Greetings from MetLife: Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band rock New Jersey
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Summertime is the right time to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in New Jersey.
The Boss and company began their three-night stand at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Wednesday, Aug. 30 with uplifting, rocking, partying and at times poignant performance.
“Hello, New Jersey!” said the Boss when he came on stage. “Glad to be with my people!”
A few summer surprises were in order, including the tour debut of “Sherry Darling.”
“Here's a little summer beach music for you!” said Springsteen before the song's countdown.
Springsteen even performed a hula dance to Steven Van Zandt's twangy guitar solo during the song. The place was rollicking.
The show was the first in seven years for the E Street Band at MetLife, and they brought their A-game.
Springsteen is a frontman without match. He wore a black short-sleeve dressed shirt with a popped up collar, and was in strong voice and form throughout the night. The 18-member band is singular for its expanse of sound and skill. Right off the bat, violinist Soozie Tyrell, saxophonist Jake Clemons, and guitarist Nils Lofgren jumped in on the middle eight of “Lonesome Day,” the show opener, demonstrating a musical expertise you just don't readily see on big concert stages.
We can go on, from bassist Garry Tallent powering a fearsome performance of “Night” to backup singer Curtis King's vocal trills on “Nightshift.” It's a big band with big talent. Even Springsteen guitar tech Kevin Buell received two rounds of applause, one for a guitar sound check before the show and another when he caught a guitar the Boss chucked at him.
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The sounds was crisp except for a little feedback on Springsteen's mic toward the end of the show. The staging included two big video screens on each side of the stage, and one behind the band. The visuals, like the sound, were crisp, and especially entertaining were the fans in front of the general admission pit. Lots of Springsteen devotees known as the Spring-Nuts, a few cute kids and one woman dressed like Little Orphan Annie were among the faithful.
Van Zandt took over a stage camera later in the show during “Glory Days.” He focused in on Springsteen's backside.
The nexus of the show is based on the 2020 album “Letter to You,” which looks to mortality and its motivational properties. Springsteen spoke of the passing of George Theiss of Freehold, his friend and bandmate from the '60s era Freehold band the Castiles.
“At 15, it's all hellos. Later on, it's a lot more hard good-byes,” said Springsteen while introducing “Last Man Standing.” “George's death made me realize how important living every moment is and seizing the day is. So be good to yourself and be good to those who you love and this world we live in.”
Later in the show, there was a surprise in the sky. The Super Blue Moon rose over the Meadowlands. It was shown on the stage's video screens. During “Badlands” toward the end of the evening, Springsteen looked skyward, either at the crowd in the upper level, or at the moon rising over the opposite endzone.
An otherworldly moment on a magical night.
Springsteen and the E Street Band return Friday, Sept. 1; and Sunday, Sept. 3 to MetLife.
Springsteen and E Street Band MetLife setlist
Lonesome Day
Night
No Surrender
Ghosts
Prove It All Night
Letter to You
The Promised Land
Out in the Street
Sherry Darling
Kitty's Back
Nightshift
Atlantic City
Johnny 99
Mary's Place
Last Man Standing
Backstreets
Because the Night
She's the One
Wrecking Ball
The Rising
Badlands
Thunder Road
Born to Run
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Glory Days
Dancing in the Dark
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
I'll See You in My Dreams
Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bruce Springsteen concert at MetLife Stadium was a magical night