It went on for 3 hrs.!!

[Elaine Pedersen]

3 hrs~!!

[Kevin]

Stated at least 1:40 minutes late on a Sunday night. People have to get to work the next morning. There was a line at the box office at 9:10 with people wanting their money refunded. The Sprint center ticket manager threatened to have people removed from the premises.

[pellboy]

Incredible! The Boss NEVER disappoints. Thanks for keeping me out late.

[RedStar5]

Bruce cranked! My 15 year-old's first show, and one for the ages. She nor I could talk afterwards, our throats wasted after 3+ hours of singing.

The set list was fantastic! The new song additions, and covers, were great. Could have wished one more song, but hey, you gotta have a reason to believe. He'll be back.

If there's any sorrow, it's that this is probably Clarence's last tour. He can't even stand the whole show anymore and is moving really slow. At one point, he was sitting in a dark corner, out of the view of the crowd. Sorry Big Man, hope the load gets lighter.

Sprint Center, blast a new friggin' door to the place. Kemper has it blown away in terms of access. You walked to the doors, waited 5 - 10 and you were in. We've been to 7 concerts now and the 20 - 30 minute wait outside is foolish. Who designed this?

For those who think the show started too late, you must have been one of the geriatrics in my section. Please stay home the next time. If you can't still stand for the man, watching the Olympics is probably more your style.

Bruce is still rock and roll! I feel like I'm the teenager I used to be every time I see him. And that was decades ago. Keep rockin' old man!

[sleepy]

any idea why Patty was not there?

[Brucefan10]

I find it hard to believe there was a line of people wanting their money back because he started late. Anyone who's ever been to a concert knows they never start on time. The Boss was well worth the wait and gave an amazing performance that I'll never forget!

[Tim Finn]

Clarence is almost 67, but, yes, he is looking frail.

[pellboy]

Clarence seemingly had way more energy than he did in Omaha back in March. He sat in his throne for large portions of that show. And yes, Sprint Center access is lame but whining about the late start is even lamer. Who are these people? I was in my bed by 12:30. Big deal.

[Gary Dean]

Concerts usually do start late
but I don't understand why the ticket said 7:30 it should of said 8:00 - 8:30

Clarence is almost 67 ? I did see from the nosebleed section, after every solo he would shuffle back to his spot in no hurry.

I did wish bruce would of played the song Kansas city like last time, THAT raised the roof.

It was very cool turning on all the light for 3 songs though.

[smartman]

Tim, why don't you ask someone at the SC their opinion on why the building has terrible acoustics...allegedly. We were promised a state of the art arena. Regardless of the shape and size there is no reason some money couldn't have been spent on acoustical treatment(s) to tighten the building up. With the type of acts playing at the SC you can't blame everything on the sound systems or sound mixers. When you fork over $100.00 + per ticket you shouldn't have to suffer through hours of bad audio.

[Alice Gallagher]

I'm not sure what concert you were at but I was at the concert that started 1hour and 45 minutes late. Sorry Bruce is no prima donna and I was very disappointed in his "screeching performance."

[Deb Krieger]

Saw Bruce twice in Philly when we lived on the east coast - was worried that his show AND the crowds in the mid-west wouldn't live up to the excitement and showmanship we're used to ... we were jazzed to see the crowd so engaged (although somewhat less than the east coast crowds and some were simply sitting!! Unbelievable) and the setlist as terrific as back east. Disappointed in the arena and the sound though. What a shame. Rock on Bruce - you da man.

[Rosie]

I have never been to see Bruce when he starts 1.5 hours late. No excuses Bruce. He didn't show up to the arena until after 6:00. I saw the band enter the gate. I have been a Bruce fan since 1970's and will remain. He sings about the working class, he grew up that way, and needs to get back to his roots, and respect that we are mostly working class that paid to see E Street. Just revise the time on the tickets. He would generally start 1/2 to 45 min. late, 1.5 is pushing it Bruce. Will I see him again, 13th time and running? you bet!

[Matt]

What a great show.

The wait...was worth every last minute. The E-Street Band is a freaking bulldozer rolling on railroad tracks. This was my first time seeing The Boss, and I hope it's not my last. Badlands and Candy's Room were my highlights.

If Dave Grohl ages like Bruce Springsteen, I can't wait to see the Foo Fighters 15 years from now.

I didn't think Grohl's energy could be matched, but I was wrong. Springsteen is a machine.

[Little Stevie from Minneapolis]

WOW. What a show. KC - you've got a great venue, but someone needs to fix the sound. This is the 4th show I've seen on this tour, you folks need to get after the Sprint Center to improve the acoustics in a big way.

Even with the sound, you were treated to the best show I've seen on the tour - hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Thanks for the hospitality!

[kcrunner]

No, the vocals were "muddy." You and others too just adjusted. The quality of the sound (or the acoustics) was terrible. First time at the SC and maybe the last. I just stopped searching for the lyrics and let the throbbing bass be the concert. The encore made up for the delay.

[JimK]

Although I'd heard Bruce normally starts late, one hour and 50 minutes is unacceptable, especially on a Sunday night. People who'd seen him the night before in St. Louis said he started late, but made up for it by playing until 12:30 am! Sprint Center really needs to address the hideously long security lines. And once again, the sound at the Sprint Center was just okay although it did seem to get better during the show. Bruce taking request signs from the crowd was cool! However, I thought there was a big lull in the show with songs only die-hard fans knew. The aisles near us were full of folks making concession and bathroom runs. As expected, "Badlands" and "Born To Run" gave me chills. Oh, but we had to leave during "Dancing In The Dark" to catch the last bus out of the area. I wonder if several folks who stayed for the entire show got stranded and had to take an expensive cab ride home?! Still a great show and Bruce's energy is truly amazing!

[sleepy]

i went in the entrance on the east side of SC and there were 4 people in front of me. the line at the main gate facing P&L was all the way to the street and turned the corner probably well over 100 people deep.

[DeeDee]

I totally agree with Pellboy. Watch the Olympics if you don't want to spend the evening at a concert. Plus at 7:30 at least a third of the seats weren't even filled yet!! The Boss never disappoints. I saw him in NY, Denver, and the QWest Center in Omaha. I hate to be too negative but those screens at Sprint are a joke. The concert in Omaha had more than 2 small screens and they were located in great viewing areas. Last night one man fell, bloodied his head and the seats. It is hard to walk between seats. We had to hold onto a gal so she didn't fall. But The Boss is worth any hardships suffered. Ha!

[Notasoldasithoughtiwas]

It's fun reading in the comments about how the concert was an hour late--no, an hour and a half--no, an hour and fifty--no, he didn't start until early Monday morning.

For the record, the concert started at 8:50. The bartenders across the street and everyone I sat near was expecting the show to start at 8:30. Who goes to a concert and expects the show to start at the time printed on the ticket? Have you people never been to a concert before?

Also, for the record, the concert was mindblowing. The Mary's Place gospel rave up? Yes, yes, yes.

First time at the Sprint center--not a bad seat in the place, but, like some others, a little disappointed in the sound. Muddy is the word, I guess.

[paying attention]

A bit a journalistic inquiry by Tim would have addressed his complaints. The band's plane was delayed from St Louis so there was no time for a sound check. Springsteen is noted for consistently having a long sound check with the entire band. So the first songs were the sound check. And if Tim paid better attention, Bruce was telling the sound engineers what to adjust through several songs.

How does the KC Star find people to cover shows? And Tim why didn't you note Springsteen's introduction to Livin in the Future where he spoke directly to the song's warning, that we are approaching a time when America will no longer be the home of the free with our secret prisons, rendition to prison without charges, government spying into ordinary citizen's personal and business communications and more? Whatsa matter Tim? Ya think Kansas City can't handle it? Or did the Star censor you?

It was a great show, the last of the tour, filled with spontaneity and fun. Nils Lofgren's solo on Youngstown positively ached with the pain and dissonance of the song's story of loss of jobs and subsequent damage to homes, family and community.

[MichaelKC]

I've seen several shows on this tour, so was ready for a delayed start. But starting 80 minutes late was absolutely unacceptable. To me, it simply means that someone values their own time a lot more than they value mine. (And I would put the blame at the foot of Jon Landau, Springsteen's manager. I don't imagine anyone in the band has any idea what the show's official start time is. They simply go on when they're told to go on. It's the band's management that holds it up as long as they do.)

Sound really was awful. The worst I've heard at the several Sprint shows I've seen. And, by far, the worst I've heard at the arena shows I've been to on the Magic tour.

All that said, awesome setlist. Awesome energy from the band. Had an absolute blast.

[Ken K.]

I bought "best available" tickets to a show with a 7:30pm start time. I paid over $400.00 to stand for 1:45 before I ever heard a song? That was ridiculous. First of all, no where on my ticket did it say that we would not be given seats to sit in while we waited for the show to start. Then, it starts 1:20 minutes late??? And, on a Sunday night??? That was sheer stupidity and either shows the Sprint Center doesn't know how to get backsides in seats, or Bruce doesn't care about his fans.

[Concertgoer]

Yet another prima donna that cares nothing for anyone elses' time - making a crowd wait over an hour and a half? Pretty high estimation of oneself and really just plain rudeness. It's not a matter of being old or needing to get up the next day. If you are supposed to take the stage at 7:30 according to the ticket, everyone knows concerts start late, ie. 30 minutes after the printed time. Starting closer to 9:00 is ridiculous. I'm sure the SC doesn't care - in fact they likely knew the start time and printed 7:30 because that way they have a captive audience for at least 2 hours prior to the show to do what else but buy concessions. Shame on SC - horrible access, misleading tickets, and unacceptable acoustics.

[Steve]

I don't even like the guy, but he is an icon. I know that wanting a refund because he took the stage late is laughable.

[Ken K.]

Hey notasoldasithoughtiwas....who expects to go to a concert listed as 7:30 and expects it to start at that time? I do. If they're going to start 1:20 late, then provide a opening act...and some chairs to sit in. I went to the Tim McGraw show and the Brad Paisley show, and they both started at the published time....exactly.

[Church Lady]

We saw Kathy Griffin at Starlight on Friday night. The tickets said 7:30 and she was on the stage about 15 minutes later. The acoustics were far superior there than at Sprint. Nonetheless, he's not called "the Boss" for nothin'!

[elm]

I am all for fun and starting a little late, but a hour and a half is not cool. All they had to do is come out and say they had a 'glitch' and would be starting late. some people had baby sitters and when it says starts at 7:30 we should at least be close to that time. The sound was HORRIBLE. Very disappointed, even when I knew every word I couldn't understand one thing he sang much less understand what he was saying when talking to the crowd. Then they closed a lot of the concessions just 15 minutes into the show. Sprint center disappoints. The Tom Petty concert was a little better, but still pretty bad sound. Hope this improves. Kansas City needs this place to succeed and most have been very supportive of The Power and Light district so at least give us a good place for concerts when we spend $20 for parking and $100 dollars for tickets!!!

[Boss Fan]

This was the 4th Bruce and the E Street Band concert I've attended and it was the best one I've seen. Sure he started late but so what, they played pretty much non stop for 3 fricking hours! Great interaction with the fans and a great song list. No major complaints about the sound in the Sprint Center or the Center itself. Bruce gave the Center some compliments at the end of the show. A note for future reference - if you ever get to another Bruce and the E Street Band concert, you stand through the show, sing along, clap your hands, stomp your feet and dance with the music. You don't go to sit on your ass and pout that you can't see the stage. It's a revival and you need to allow yourself to get swept up in the fervor. If not, stay home at the nursing center and watch reruns of Lawrence Welk. Rock on Bruce!!

[G Young]

I think it is pretty obvious why he didn't start until 8:50.

He's a big Joe Posnanski fan!

[Dirt Dobber]

This was my first Bruce Springsteen show. Why did I wait so long? Thanks for a great show.

Both Bruce and the E Street Band put on the best concert I have ever seen. What energy from those guys. None stop action from the beginning.

[Steven]

I have never been to a Springsteen concert that started even close to on time. Every one of them has been at LEAST an hour late, and every one of them has been worth every minute I spent waiting for the show to begin.

Last night was no exception.

It was very nearly the perfect setlist (in a perfect world I would have switched out Dancing in the Dark for Jungleland) and Bruce really seemed to be having more fun than at any other show I have seen.

The acoustics were not particularly good, but when you are singing along to every word I guess you don't notice it as much.

My only complaint was the crowd in the upper deck. My wife is vertically challenged so when we got tickets we went for close to the front in the upper deck to limit the number of people in front of her.

We ended up in the second row of the uppers near the stage, which was perfect.

They guy behind us kept trying physically push back down into my seat, and I kept telling him if he could set down during that setlist he didn't deserve to see the show.

I kept wanting to set down for a few songs so he would shut up, but the opportunity didn't present itself until we were 11 songs in, then it was down for one and right back up for Candy's Room.

That might have been the most fun first 10 songs I have ever seen at a concert.

[S]

Sound was good to great where I sitting. I was a bit irritated by the start time due to no opening act, but all was forgiven by the end of the night!

[Maureen Reiter]

Wow...had the cheap seats behind the stage...actually had the greatest time...never sat down..what a playlist...we stayed in the P&L til about 8:30, walked right into the SC, and didn't have to wait at all..I thought concerts always started slow and late..chill out KC..its the boss

[David]

I had mixed reactions. I feel REALLY old with some of my complaints. Part of the concert experience, for me, is having a few hours to get away from my everyday life. Well, with the show starting so late, we had to constantly check our watches because we had to get back home so we could get the babysitter home on time. My wife ended up leaving at the encore (the best part of the show). I know I shouldn't think of 7:30 as a fixed time, but 8:45 is Axl Rose late. So, I loved the set list, thought the last hour was killer, but the overall experience was lessened because my wife had to leave (I took a cab home), and I never felt I was able to escape. Too bad.

[RJ]

I saw him Sat. night in St.louis and went to the Cards game sunday and spotted him in the box seats near the Cards duggout. He's a friend of LaRussa, you know...probably why they were late getting to KC.

[Granimal]

"The Power and Light district so at least give us a good place for concerts when we spend $20 for parking and $100 dollars for tickets!!!"

You can park in the H&R Block garage (directly across the steet from P&L for $2....all the time.

He played for 3+ hours, quit whining about having to wait 80 minutes for the best concert experience in the world.

[Ken]

I saw the show in St Louis on Saturday night (which, by the way, also started at 8:50). I'm a huge Springsteen fan, loved the concert, but the sound was TERRIBLE -- muffled, bass heavy. Couldn't make out one word he said. Ruined what otherwise would have been a great concert. So, maybe Sprint Center isn't to blame.

[The Worker]

Sound in the suites was good -- and incredibly loud. What bothered me most about the late start is that Bruce never mentioned it or apologized. That is simply unprofessional and rude. We all have lives outside The Magic Tour.

Last night at SC he was an amazing non-stop (and I am talking about not even PAUSING between songs) turbo force of energy on stage that defies the laws of aging. I saw him last in 1975 and thought he was the most dynamic perfomer of his time. I was correct.

[wadkc]

I love how people mention the "sound was horrible and was 1:20 minutes late" but "it was a great concert". More like hell to me...

[Rachelle]

Absolutely Amazing!! Bruce and E Street play with such passion and energy. Three Hours -- Yes, they still got IT!

[Kilby]

My Lower-Level section near the floor was buzzing about spotting Basketball Coach extraordinaire Pat Riley on the floor. He had a lot of people coming up to him and greeting him, so we were convinced it was him. Did anyone else spot him?? Great show, but after working 12 hours before coming to the show, I wish it would have started a bit earlier, Bruce being the champion of the working man and all. Oh, and Max Weinberg is AWESOME!

[Paul Steinberg]

I also was no impressed with the late start. I felt if Bruce was late arriving, an announcement by sprint would have been nice. Too many wondering if there was a technical dificulty that would have the show canelled. Also, although I thouroghly enjoyed Bruce and the band (and the audience) visually, I was very disappointed in the sound. Awful.

[RSB]

Broooooooooooooooooooce!!!!!

[Rock Fan]

Yeah, it sure would have been nice if he had said why he was so late as before this tour he always started on time, or pretty close.

By the time he came on stage and sang though he disappointed this long time fan and company with the terrible, over modulated crappy sound! Yeah Sprint Center was choking everyone's chain about refunds as I called the number they gave me this morning and the lady said no refunds and basically Sprint Center doesn't give a crap that they have two doors open for people to stand in line for 45 mins. just to get in the place (hence the bare seats at 7:30!We got there at 7pm and finally entered at 7:45! Ridiculous!). The sound was much better at his last stop here at Kemper and we didn't wait all night long to get into the building.....very disappointed...Sprint Center is saying they are not responsible for the sound as well, so guess where I won't be spending any more money......

[Zod]

What is it about the Sprint Center that brings out all the whiners? Shows start late. Big deal.

[Shocko]

It was a great show! The three song stretch of Radio Nowhere, No Surrender, and Out in the Streets left me breathless and exhausted. But Candy's Room was the highlight.

The sound was half-assed at best. SC has some issues there that, hopefully, will be figured out. I have a messed up knee and requested a place where I could stretch out and the staff responded with awesome seats. Good customer service.

Thanks for the shout out about the Irish Fest, Tim. See you next weekend. Sorry you have to cover the Idol shows.

www.kcirishfest.com

[Rock Fan]

You obviously were not there ZOD, it would have been fine being late if one could hear the songs, but they were muffled. The high school band sounds better than the show did last night, just very disappointing...

[brucefan?]

I have been to plenty of concerts -- back in the day, it was "acceptable", even expected to start late, but in recent years, as the demographic with the type of disposable income necessary to see high priced concerts grew older, I have come to expect concerts to start on time. I noticed the crew taping the set list to the floor at 8:30 -- no excuse for that.

Springsteen is a showman, no doubt, but I grew tired quickly of his "ability" to take a five minute song and stretch it to 15, playing a mindless refrain over and over and over again. A three hour plus show is fine, if it's three hours of good music. What made it all the more frustrating was that there were a number of hits he left off ("Born in the USA" comes to mind), that I would have rather heard in that three hours, instead of the 8th refrain of some obscure tune.