REVIEW: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band rock Kansas City, MO!
I have to first start off by saying thanks to JoAnn Groves (@joannkc) for being a great hostess, thanks Backstreeters for the great pre-party and most importantly, of course, thanks to Bruce Springsteen and the booty shaking, earth quaking, history making, legendary E-Street Band for giving me memories on this tour that will last me a lifetime.
Standing in line waiting to get into the Sprint Center, I was surrounded mostly by casual fans that obviously weren’t aware that the show never starts at 7:30 and were in panic to get into the building. Took the opportunity to tell a few that they didn’t have to worry as he probably wouldn’t start til 8:15/8:30 anyway.
As we settled into our Section 109, Row 12 aisle seats (pretty much to the side of the stage – Charlie’s side), a lovely redneck couple sat behind us, she with her 5” stilettos resting on the arm of my chair, constantly kicking me, and he already 3 sheets to the wind. Oh joy! Thankfully a few minutes later two guys came to claim their seats, where the aforementioned redneck couple were sitting and they moved a couple of seats down the row. They whined constantly about “starting the show already” and at one point Ms. Redneck 2008 threatened to pepper spray anyone who stood up in front of her. Alrighty then! (Needless to say, nobody listened to her.) ;-)
All that was soon forgotten however as the lights lowered and the calliope music started playing. Got chills as the band took the stage and knew at the first strains of Ricky Wants a Man of Her Own that this show would be something special. Cynthia was one of the songs I wanted to hear and I got it, along with Out in the Street and Hungry Heart. From crowd surfing, knee sliding and somersaulting (okay, okay, *rolling*), Springsteen never ceases to amaze me, which is why I believe he still has much much more to show us in the years to come.
Sign requests were next and while I enjoyed seeing it, I have to agree with those that say that some of the selections apparently chosen from that might have caused a bit of a disconnect, but I *love* the looseness that this part of the show brings and for that reason, I hope we continue to see more sign requests in the future. Seeing the mighty mighty Max Weinberg sing, by request, was hilarious and fun all at the same time, and only goes to show that a little spontaneity goes a long way in making an amazing set list, even more so. Suzie belted out It’s All Over Now and I have to give her props; I had never heard her sing with that much oomph before, just mostly melodic background vocals – so, to me, it was a pleasant surprise.
And then Candy’s Room. Oh my God! I scrambled to call my friend Lisa in New Jersey so she could listen in and I missed the very beginning of the song on video; hopefully the video that I did get though, thanks to JoAnn taking my camera, will capture some of the intensity of that performance.
I was thrilled that Gypsy Biker made it back into the set – truly a haunting song that is one of my favourites from the Magic album. Sadly, it was midway during Youngstown that security busted me for taking photos so I had to go deal with that little annoyance ;-) (they told me they would appreciate if I would point out others taking photos to which I said “uh, ya, no”). I just wanted to check my camera in quickly and managed to make it back in time to see most of The Promised Land. After Livin’ in the Future and Mary’s Place came Devils & Dust. I took the opportunity to sit just for this song, which gave me a chance to really listen to it - it was extraordinary. After Last to Die, Long Walk Home and a kickass version of Badlands (isn’t it always?), came for me, the highlight of the show and one of the most emotional parts of the show – 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy). For Bruce’s heartfelt tribute to Danny Federici and for the obvious emotion that Bruce and the band were feeling throughout the song all the way to the final note, I can only say I was awestruck. It touched me in a way that while I wasn’t surprised at the emotion, really brought home exactly what was lost when Danny passed away. The tears welled up and for a split second it almost seemed intrusive to be there. But I’m so glad I was. Thankfully, Sandy was followed up with a raucous 10th Avenue Freeze Out that pretty much shot my voice to hell but which also helped to remind me that while Danny might be gone, he’ll never be forgotten and regardless of if the E-Street Band tours in the future or not, I am grateful for having witnessed them perform over the last 24 years (for me anyway).
House lights went on and Born to Run, Rosalita and American Land were as fun to hear and sing along to as they were during previous shows. Maybe it was because I no longer had the camera to fiddle with but the intensity and sheer joy that these 3 songs brought to the set were even more intense then what I remember at Giants 3.
But then to hear Save the Last Dance for Me, Dancing in the Dark and Rockin’ All Over the World – I couldn’t quite believe it. I silently chided those that left early during American land, and while I understand having to be on the road, or having to get to work the next day, well, there was no way I was going to miss the ending to this.
The other two truly emotional moments for me were first, after the band introductions, the thank you signs that were held up by members of Backstreets. Bruce and the band seemed genuinely taken aback by them and Bruce showed his appreciation by grabbing one of the signs and displaying it quite urgently to the video camera operators. He thanked everyone for supporting the band over the years and for supporting the tour as well as all the folks who made contributions to the various local KC charities and to Danny’s Memorial fund. He also took a moment to thank the band and the “E Street Nation”. ;-) Finally, when all was said and done, after the last note was played and the band had exited the stage, Bruce came back up the stairs, stood for a few seconds for that one last look and gave one last wave goodbye.
I certainly have a few favourite songs that I wish they had played. But instead of dwelling on what wasn’t played in Kansas City, I just sat back and started to appreciate what was. No tour was more aptly named – it was simply “Magic”. I fulfilled a longtime dream of seeing him perform at Giants Stadium in New Jersey and I got to see an emotional sendoff to a tour that only leaves me wanting more. And from where I sit, that’s a pretty good place to be. Here’s to “Livin’ in the Future”!
Click here to see my KC concert photos
And here are my videos (all of which have the option to watch in high quality):
Compilation of songs: No Surrender, Spirit in the Night, Sign Collection, Devils & Dust, Save the Last Dance for Me and Dancing in the Dark. (Video taken by JoAnn on her camera and edited by me.)
Cheers,
Sly
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