Setlists: 2003 (Feb-Oct)

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October 4 / Flushing, NY / Shea Stadium
Notes: For "the last dance," even the elements were on our side. The all-day drizzle stopped just in time for the show, and while Bruce later knocked on the wood of his acoustic, hoping the skies would hold, we'd already stopped the rain. "Code of Silence" opened the show, another Grushecky co-write last played in Pittsburgh. "Roulette," "Johnny 99," "Tunnel," and "Another Thin Line" came back; a stunning "I Wish I Were Blind" had its E Street Band debut, a beautiful full-band electric performance that we wish had appeared before the final show... other tour premieres were "Back in Your Arms" and, opening the encores, the return of the Reunion tour staple, "Light of Day." A 30-song blowout (previously, the longest Rising show had been 27 songs) that lasted nearly 3 hours and 20 minutes, this final show was one that may have had emotions running high, but Bruce seemed committed to keeping things loose and fun. "Welcome to the Last Dance," he said before "Waitin' on a Sunny Day." "I'm getting a little misty here right about now... Steve, cheer me up!" And he was chattier than usual, leading into "Back in Your Arms" with some audience banter: "Ladies, have you ever felt taken for granted?" But Bruce saved his speechifiyin' for the biggest surprise of the night, as a fellow legend came out to share the stage for "Highway 61 Revisited." Bruce told the crowd, "We have my great friend and inspiration with us tonight, Mr. Bob Dylan... we wouldn't be here tonight without him." The resulting performance was rough and ramshackle, best in theory, but it was clearly a meaningful moment for Springsteen. Introducing "Land of Hope and Dreams" a couple of songs later, he continued talking about Dylan as an artist "who was willing to stand in the fire... he made me think big thoughts... got me thinking about the world outside my little town. I don't know if great men make history or if history makes great men, but I know Bob's one of the greatest. Now and forever. I dedicate this one to him tonight, and thank him for gracing my stage... when I wrote this one I was doing my best to follow in his footsteps." And after his call for vigilance, and stressing the notion that the search for the truth is "the American Way": "And I learned that from Bob Dylan. This is 'Land of Hope and Dreams.'" After the historical summit, the show became about celebration. "Rosie, I'm home!" Willie Nile and Jon Landau returned for "Dancing," Bonds returned this time with Garland Jeffreys for the tour debut of the chestnut "Quarter to Three" along with "Twist and Shout." And that takes us to song 29. Song 30, the last song of the night? History repeats itself, with the first performance of "Blood Brothers" since Bruce and the E Streeters closed the Reunion tour with the same. All guests left the stage before this one, leaving just the E Street Band that has brought us the power, hour after hour, night after night, over the last 14 months. Springsteen seemed to be holding it together, but there were tears streaming down Clarence's face. Once again, Bruce brought bandmembers front and center to hold hands for the extra verse. It's a good night for a ride, and with that, the Rising tour rides off into the sunset. "The past four or five years have been some of the most fun and exciting of my life," Bruce told the crowd, "Thanks for sharing them with us."
Setlist: Code of Silence/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Roulette/Night/I Wish I Were Blind/Empty Sky/You're Missing/ Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Johnny 99/Another Thin Line/Tunnel of Love/Because the Night/Badlands/Prove It All Night/Mary's Place/Back in Your Arms/Into the Fire
First Encore: Light of Day/Bobby Jean/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: Highway 61 Revisited/My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark/Quarter to Three/Twist and Shout/Blood Brothers

October 3 / Flushing, NY / Shea Stadium
Notes: For the penultimate concert of the tour, Springsteen pulls out some big guns: a mighty "Roulette" to open, and a beautiful "New York City Serenade," with Garry on stand-up bass, to warm up a chilly night at Shea. Both were tour premieres, as were "Rendezvous" and "Another Thin Line" (an unreleased song co-written with Joe Grushecky, debuted at the end of the Reunion tour, and a strong contender for Essential disc 3). "Souls of the Departed" again included the "57 Channels"-style "mass destruction" sound-bite intro, and while Night 2 was less overtly political than Night 1, the show did include a quick guest spot from Al Franken during the band intros, as an alternate "Big Man." A wild setlist and powerful performance all around, though those hoping for songs written after 1979 might not have been as thrilled with "That '70s Show" (as one fan called it) until the encores, when a rollicking "Pink Cadillac" followed "Janey Don't You Lose Heart." Introducing "My City of Ruins," Springsteen thanked fans for their support, and called it the "best year we've ever had, really." Guests galore joined in during the second encore, including Mets pitcher (and big Bruce fan) Al Leiter on tambourine for "Rosalita"; Jon Landau and Willie Nile, both on guitar, for "Dancing in the Dark"; and a full stage with the addition of Gary U.S. Bonds for a bonus show-closing "Twist and Shout."
Setlist: Roulette/Candy's Room/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/Brilliant Disguise/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Rendezvous/Another Thin Line/Souls of the Departed/Because the Night/Badlands/Prove It All Night/Mary's Place/New York City Serenade/Into the Fire
First Encore: Janey Don't You Lose Heart/Pink Cadillac/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark/Twist and Shout

October 1 / Flushing, NY / Shea Stadium
Notes: Night one. Beatles Schmeatles, the main set opens with "Souls of the Departed" (complete with a new "WMD" Dubya sound-bite intro) and closes with "Who'll Stop the Rain." Add the return of the full-band "Born in the U.S.A." in the encores, and you've got a powerhouse political show with current world events at the fore more than any British Invasion. Two tour premieres tonight: we finally get deeper into Nebraska with a full-band "Johnny 99" (last played by Bruce on the Tom Joad tour in '97), and "Man's Job" has its E Street Band debut, Bruce's first airing of the song in more than ten years. "Night" (replacing the setlisted "Roulette"), "Tunnel," and "Brilliant Disguise" all turn up, and Bruce doesn't shy away from "American Skin" upon returning to New York. In the encores, "Kitty's Back" is tonight's serenade from the second record.
Setlist: Souls of the Departed/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Night/Tunnel of Love/Brilliant Disguise/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Johnny 99/Man's Job/The Fuse/Because the Night/Badlands/No Surrender/Mary's Place/American Skin (41 Shots)/Into the Fire/Who'll Stop the Rain
First Encore: Kitty's Back/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

September 27 / Milwaukee, WI / Miller Park
Notes: "Are you loose?" Yep, we're back in Milwaukee, as if you couldn't tell from Danny and Roy's cheeseheads. "Candy's Room" opens the show, with interesting combos along the way like "My Love Will Not Let You Down" into "Brilliant Disguise," and "Bobby Jean" into "Kitty's Back." Plus "The Fuse," "Two Hearts," "Across the Border," and "Who'll Stop the Rain" (the latter less of a concern, thanks to the new Miller Park's retractable roof). For a true local special, Danny strapped on his accordion as Bruce called out the key of "C" for "Beer Barrel Polka," telling the home of the Brewers, "We've always got something to fall back on" as a wedding band. And as a post-"Dancing" bonus, "Cadillac Ranch" rocked this Wisconsin night one more time.
Setlist: Candy's Room/The Rising/Lonesome Day/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Brilliant Disguise/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Beer Barrel Polka/Two Hearts/Who'll Stop the Rain/The Fuse/Because the Night/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Across the Border/Jungleland/Into the Fire
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Kitty's Back/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark/Cadillac Ranch

September 25 / Denver, CO / Invesco Field at Mile High
Notes: Mile-high and half-full, but a packed setlist for Invesco Field: 27 songs in all, and 20 in the main set. Denver gets a namecheck and a tour premiere right out of the gate as Bob Seger's "Get Out of Denver" starts the show. Like "Seven Nights to Rock," Springsteen had covered the song at the RCDS Benefits at the Stone Pony, but this is the E Street Band debut. A very welcome return appearance of the '87 double-shot "Tunnel of Love" and "Brilliant Disguise" — and speaking of welcome returns, Kitty comes back down the alley for the first encore. Also in the set: "Leap of Faith," "Night," "Because the Night," and "Across the Border." Rising producer Brendan O'Brien plays guitar on "Rosalita."
Setlist: Get Out of Denver/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Leap of Faith/Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Tunnel of Love/Brilliant Disguise/Because the Night/Badlands/No Surrender/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/Across the Border/Into the Fire/The Promised Land
First Encore: Kitty's Back/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

September 21 / Detroit, MI / Comerica Park
Notes: Who knows what inspired Bruce's sudden recollection that he wrote songs after 1984... but we like it. The E Street Treatment of '92 material continues with "Souls of the Departed" to open and the E Street premieres of "Local Hero" and "My Beautiful Reward." And don't forget the Motor City: she got a namecheck during "Mary's Place" with a snippet of "Dancing in the Street," but the real treat came during the six-song first encore when one of Detroit's own took the stage. Sorry, not Eminem, but Motown alum Martha Reeves, of Martha and the Vandellas, for "Heat Wave." Strangely, no "Detroit Medley" tonight. At the end of the show, Clarence and Steve help lead the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to Bruce, who turns 54 on Tuesday.
Setlist: Souls of the Departed/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Local Hero/Because the Night/Badlands/No Surrender/Mary's Place/Jungleland/Into the Fire/My Beautiful Reward
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Heat Wave (with Martha Reeves)/Glory Days/I'm Goin' Down/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

September 20 / Buffalo, NY / Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Notes: This was not a dark ride — not by a longshot. Though some ticketholders were originally upset by the move from Raph J. Wilson Stadium to Darien Lake, the change of venue brought some real thrills and chills to Buffalo. Appropriately enough for this amusement park stage, the sorely missed "Tunnel of Love" kicked things off, the first performance of the song in 15 years. It was followed by fellow Tunnel tune "Brilliant Disguise," and other latter-day treats like "Leap of Faith" and "Janey" also made the set. While some predicted that "Tunnel" would be perfect for the Buffalo Six Flags setting, no one (and we mean literally no one) predicted the other thrill-ride song of the night: the never-released, never-performed "County Fair." The song, which dates back two decades, has made the rounds in collectors' circles as a treasured studio outtake, but there never seemed to be hope of hearing the song live (much like "This Hard Land" before Bruce rediscovered the song and debuted it in 1993). For some, surely the biggest surprise of the tour; this "County Fair" performance featured Danny on accordion and Soozie on fiddle. Can you say Essential disc three? In the encore, Buffalo native Willie Nile joined in on guitar for "Glory Days."
Setlist: Tunnel of Love/Brilliant Disguise/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Night/Empty Sky/Mansion on the Hill/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Leap of Faith/Because the Night/Badlands/No Surrender/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/County Fair/Into the Fire/Bobby Jean
First Encore: Janey, Don't You Lose Heart/Glory Days/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

September 18 / Hartford, CT / Rentschler Field
Notes: Rentschler Field may have only been 3/4 full for night two, but those who took their chances with Isabel truly got a night to remember. On this windy but rain-free night, the show opens with the tour premiere of "Souls of the Departed" (ask and ye shall receive!). That was joined later by both "Leap of Faith" and "Living Proof," for an astounding triple-shot of great "lost" '90s songs. (Surely a solo-piano "Real World" can't be far behind?) For those who prefer their rarities a bit more vintage, we have an '80s selection of "Janey, Don't You Lose Heart" and "I'm Goin' Down." You have a taste for the '70s? Well, we have the tour premiere of "Factory" (a full-band performance in place of "You're Missing"), "Night," "Because the Night," and a solo-piano "Incident." And those are just the specials. You wanted a Hurricane? Sorry, we're fresh out.
Setlist: Souls of the Departed/Night/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Leap of Faith/Empty Sky/Factory/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Living Proof/Because the Night/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Incident on 57th Street (solo piano)/Thunder Road/Into the Fire
First Encore: Janey, Don't You Lose Heart/I'm Goin' Down/Glory Days/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

September 16 / Hartford, CT / Rentschler Field
Notes: Trying to figure out where and when? Sept. 16 in Connecticut finally brings the tour premiere of "Let's Be Friends," the only song from The Rising that remained to be performed live. It may have been rough around the edges, but nothing that a few more performances wouldn't fix... "The Ghost of Tom Joad" opens this first of two Hartford shows, with both "Human Touch" and the tour premiere of "Leap of Faith" in the main set — Bruce is finally emabracing more of his '90s material again with the E Street Band, and we'd ask what took him so long, but we're too busy digging it. (How about "Souls of the Departed" next?) "Spirit" and "Backstreets" are back, and the body-quaking electric "Born in the U.S.A." stays in as Bruce and the band beat the hurricane, "for now...." And fingers everywhere are crossed.
Setlist: The Ghost of Tom Joad/No Surrender/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Leap of Faith/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Spirit in the Night/Human Touch/She's the One/Badlands/Mary's Place/American Skin (41 Shots)/Backstreets/Into the Fire/The Promised Land
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: Let's Be Friends (Skin to Skin)/My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

September 14 / Chapel Hill, NC / Kenan Stadium
Notes: There were no beer sales at this college football stadium and apparently the insect population was none too pleased. Plenty of big southern bugs were seen dive-bombing the stage leading Bruce to snag one and ask, ?What the hell is this, the school mascot? I thought the mosquitoes in New Jersey were big!? The shows were big there, too, but NJ rarely got ten songs in the encores. Standout moments: ?I Walk the Line? honored Johnny Cash for a second night, the emotional ?American Skin (41 Shots)? made an unlikely appearance following ?Mary?s Place,? and the tour premiere of ?Brilliant Disguise? kicked off the second encore by request. But perhaps the performance of the night came when the very-underrated ?Living Proof? was given its first E Street Band live-with-an-audience workout. This HT/LT-era gem was delivered with the kind of intensity and power that builds up after ten years on the shelf. ?Jungleland? was played for the second night in a row, and Clarence ?the Big Man?on Campus? Clemons really nailed the solo at center stage both nights. And in a true spontaneous moment, some clever-thinking woman held up a sign and was pulled on stage for ?Dancing in the Dark.? Think you heard this one before? Well, she was no ?Courtney Cox,? rather ?Jon Landau," and the woman was well rewarded for that clever stroke. Given a guitar to strum and an opportunity to sing with Springsteen, this Carolina songbird made the most of her one big shot to ham it up with Bruce to the delight of thousands. Look for details in the next issue of Backstreets.
Setlist: I Walk the Line/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Candy's Room/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Living Proof/She's the One/Badlands/Mary's Place/American Skin (41 Shots)/Jungleland/Into the Fire
First Encore: Cadillac Ranch/Hungry Heart/Glory Days/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: Brilliant Disguise/My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

September 13 / Washington, DC / FedEx Field
Notes: The DC show opens with the anticipated tribute to Johnny -- no, not the "Three's Company" theme, but the Man in Black's signature "I Walk the Line" featuring Bruce on acoustic. That was just one of several treats here in Backstreets' backyard. Who'd have thought we'd have to wait until a stadium show to get "Paradise"? The Virginia hills haven't quite gone to brown, but it was the right time and place for that song's tour-proper debut. Another rarity was "Human Touch" (soundchecked tonight along with "Living Proof") which, played back-to- back with a ferocious "She's the One," would almost have you believe that Bruce was one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. And in the encores, the why-hasn't-this-turned-up-before "Pink Cadillac," another tour premiere. How's that for purified and expunged? Bruce and the band will return to an undisclosed location before taking the stage again Sunday night in Chapel Hill.
Setlist: I Walk the Line/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Promised Land/The Fuse/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/No Surrender/Human Touch/She's the One/Badlands/Mary's Place/Paradise/Jungleland/Into the Fire
First Encore: Pink Cadillac/Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

September 10 / Toronto, ON / SkyDome
Notes: "Man, I'd like to stay / But I'm bound for glory / I'm on my way / My ride's here..." At their first show since we learned of Warren Zevon's death, Bruce and the band lose no time before paying tribute, opening Toronto with Zevon's "My Ride's Here." A straightforward setlist otherwise, with "You're Missing," "Countin' on a Miracle," and "Land of Hope and Dreams" back in their original slots. Notables include "Trapped" and "Because the Night."
Setlist: My Ride's Here/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/Trapped/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Because the Night/She's the One/Badlands/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/Jungleland/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

September 7 / Boston, MA / Fenway Park
Notes: "It's great to be back at Fenway another night. We had a hell of a time last night. We'll do it again and then some." And they did. Bruce and the band always seem to rise to the occasion on the final night of any Boston stand (the most recent examples being December 16th, 1996 and August 27th 1999). "Frankie" by request. "Further On Up the Road." Peter Wolf making it two for two. Scorching guitar leads on "Because the Night" and "Adam Raised a Cain" that seemed to be a big, fat "Oh Yeah?" to those Rolling Stoners who didn't see fit to put Bruce in their latest Top 100 Guitarists lists. Oh, and that "Spirit in the Night" "For You" two-fer. And more. Bruce got into the Boston spirit, offering a "rock and roll exorcism" against the day's sports team losses and the everpresent curse of the Bambino.
Setlist: Take Me Out to the Ballgame (Danny on organ)/Diddy Wah Diddy/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Adam Raised a Cain/Something in the Night/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Spirit in the Night/For You/Because the Night/She's the One/Badlands/Mary's Place/Frankie/Jungleland/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Further On Up the Road/Glory Days/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A. (full band)/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark/Dirty Water (with Peter Wolf)

September 6 / Boston, MA / Fenway Park
Notes: "I wanna see the green monster!" And with that, Bruce led the band (minus Clarence) out towards the left-field wall during their nightly "Ramrod" excursion. He might have used celestial navigation to make his way out there - he howled at the moon and pointed out Mars to Clarence. A very good show in Fenway Park tonight, perhaps rushed at the end due to the neighborhood curfew? No "Land of Hope and Dreams!" Bruce said it was a "lovely privilege" to play in the heart of Boston and felt the "soul of the city" in Fenway. Opener "Diddy Wah Diddy" was a "hit" for Boston band Barry & the Remains. Other appearances of note: a full band "Born in the U.S.A.," "Be True," "Janey Don't You Lose Heart," and perennial Boston guest Peter Wolf. Not bad for a "Night A" set.
Setlist: Take Me Out to the Ballgame (Danny on organ)/Diddy Wah Diddy/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Be True/The Ties That Bind/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Janey Don't You Lose Heart/Because the Night/Badlands/No Surrender/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Across the Border/Into the Fire/The Promised Land
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Hungry Heart/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A. (full band)/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark/Dirty Water (with Peter Wolf)

August 31 / East Rutherford, NJ / Giants Stadium
Notes: Night 10 at Giants Stadium closed out the stand in style, with a fantastic mix of the old and the new, greatest hits and greatest misses, all for an ecstatic Labor Day weekend crowd. Mix together the last two nights of a lengthy stand with the attendance of a working film crew and what you get are the kinds of setlists that Springsteen fans have been longing for since this Tour began. If you knew tonight?s opener from the first few notes, well, step to the front of the line of The Legion of Bruce. The sounds of ?Cynthia? hit the New Jersey air just after 8:30pm to make her live performance debut, and it made this show a real ?yeah, yeah, alright!!? for diehards. Other standouts: ?Lucky Town,? ?Spirit in the Night,? ?Lost in the Flood,? and for the second night in a row ?Because the Night? sizzled like a fried egg on a hot Texas street. Um, and that was before the encores. ?Kitty?s Back? kicked those off, only to be topped by the ?will-he-or-won?t-he? (he will!) appearance of Tom Waits? ?Jersey Girl? to close things out. Springsteen thanked those of his fans who come to the shows night after night, with a special nod to those long distance travelers.
Setlist: Cynthia/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Night/Lucky Town/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Spirit in the Night/Because the Night/Badlands/Two Hearts/No Surrender/Mary's Place/Lost in the Flood/Into the Fire/The Promised Land
First Encore: Kitty's Back/Glory Days/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark/Jersey Girl

August 30 / East Rutherford, NJ / Giants Stadium
Notes: In the world of Bruce Springsteen concerts, some nights seem earmarked as special before the first note is even played. Whether it's a birthday show or the last concert of a lengthy stand, sometimes you just get a hunch. There weren't many good hunches flying around after Thursday's standard set, filmed by a professional crew. So Saturday night at Giants Stadium (night 9 of 10, if you're keeping score) caught quite a few folks off guard as Springsteen raised the stakes and had the crowd raising their hands in joy, gratitude, and disbelief. As the filming continued--with still no official word as to why--Bruce and the band busted out of the gate with the ultra-rare "Janey, Don't You Lose Heart," and established new possibilities for a Rising Tour that is most likely a month away from wrapping. Eleven songs not played the night before, ten songs in the encores, two special guests, tour premieres, rarities, dedications...this one had it all. Highlights (and there were many) included "Trapped," "Roll of the Dice," "Because the Night," and the second appearance of "Pretty Flamingo" since 1978. Springsteen dedicated the main-set closer "Thunder Road" to the family and memory of Jim Berger, who was killed in the September 11 tragedy. Emmylou Harris joined Bruce for a poignant "Across the Border," and the Philadelphia-based band Marah helped out on "Raise Your Hand." A special night for many, this seemed to be the show that said, "Hang on Philly, Jersey's back in town!"
Setlist: Janey, Don't You Lose Heart/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Candy's Room/Trapped/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Roll of the Dice/Because the Night/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Across the Border (with Emmylou Harris)/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: This Hard Land/Raise Your Hand (with Marah)/Glory Days/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Pretty Flamingo/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

August 28 / East Rutherford, NJ / Giants Stadium
Notes: A ten-day layoff finds Bruce and the band back on their home turf at Giants Stadium. They're tan. They're rested. They're ready...ready to be filmed, apparently! There were plenty of high-definition cameras in place around the stage (much like the Madison Square Garden shows in the summer of 2000) leading some to wonder if their Christmas shopping was about to get a lot easier. There were also reports of two distinct soundchecks, one of which included a run-through of "Lost in the Flood." But that nugget did not find its way into the setlist tonight. A short, tight, and fairly standard show as the filming commences: rarities included "Be True" and "Independence Day"--both, apparently by request--and another stab at "From Small Things," this time with special guest Bobby Bandiera. Also of note, "The Fuse" reappeared for the first time since the European leg at the end of May. And the "Dancing in the Dark" finale finally had Bruce dancing again with a lucky girl in the first row.
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/Darkness on the Edge of Town/The Fuse/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Be True/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Independence Day/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: From Small Things (with Bobby Bandiera)/Hungry Heart/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

August 17 / Los Angeles, CA / Dodger Stadium
Notes: Perfect weather at Dodger Stadium — hey, it's Southern California, what did you expect? — as Bruce and the band come out to the sounds of the Beach Boys' "California Girls," opening the show again with "The Promised Land." With very few concerts scheduled for West Coast audiences, Bruce seems to be making sure they get the essence of the Rising tour, with a standard show in L.A. that differed little from the night before in San Francisco. That included another version of the rare "Across the Border," as well as "who is the governor" jokes (and maybe Clarence should step in and clear up the whole recall mess). Setting the "Hollywood house party" apart from the previous night: "Darkness," "You Can Look," and "I'm a Rocker."
Setlist: The Promised Land/The Rising/Lonesome Day/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Prove It All Night/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)/Darlington County/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Across the Border/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: I'm a Rocker/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

August 16 / San Francisco, CA / Pacific Bell Park
Notes: A beautiful night in San Francisco, CA. As Bruce says, usually he'd be "sweating his ass off" after the first five or six songs...but not so in the city of layered clothing. Rarities tonight included "Something in the Night" (very strong) and "Across the Border." In the words of Bruce, the latter was "a little California music." To the folks in the Western branch office of Backstreets, the first half of the show was the strongest the Bay Area (and the Northwest) has seen since perhaps the second night in Oakland in 1999. If not before. "Across the Border" was a beautiful full band arrangement, but it took until "Born to Run" for the crowd to get back in the groove.
Setlist: The Promised Land/The Rising/Lonesome Day/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Prove It All Night/Something in the Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Across the Border/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

August 13 / Chicago, IL / U.S. Cellular Field
Notes: Bruce and the band took the stage to the sound of Sinatra's "My Kind of Town," for a Chicago one-night-stand that may have been back to basics setlist-wise, but still had its fair share of razzmatazz. They had to wait a bit longer during "Sunny Day" when the lights went out onstage, making for a marathon version of the song. As the band kept playing, Bruce messed around with some flashlights and brought the crowd-participation bit back around three times until the lights finally came back on. That (along with the three reprises of "Dancing in the Dark") may help explain why, at 25 songs, the show lasted three hours and ten minutes. Setlist notables were "Adam Raised a Cain" to open, "Working on the Highway" (rather than the setlisted alternate "Spirit in the Night") "Backstreets," "Where the Bands Are," and an audible "Seven Nights to Rock."
Setlist: Adam Raised a Cain/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Prove It All Night/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Working on the Highway/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Backstreets/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: Where the Bands Are/Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

August 11 / Philadelphia, PA / Lincoln Financial Field
Notes: Hang on-- we're still picking our jaws up off the floor. The last of three in Philly had Bruce literally howling at the moon, a 27-song show of which a full-band "Incident" and "Saint in the City" are further down the list of notables. Where do we start — at the beginning, with River-era outtake "From Small Things" to open? Or at the end, a six-song second encore that closed the show with "I'm a Rocker" and brought "Pretty Flamingo"? Yep, "Pretty Flamingo," the Manfred Mann song Bruce hasn't played since 1978. In between, there was the long-lost "I'm Goin' Down" by request, "Be True," "Streets of Philly"... oh hell, check out the full setlist. So that's why Philly shows have a rep... we forgot for a second.
Setlist: From Small Things/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Night/Be True/Atlantic City/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Streets of Philadelphia/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Incident on 57th Street/I'm Going Down/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Pretty Flamingo/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark/I'm a Rocker

August 9 / Philadelphia, PA / Lincoln Financial Field
Notes: Another Saturday Night. That's the song that played as Bruce and the E Streeters took the stage, and as with the last two Saturday shows, they opened this one up with "Adam Raised a Cain." Some real treats for Philly tonight: full-band "For You" and "Spirit in the Night" for the old-timers, "Tougher Than the Rest" for everyone who thought he'd forgotten about the Tunnel album, and "Trapped" for everyone who... well, for everyone. Other than the unshakeable "Born to Run," an entirely different first encore from last night, including "Where the Bands Are" and "I'm a Rocker." Jon Landau helps wrap this night up, playing guitar on "Dancing in the Dark."
Setlist: Adam Raised a Cain/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/Trapped/For You/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Spirit in the Night/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Tougher Than the Rest/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Where the Bands Are/I'm a Rocker/Hungry Heart/Glory Days/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

August 8 / Philadelphia, PA / Lincoln Financial Field
Notes: The Philly stand begins with a full-band "The Promised Land," Bruce playing his beloved old Esquire for this one. Wearing his "only in Philly" green shirt, he pulled out "Something in the Night," "Night," "Sherry Darling," and "Seven Nights to Rock." "Bobby Jean" was dedicated "to Karyn." And clearly the holy-shit moment of the night: a full-band "Lost in the Flood." While a solo-piano arrangement has previously turned up on this tour, this was the first electric one since the 7/1/00 performance captured on Live in New York City.
Setlist: The Promised Land/The Rising/Lonesome Day/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Something in the Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Sherry Darling/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Lost in the Flood/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: Night/Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

August 6 / Pittsburgh, PA / PNC Park
Notes: The inaugural concert at PNC Park is also the first of the E Street Band's ballpark shows—a fact not lost on them, with Bruce saying that he and the band would "try to hit a home run... a grand slam!" Nils, Roy, and Danny—all on accordion— had the first at-bat, opening the show with "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Bruce referred to them as "the three tenors" as the rest of the band then took their spots, and the set proper started off with "Jackson Cage." "Glory Days" turned up in the encore, of course, and with a little hometown help. A special guest in Pittsburgh? Three guesses, and the first two don't count. Yep, Steeltown's Joe Grushecky joins in on "Glory Days," with his son Johnny as well. A long show at 27 songs (28, counting the accordion triple-play), including standouts like "Streets of Fire," "Blinded By the Light," "Further On (Up the Road)"... and "Rosie" keeps comin' on strong.
Setlist: Take Me Out to the Ballgame/Jackson Cage/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Promised Land/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Prove It All Night/Streets of Fire/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Working on the Highway/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Blinded By the Light/My Hometown/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: Further On (Up the Road)/Bobby Jean/Hungry Heart/Glory Days (with Joe Grushecky)/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

August 2 / Foxboro, MA / Gillette Stadium
Notes: The second show in Foxboro ain't no sunny day, but at least the dense fog lifted. Two nights in row now with nine songs in the encores, including four first-encore songs not heard the night before. Tonight's big treat came in the post-"Mary's Place" slot - a beautiful "Racing in the Street" that might have been better served had it gone right into "No Surrender." Another rare treat, "Adam Raised a Cain," opened the show, just like it did in its other Rising Tour appearance exactly one week ago in East Rutherford. And as far as openers go, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better encore-opener than the vibrant "Night." But with over half of the 25 songs played tonight coming from either The Rising or Born in the USA, there wasn't a lot of room for rarities. The second encore remained intact, and has so for six of the last eight shows. Tough to complain, though - those are four great versions of four great songs. Bidding farewell to this stadium crowd, Bruce acknowledged his repeat customers: "See you at Fenway!"
Setlist: Adam Raised a Cain/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Candy's Room/The Ties That Bind/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Working on the Highway/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Racing in the Street/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: Night/Bobby Jean/Hungry Heart/Glory Days/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

August 1 / Foxboro, MA / Gillette Stadium
Notes: With a mixture of rain and thick fog settling in over New England and Burt Bacharach's "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" heard as the band takes the stage, night one in Foxboro gets nine songs in the encores, including a nice tribute to the man who founded Sun Records, the late Sam Phillips. After a main set that featured the return of both "You're Missing" and "Into the Fire," Bruce and Co. conjured up the ghost of Elvis, nailing the Phillips-penned "Mystery Train." Highlights included "Tenth Avenue," "Backstreets," and the third U.S. appearance of "Seven Nights to Rock." And for those of you wondering if it was just a "Jersey thing," little Miss "Rosalita" made it out to Patriot country tonight.
Setlist: The Promised Land/The Rising/Lonesome Day/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Prove It All Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Backstreets/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: Mystery Train/Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

July 27 / East Rutherford, NJ / Giants Stadium
Notes: "A good hot night — I've been waiting for one of these!" And that it was, a hot New Jersey night to close out the July stand. The heavens cooperated as well, holding off the rain until the last song was over. And that last song was "Seven Nights to Rock," also played at the 7/15 opener, to bookend this seven-night run. Same number of songs as the night before, 23, but thumbs-up on the song selection. Candy and Kitty showed up (and Rosie of course went seven for seven). Throw in "Saint in the City," "Meeting Across the River" into our namesake "Backstreets." And we'll confess we didn't mind that "Into the Fire" took a rest. "See you in August!" Yep.
Setlist: Downbound Train/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Candy's Room/Prove It All Night/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Saint in the City/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Meeting Across the River/Backstreets/No Surrender
First Encore: Kitty's Back/Bobby Jean/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark/Seven Nights to Rock

July 26 / East Rutherford, NJ / Giants Stadium
Notes: "Since the band's in prime shape, we're going to play a prime number of song's tonight!" The crowd was rooting for a tour-record 29, but, alas, got 23. Hey, at least it wasn't 19. Okay, Bruce didn't actually say that. But we were scratching our heads trying to figure out why Saturday night got the shortest show of the stretch. Bruce made a big deal about it being Saturday night and mentioned the cast and crew of the Sopranos "telly-vision" show were in the house. Perhaps the band was saving up for tomorrow night's July finale. In any case, who are we to complain - "Rosie" is six for six, "Tenth Avenue Freeze-out" was a highlight, and "Adam" showed up to kick things off.
Setlist: Adam Raised a Cain/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/Atlantic City/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Two Hearts/No Surrender/Mary's Place/My Hometown/Into the Fire/The Promised Land
First Encore: Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out/Glory Days/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

July 24 / East Rutherford, NJ / Giants Stadium
Notes: Dry at last, night five opens with "The Promised Land." While the show is back down to 24 songs, there are some genuine rarities in the set: the once-in-a-blue-moon "Streets of Fire" shows up early, its second performance on this tour. "Meeting Across the River" with Garry on stand-up bass leads into "Jungleland," and "Sandy" kicks off the encores. "Working on the Highway" gets that washboard/hootenanny treatment, and "Rosie" keeps a-comin', now five for five.
Setlist: The Promised Land/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Streets of Fire/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Prove It All Night/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Working on the Highway/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Meeting Across the River/Jungleland/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

July 21 / East Rutherford, NJ / Giants Stadium
Notes: Another wet night in Jersey, as a monster storm soaks the proceedings halfway through. But if this is what a storm brings, let it rain: "Jackson Cage"-"Night"-"Prove It"-"Trapped" anyone? Thought so. And that just gets us to song six. There was also a full-band "For You," and lots of audibles including "Cadillac Ranch" ("we usually slow things down now, but we'll keep it fast so you can stay warm!"). The encores brought special guest Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez for "Spirit in the Night," plus audibles "Where the Bands Are" and "Hungry Heart." The weather didn't keep "Rosie" away (she's now four for four), but this was a rare occasion that Bruce didn't jump at the chance to play "Who'll Stop the Rain." Maybe this one felt too big for that ol' Creedence magic to have much of an effect. Things were nasty enough that there was some talk of taking a breather, but the show must (and did) go on, clocking in at over three hours and 27 songs.
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/Jackson Cage/Night/Prove It All Night/Trapped/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/For You/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Cadillac Ranch/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: Spirit in the Night (with Vini Lopez)/Where the Bands Are/Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Hungry Heart/Dancing in the Dark

July 18 / East Rutherford, NJ / Giants Stadium
Notes: A wet and rainy night three, but on the plus side that means "Who'll Stop the Rain" to open. Perhaps still trying to dry things off, Bruce jumps from "Empty Sky" straight to "Waitin' on a Sunny Day" for the first time. But the rain kept coming down.... Some choice Darkness rarities in the main set, "Something in the Night" and "Racing in the Street." And in the six-song first encore: "Cadillac Ranch," the "Detroit Medley," and special guest Garland Jeffreys on the ? and the Mysterians classic, "96 Tears." (Jeffreys last guested with Bruce at the 2001 Holiday shows.) As for "Rosie," she's three for three!
Setlist: Who'll Stop the Rain/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Something in the Night/Empty Sky/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/You Can Look/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Racing in the Street/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: Cadillac Ranch/96 Tears (with Garland Jeffreys)/Bobby Jean/Glory Days/Detroit Medley/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

July 17 / East Rutherford, NJ / Giants Stadium
Notes: Bruce foregoes an acoustic number on night two, he and the band taking the stage to the sounds of Frank Sinatra's "Summer Wind" and launching straight into "The Rising." A triple-shot of "Night," "Candy's Room" and "Prove It All Night" lights up the early part of the show. "Growin' Up" (for the "old-timers"), "Jungleland," and "Hungry Heart" are also in the set. Bruce repeats his PSA before "Land of Hope and Dreams" (see 7/15 report), and as for "Rosie" coming out? She's two for two. (Will Wild Billy be far behind? A tuba was visible onstage, though never played...)
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/Night/Candy's Room/Prove It All Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Growin' Up/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Jungleland/Into the Fire/No Surrender/Thunder Road
First Encore: Hungry Heart/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Rosalita/Dancing in the Dark

July 15 / East Rutherford, NJ / Giants Stadium
Notes: A beautiful, breezy New Jersey night for the Giants Stadium opener. Bruce takes the stage at 8:25, kicking things off on the acoustic with a solo "Born in the U.S.A.," and "Sherry Darling" later in the set officially marks the beginning of the summer season for the roughly 55,000 in attendance (despite a plethora of tickets available outside, the stadium appeared packed to the rafters). Dedicating "My City of Ruins" to the local foodbank, he added a plug for the song's primary inspiration, Asbury Park. "If you've got a weekend here, it's worth your time, down at the Shore. I'll send this out to our friends down there, too."
Springsteen had a few new things to say being back on U.S. soil, this being the first Rising show in the States since April; his "Public Service Announcement" before "Land of Hope and Dreams" brought some of the biggest cheers of the night:

People come to my shows with many different kinds of political beliefs; I like that, we welcome all. There have been a lot of questions raised recently about the forthrightness of our government. This playing with the truth has been a part of both the Republican and Democratic administrations in the past and it is always wrong, never more so than when real lives are at stake. The question of whether we were mislead into the war in Iraq isn't a liberal or conservative or republican or democratic question, it's an American one. Protecting the democracy that we ask our sons and daughters to die for is our responsibility and our trust. Demanding accountability from our leaders is our job as citizens. It's the American way. So may the truth will out."

June 28 / Milan, Italy / San Siro Stadium
Notes: The European leg ends with a bang -- quite a few bangs, actually, as a thunderstorm soaks the San Siro Stadium -- but we're also referring to Bruce and the E Street Band wrapping up the show with "Rosalita." "Rosie" has come out only one other time on the Rising tour so far, in Sydney, Australia. As for that storm: During "Empty Sky" the sky is actually full of dark clouds; rain begins as Bruce sings "though I know the river is dry…" and during "Waitin' on a Sunny Day," Bruce and the band are indeed "workin' with the rain fallin' down." The crowd was soaked to the bone by the time of an impromptu mid-set "Who'll Stop the Rain." While the rain tapered off, lightning continued to provide an extra light show for much of the night. Also a special for Milan is the tour premiere of "Follow That Dream." Jon Landau guests on "Dancing in the Dark."
Setlist: The Promised Land/The Rising/Lonesome Day/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Empty Sky/The River/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Who'll Stop the Rain/Growin' Up/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/ Follow That Dream/Thunder Road/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark/Rosalita

June 25 / Vienna, Austria / Ernst-Happel Stadion
Notes: The penultimate show of the European leg was a short one by recent standards, under three hours, but there was still plenty of time for a true rarity: the full-band "Incident on 57th Street." The show opened with "The Promised Land," and again included the full-band "The River" in place of "You're Missing." "Ramrod" lead into what we're now told was a full-band, full version of "Roll Over Beethoven" as a special for the Viennese crowd.
Setlist: The Promised Land/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Prove It All Night/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Empty Sky/The River/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/No Surrender/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/ Mary's Place/Incident on 57th Street/Thunder Road/Into the Fire
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Roll Over Beethoven/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Glory Days/Dancing in the Dark

June 22 / Gothenburg, Sweden / Ullevi Stadium
Notes: For the second Gothenburg concert, an extended show-closing "Twist and Shout" brings the show to the three-and-a-quarter-hour mark, at 27 songs, with continued stadium-show tweaking making for quite a setlist. The main set opens with "The Promised Land" and closes with "No Surrender." In between are such rarities as "Jackson Cage," "Atlantic City," "Growin' Up," and "Racing in the Street." "Hungry Heart" and the "Detroit Medley" make the encores, for a total of nine songs in Night Two that weren't performed the previous night.
Setlist: The Promised Land/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Jackson Cage/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Atlantic City/Empty Sky/The River/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Growin' Up/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Racing in the Street/Into the Fire/No Surrender
First Encore: Thunder Road/Hungry Heart/Ramrod/Born to Run/Detroit Medley
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark/Twist and Shout

June 21 / Gothenburg, Sweden / Ullevi Stadium
Notes: "You're Missing" returns for Night One in Gothenburg, and the full-band "The River" stays in as well, bumped toward the end of the set. "Working on the Highway" makes a rare appearance, and shaking up the encores, baby, it's "Twist and Shout" to close.
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Working on the Highway/No Surrender/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/The River/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark/Twist and Shout

June 19 / Oslo, Norway / Valle Hovin
Notes: The Oslo concert includes two songs from Tracks: "Where the Bands Are" and "My Love Will Not Let You Down." As on June 17, a full-band version of "The River" takes the place of "You're Missing." A relatively short 24-song show also brings "Sherry Darling," "Jungleland," a set-closing "The Promised Land," and the return of "Seven Nights to Rock."
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/Prove It All Night/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Empty Sky/The River/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Sherry Darling/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Jungleland/Into the Fire/The Promised Land
First Encore: Where the Bands Are/Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

June 17 / Helsinki, Finland / Olympic Stadium
Notes: Whaaaaaa? For the first time on The Rising Tour, "You're Missing" drops out of the set. It's not the song we'd choose to lose, but nearly a year into the tour, a little experimentation with the core set sounds good to us. "Empty Sky" is followed instead by "The River," the tour premiere of a full-band version. "Seven Nights to Rock" actually rocked for ten nights running, its absence tonight ending that streak. "Born in the U.S.A." is dropped as well, with "The Rising" shifting back to the opening slot. In all, quite a different set from the first Finland show, with nine songs not played the night before, including "Candy's Room," "She's the One," "Jungleland," and "Cadillac Ranch."
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/Candy's Room/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Empty Sky/The River/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/No Surrender/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Jungleland/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Cadillac Ranch/Hungry Heart/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Glory Days/Dancing in the Dark

June 16 / Helsinki, Finland / Olympic Stadium
Notes: Bruce and the band play it straight, setlist-wise, for the first of back-to-back concerts in Helsinki. A standard 25-song Rising set includes "Darlington County," "My Hometown," "Thunder Road," and "Glory Days" after "Dancing in the Dark" to close the show. Will this mean wilder wildcards for the second show at Olympic Stadium? Tuesday night will tell.
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/No Surrender/ Prove It All Night/Darlington County/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/My Hometown/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark/Glory Days

June 14 / Copenhagen, Denmark / Parken
Notes: A hot Saturday night in Copenhagen finds Springsteen hanging upside down on the microphone stand. And while he may not be turning the setlist upside down, he's continued to keep in mind the repeat customers: "Take 'Em as They Come" and "Point Blank" both have their tour premieres, with Bruce dedicating the latter to the fans following the band from city to city. "We get a lot of requests and we can't play 'em all," he said, "but here's one." In the encores, "Darlington County" leads things off, and Bruce and the band just can't bring themselves to go home after "Dancing in the Dark," so they add a bonus "Glory Days" to take the show past the three-hour mark.
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Take 'Em as They Come/Prove It All Night/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Point Blank/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Darlington County/Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark/Glory Days

June 12 / Hamburg, Germany / AOL Arena
Notes: A rainy night and a 27-song set in Hamburg, including "Atlantic City," "You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)," "Racing in the Street," "Tenth Avenue Freeze-out," "Hungry Heart" with returning guest Wolfgang Niedecken, and the first "Downbound Train" since August.
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/Atlantic City/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/You Can Look/No Surrender/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Downbound Train/Racing in the Street/Into the Fire/Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
First Encore: Hungry Heart (with Wolfgang Niedecken)/Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

June 10 / Munich, Germany / Olympic Stadium
Notes: With the acoustic "Born in the U.S.A." settling into the opening slot (now for the fifth show in a row), the main set closer becomes one to watch: in Munich, it brings the return (and the tour premiere) of "Tenth Avenue Freeze-out." And all the little pretties surely raised their hands for rarities like "Jackson Cage," "You Can Look," and "Further On Up the Road."
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Jackson Cage/The Ties That Bind/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/You Can Look/Sherry Darling/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Backstreets/Into the Fire/Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
First Encore: Further On Up the Road/Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/ Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

June 8 / Florence, Italy / Stadio Artemio Franchi
Notes: Back on stage after a week off, Springsteen and the band give Florence "a little summer song" with "Sherry Darling," celebrate Bruce and Patti's 12th anniversary with "Tougher Than the Rest," and close the main set with "The Promised Land." Being back in Italy, of course, guarantees much crowd participation — the audience anticipated "Waitin' on a Sunny Day," starting the song before Bruce did, and got two "Badlands" reprises. The same encore set as Dublin, but nothing wrong with that when it includes "Kitty's Back" and "Seven Nights to Rock."
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Night/ My Love Will Not Let You Down/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Sherry Darling/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Tougher Than the Rest/Jungleland/Into the Fire/The Promised Land
First Encore: Kitty's Back/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock/Glory Days
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 31 / Dublin, Ireland / RDS
Notes: Saturday night's Dublin show was Bruce and the band's last before a week-long break, and they left on a high note. It was another long one, at 26 songs and well over 3 hours — and a fine set at that, with "My Love Will Not Let You Down," "Atlantic City," and the "Meeting/Jungleland" two-pack. But the real going-away present came in the encore, as "Kitty's Back" made its first tour appearance since Philly. Bruce has brought Kitty back more than a few times in recent years, for benefits and for the Conan O'Brien broadcast, but it's still a rare delicacy at an E Street Band concert. Must be the luck of the Irish.
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Candy's Room/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Atlantic CIty/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Meeting Across the River/Jungleland/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Kitty's Back/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock/Glory Days
Second Encore: My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 29 / Manchester, England / Old Trafford
Notes: Manchester ticketholders had some is-it-canceled-or-isn't-it worries in the months before this show, but the payoff made up for it. The concert, which went on as originally scheduled, clocked in at over 3 hours with 27 songs. An acoustic opener ("Born in the U.S.A." again) kept things quiet for local residents for at least the first six minutes or so... but the five-pack which followed surely rattled some windows. True rarities were "Loose Ends" and "Sandy," with additional treats such as "Meeting"/"Jungleland" and, for the fourth show in a row, "Seven Nights to Rock." Did we mention: 27 songs?
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Candy's Room/Prove It All Night/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Two Hearts/Loose Ends/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Meeting Across the River/Jungleland/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)/Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 27 / London, England / National Sports Arena, Crystal Palace
Notes: For the second of two shows, London gets nine songs not played the previous night-- including the acoustic "Born in the U.S.A." to start; a powerhouse trio of "Candy's Room"/"Prove It"/"Atlantic City" all in a row; "Racing in the Street"; and "Night" and the "Detroit Medley" in the encores. A relentless five-song first encore, with the Medley followed by the glorious rave-up that is "Seven Nights to Rock"-- the cover has yet to leave the set since its Rising tour debut in Paris three shows back, and we're hoping the roll continues. Landau guests again on "Dancing in the Dark."
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Candy's Room/Prove It All Night/Atlantic City/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Sherry Darling/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Racing in the Street/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Night/Ramrod/Born to Run/Detroit Medley/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 26 / London, England / National Sports Arena, Crystal Palace
Notes: Night one in London gets "Meeting Across the River" into "Jungleland." "Darlington County" shows up in the middle of the set and perhaps "Seven Nights to Rock" is settling into an encore slot. Jon Landau plays guitar on "Dancing in the Dark."
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/My Love Will Not Let You Down/The Fuse/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Darlington County/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Meeting Across the River/Jungleland/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 24 / Paris, France / Stade de France
Notes: Maybe Colin Powell (still in town?) was at the show tonight? Bruce pulled out "Trapped," "Be True" (!), and "Seven Nights to Rock," the Moon Mullican song he performed recently at the Bobby Bandiera benefit in Red Bank, NJ. Throw in "Who'll Stop the Rain" as an opener and you've got a show that gets the attention of setlist watchers... and concert attendees. Jon Landau plays guitar on "Dancing in the Dark." That's not all that made Paris special. Soon after the gates opened at 6 p.m., a couple of hours before the "real" show started, Springsteen was onstage post-soundcheck to greet fans as they came in. "Welcome to the early show!" In addition to taking pictures of the crowd, he rewarded those who had been waiting in the rain with a special performance: the relatively small group of early arrivals inside the venue were treated to three songs on acoustic guitar. After this "warm-up," Bruce left the stage saying "See you in a little while..."
Acoustic pre-show: Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street/Growin' Up/This Hard Land
Setlist: Who'll Stop the Rain/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Trapped/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Be True/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Jungleland/Into the Fire
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Seven Nights to Rock
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 22 / Gelsenkirchen, Germany / Arena auf Schalke
Notes: A move back to the standard structure of the show tonight in Germany. "Jungleland" is played for the third night in a row and the "Detroit Medley" returns to the encores.
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/No Surrender/Prove It All Night/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Jungleland/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Detroit Medley
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 19 / Madrid, Spain / Estadio De La Comunidad (La Peineta)
Notes: A special-guest trifecta in Madrid. For Elliott Murphy's third show on the Rising tour, he once again plays on "Born to Run," as well as the ultra-rare "Better Days." Max's daughter Ali plays keyboards on "Ramrod," and "Dancing in the Dark" features Springsteen manager Jon Landau on guitar. The 26-song show also includes "Candy's Room", "My Love Will Not Let you Down," "Jungleland," "Cadillac Ranch," and "Darlington County" to close a 9-song encore.
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/Prove It All Night/Candy's Room/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Better Days (with Elliott Murphy)/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/Jungleland/Into the Fire
First Encore: Cadillac Ranch/Bobby Jean/Glory Days/Born to Run (with Elliott Murphy)/Ramrod (with Ali Weinberg)
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark/Darlington County

May 17 / Barcelona, Spain / Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
Notes: As the tour returns to Barcelona on May 17, Patti returns to the stage, for her first show of the 2003 European leg. "Sherry Darling" has its tour premiere, with additional rarities "My Love Will Not Let You Down," "Because the Night," "Jungleland," and "Hungry Heart."
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Sherry Darling/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Because the Night/Jungleland/Into the Fire
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Hungry Heart/Detroit Medley
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 15 / Gijon, Spain / Estadio El Molinon
Notes: No acoustic number to open, but still an unusual opening slot for the full-band "The Promised Land." Also in the main set: "Something in the Night," "My Hometown," and our beloved namesake, "Backstreets." Making for a nine-song encore are "Cadillac Ranch" and "Thunder Road." Still no Patti.
Setlist: The Promised Land/The Rising/Lonesome Day/No Surrender/Something in the Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/My Hometown/Backstreets/Into the Fire
First Encore: Cadillac Ranch/Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Detroit Medley
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Thunder Road/Dancing in the Dark

May 12 / Brussels, Belgium / Koning Boudewijnstadion
Notes: "4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy)" makes its tour premiere at the Brussels show. Tonight's acoustic opener is "The River," and other rarities include "Something in the Night," "Night" (in a five-song first encore), and the "Detroit Medley." Still no Patti.
Setlist: The River (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Darlington County/Something in the Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Two Hearts/No Surrender/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/The Promised Land/4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy)/Into the Fire
First Encore: Night/Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Detroit Medley
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 10 / Ludwigshafen, Germany / Sudweststadion
Notes: Yet another new opener: an acoustic "This Hard Land" kicks things off at the second city of the 2003 European tour. Ludwigshafen also gets "Spirit in the Night," the full-band "Racing in the Street," and "Glory Days" (replacing the "Detroit Medley"). Still no Patti.
Setlist: This Hard Land (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/No Surrender/Candy's Room/Darlington County/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Spirit in the Night/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/The Promised Land/Racing in the Street/Into the Fire
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Glory Days
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 8 / Rotterdam, The Netherlands / Feyenoord Stadion
Notes: For night two, Rotterdam gets seven songs not played on May 6: an acoustic "Darkness on the Edge of Town," "The Ties That Bind," "Candy's Room," "Two Hearts," "She's the One," a full-band "Racing in the Street," and "Cadillac Ranch." Plus, "Detroit Medley" stays in, and Patti stays out ("kids need her more than the band.")
Setlist: Darkness on the Edge of Town (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/Candy's Room/Darlington County/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Two Hearts/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Racing in the Street/Into the Fire
First Encore: Cadillac Ranch/Ramrod/Born to Run/Detroit Medley
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 6 / Rotterdam, The Netherlands / Feyenoord Stadion
Notes: The 2003 European leg begins, with the first of two concerts in Rotterdam. The show begins with the acoustic "Born in the U.S.A." and includes the "Detroit Medley" and a solo-piano "Incident." No changes to the standard set structure as the stadium shows begin, though Patti Scialfa is absent on this first night. (It remains unclear when she might be back onstage-- as Bruce told the crowd, "Patti sends her regards, she couldn't be here. The kids need her more right now than the band.")
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/The Rising/Lonesome Day/No Surrender/The Promised Land/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/Incident on 57th Street (solo piano)/Thunder Road/Into the Fire
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Detroit Medley
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

May 2 / Asbury Park / Stone Pony
With Soozie Tyrell - White Lines record release party
Notes: Springsteen's third Jersey-area performance in four days came once again at the Stone Pony. On Friday night, May 2, E Streeter Soozie Tyrell celebrated the release of her solo album, White Lines, with a show at the Asbury Park club. Both Springsteen and Patti Scialfa were onhand to watch, and to take part as well. Soozie, who sang and played both fiddle and guitar, had a full band with her (two guitars, bass, keyboards and drums). Later, she had a couple extra backup singers: For "Ste. Genevieve," a song from White Lines she called "my personal favorite... the best song I've ever written," she called up "two of my closest friends" to help her out, and Patti and Bruce sang backup. Later, during the encore, Bruce and Patti returned to the stage, this time with Bruce picking up a guitar, for a cover of Bobby Womack's "It's All Over Now" -- Bruce at center mic, Patti on backup vocals, and Soozie on violin. Stan Goldstein reports: "When it was over, Bruce and Patti both gave Soozie a big hug, and you could tell how proud they were of her. As Soozie left the stage, the crowd yelled 'Soozie! Soozie!' She put on a tremendous show."
Setlist (with Soozie Tyrell): Ste. Genevieve (ST lead)/It's All Over Now (BS lead)

April 30 / Asbury Park / Stone Pony
Private RCDS Benefit
Notes: As they did in April of 2002, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa played a private benefit for Rumson Country Day School at the Stone Pony. (See last year's report.) While we've yet to get a full setlist, all signs point to it being a virtual repeat of last year-- a three hour set consisting largely of covers like CCR's "Green River," Bob Seger's "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man," and the Beatles' "Tell Me Why." Originals included "Darlington County" and "Glory Days." Admission was once again $1,000, restricted to RCDS parents, who danced the night away-- and also got an "I survived the Second Annual Stone Pony Bar Band Bash" T-shirt.
Setlist: Included "Tell Him," "Green River," "Wonderful World," "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man," "Sugar, Sugar," "The Boy From New York City," "Domino," "Twistin' the Night Away," "Hey Tonight," and "Tell Me Why."
Encore: Darlington County/Glory Days/Twist and Shout

April 29 / Red Bank, NJ / Count Basie Theatre
The Hope Concert for Robert Bandiera, Jr.
Notes: During a break from the Rising tour, Bruce Springsteen and Max Weinberg joined many other friends in Red Bank for the Hope Concert. As MC Big Joe Henry said, "We're here to help our good friend Bobby." Bobby Bandiera's son, Robert Jr., has neurological difficulties and will require full time care. So Bobby's friends, and a full house at the Count Basie Theatre, came out to lend their support. Along with Bobby and his band, the heavy hitters were Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Gary U.S. Bonds, the Max Weinberg 7, and Southside Johnny. With Bobby working hard for the cause himself, hardly ever leaving the stage, the ensemble played a surprisingly seamless show that lasted over three hours.
Five songs in-- after Bobby, his band, and others including Norman Nardini opened with songs like "Here Comes the Sun" and "I Shall Be Released"--the full ensemble was onstage for "This Time It's for Real." Then the performers began to rotate on and off in an impressively intertwined fashion--clearly a lot of thought and rehearsal time had gone into the show.
Southside, Gary, Bon Jovi, and Bruce each did a few songs, with everyone getting a chance to shine: Bonds on "New Orleans" and "Daddy's Come Home," Bon Jovi on "Just Older" and David Bowie's "Heroes," Southside on... well, when isn't Johnny a ray of sunshine? Duets were also plentiful, with the South joining Bon Jovi for John Hiatt's "Have a Little Faith in Me," "I Don't Want to Go Home," and "Souls on Fire." Bruce and Bonds teamed up on "Jole Blon," "Soul Deep" and "This Little Girl." And a horn-drenched highlight, as Bruce and Southside tackled "The Fever" together, trading off verses with Bruce taking a mean lead guitar.
And oh yeah, the Springsteen highlights-- nothing to complain about with the Max Weinberg 7 helping power classics like "The E Street Shuffle," "Tenth Avenue Freezeout," and "Kitty's Back." And closing the main set, "Thunder Road" and a brain-rattling "Rosalita." (And, perhaps more surprisingly, still nothing to complain about with Jon Bon Jovi taking some verses, practically dueting with Bruce on this pair of fan-faves... Bon Jovi said at the end of the night, "See ya at the Meadowlands this summer!").
During the break before the encores, MC Tim McLoone spoke about how "Bob Bandiera laid out a lifetime of good work," and that was why his friends had gathered tonight. He then went on to read a letter from Robert Jr.'s mother. A blowout encore brought everyone onstage for "Havin' a Party," after which Southside instigated a totally impromptu (and cut short) "Cold Sweat." Bon Jovi took the lead on "Twist and Shout," then Bruce and Bonds on "Quarter to Three." The penultimate song had Bruce bringing the house down with Moon Mullican's (and Nick Lowe/Rockpile's) "Seven Nights to Rock."
Bobby, who had hardly left the stage all night, finally took the mic to say "Thank you everybody...I can't say enough." He dedicated the final song, "I'll Never Find Another You" by The Seekers, to his son. Bruce finished off the night by saying everybody was here because "Bobby has saved all of our asses so many times over the years..." A touching night, a great night.

Setlist:
MC intro - Tim McLoone/Big Joe Henry
Water (Everett Bradley)
Here Comes the Sun (BB)
I Shall Be Released (Norman Nardini)
Claudine (BB)
This Time It's For Real (Ensemble)
Passion Street (SSJ)
New Orleans (Bonds)
You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks (Bonds)
Have a Little Faith in Me (JBJ/SSJ)
Blaze of Glory (JBJ)
The E Street Shuffle (Bruce/MW7)
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out (Bruce/MW7)
Jole Blon (Bruce/Bonds)
Daddy's Come Home (Bonds)
Heroes (JBJ)
Just Older (JBJ)
Souls on Fire (SSJ/JBJ)
I Don't Want to Go Home (SSJ/JBJ)
The Fever (Bruce/SSJ)
Kitty's Back (Bruce/MW7/BB)
Soul Deep (Bruce/Bonds)
This Little Girl (Bonds/Bruce)
Thunder Road (Bruce/JBJ/MW7)
Rosalita (Bruce/JBJ/MW7)
---
MC - Tim McLoone
---
A Change is Gonna Come/Havin' a Party (Ensemble)
Cold Sweat (partial) (Ensemble)
Twist and Shout (JBJ/Ensemble)
Quarter to Three (Bonds/Bruce/Ensemble)
Seven Nights to Rock (Bruce/Ensemble)
I'll Never Find Another You (BB/Ensemble)

April 19 / Montreal, QC / Bell Centre
Notes: Montreal got a strong show, with "The Promised Land" as an opener, the rare "My Love Will Not Let You Down" called as an audible, the tour premiere of "Hungry Heart," and guest Allie Weinberg (Max's daughter) on keyboards during "Ramrod." Songs soundchecked but not played tonight included "Let's Be Friends (Skin to Skin)," "Brilliant Disguise," "Cover Me," and "Living Proof." None of the songs were played all the way through in soundcheck - just partial versions.
Setlist: The Promised Land/The Rising/Lonesome Day/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Two Hearts/No Surrender/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Incident on 57th Street (solo piano)/Thunder Road/Into the Fire
First Encore: Hungry Heart/Ramrod/Born to Run/Detroit Medley
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

April 18 / Ottawa, ON / Corel Centre
Notes: "I'm on Fire" shows up after "Mary's Place," but the freight train running through the middle of Bruce's head was Clarence during "Ramrod." The Boss and Clarence got all tangled up as they were running around: the Incident on E Street was almost a squishing of Springsteen. That disaster averted, the Band went on with the encores, including the "Detroit Medley." "Growin' Up" was an audible; not on the setlist.
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/No Surrender/Prove It All Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Growin' Up/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/I'm on Fire/Countin' on a Miracle/Thunder Road/Into the Fire
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Detroit Medley
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

April 14 / Edmonton, AB / Skyreach Centre
Notes: Bruce has been struggling with illness while in the Great White North, but if Monday night was any indication, he's on the mend. A pre-"Rising" slot is back, with "No Surrender" opening the show. Granting a pair of requests also brought the return of the solo piano slot, with "Incident on 57th Street" taking the place of "Countin' on a Miracle"; and, in the encores, a surprise "Detroit Medley" rave-up.
Setlist: No Surrender/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Incident on 57th Street (solo piano)/Thunder Road/Into the Fire
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run/Detroit Medley
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

April 13 / Calgary, AB / Pengrowth Saddledome
Notes: "Born in the U.S.A." stays out of the set as Bruce and the band make their way across Canada. Calgary gets "No Surrender," "Darlington County," and "Jungleland."
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/No Surrender/Prove It All Night/Darlington County/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/Jungleland/Into the Fire
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

April 11 / Vancouver, BC / Pacific Coliseum
Notes: Back to basics in Vancouver, with "The Rising" and "Lonesome Day" opening the show for the first time since Richmond (a soundchecked "Chimes of Freedom" did not make the set). Rarities included "The Ties That Bind," "Two Hearts," "My Hometown," and "This Hard Land." As with other recent shows outside of the U.S., "Thunder Road" followed "Into the Fire" as the set closer. Conspicuously absent: "Born in the U.S.A." and "Countin' on a Miracle."
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/Prove It All Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/No Surrender/Two Hearts/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/My Hometown/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: This Hard Land/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

April 9 / Sacramento, CA / Arco Arena
Notes: "Good to be home," said Springsteen in Sacramento, at their first U.S. show in nearly a month. It was also their first U.S. concert since the conflict in Iraq began, on the day that U.S. forces took Baghdad, and "War" did not make the set. Instead, an intense opening trio was carried over from New Zealand: the acoustic "Born in the U.S.A.," "Who'll Stop the Rain," and "No Surrender." The intensity was also notable in the encores: "Land of Hope and Dreams" was a "prayer for peace," for "the safety of our sons and daughters, and for the safety of the Iraqi people." Bruce played "One more for Sacramento-- because you're soooo good..." and "Darlington County" closed the show. Also in the set: "The Fuse" and "Jungleland."
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/Who'll Stop the Rain/No Surrender/The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Fuse/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/Jungleland/Into the Fire
First Encore: Thunder Road/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark/Darlington County

March 28 / Auckland, New Zealand / Western Springs Stadium
Notes: A confluence of events, meteorological and sociopolitical, leads to a beloved cover: Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Who'll Stop the Rain," played in the second slot (in place of "War"). This at a Friday night show in Auckland, New Zealand, where security was increased due to a local terror threat. According to a Reuters report, "New Zealand went on heightened alert on Friday triggered by threatened terror attacks on water supplies, U.S. interests and a cinema in the country's largest cities, officials said.... Security was being beefed up at two big public events on Friday evening in the largest city Auckland -- a concert by U.S. rock legend Bruce Springsteen and a rugby match." The concert went off without a hitch, though--unless you're not a fan of the Born in the U.S.A. album; with the inclusion of "Darlington County," "My Hometown," "Bobby Jean," and "Glory Days," there were seven songs from that 1984 record.
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/Who'll Stop the Rain/No Surrender/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Darlington County/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/My Hometown/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Glory Days/Dancing in the Dark

March 26 / Brisbane, Australia / Brisbane Entertainment Center
Notes: They can't do it like he can: Bruce pulls out the ultra-rare "I'm a Rocker." In all, night two in Brisbane brings six songs not played the night before, also including "Two Hearts," "The Promised Land," "Out in the Street," "My Hometown," and "This Hard Land."
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/War/No Surrender/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Darlington County/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Two Hearts/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/My Hometown/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: This Hard Land/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/I'm a Rocker/Dancing in the Dark

March 25 / Brisbane, Australia / Brisbane Entertainment Center
Notes: As the Australian tour continues, Springsteen sticks with the "Born in the U.S.A." (acoustic), "War," and "No Surrender" opening trifecta, and the "Thunder Road" set-closer. "Darlington County" pops up in the middle of the set, but the big surprise of the night is the appearance of the Magic Rat, with the first "Jungleland" of the tour.
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/War/No Surrender/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Prove It All Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Jungleland/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

March 22 / Sydney, Australia / Sydney Cricket Ground
Notes: "Rosalita": It's not just for New Jersey anymore. Power outtages may have plagued the Sydney show, but it'd be hard to say they had a negative effect in the end. When the sound cuts out (on "War," "The Rising," "Waitin'," and "Worlds Apart"), Springsteen leads the crowd in a capella sing-alongs while Max pounds away unplugged, at a show Bruce himself called unforgettable: 27 songs, nearly three-and-a-half hours. "No Surrender" moves to the third slot, for a powerful 1-2-3 opener prior to "The Rising." Otherwise, only a small change in the main set from Melbourne ("Darkness" replaces "Prove It"), but two additions at the end of the show make for a six-song second encore, featuring "Rosalita" and "Darlington County." Yep, an impromptu "Rosie" came out tonight-- a reward for the power problems, or a harbinger of stadium shows to come?
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/War/No Surrender/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Darkness on the Edge of Town/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/Backstreets/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark/Glory Days/Rosalita/Darlington County

March 20 / Melbourne, Australia / Telstra Dome
Notes: Springsteen and the E Street Band begin their run of shows Down Under as war begins in Iraq-- but don't think they didn't notice. The double-whammy of "Born in the U.S.A." (the first acoustic version of the Rising tour) and "War" open the show in Melbourne. Springsteen once again takes a moment to clarify his intentions behind the "eye for an eye" line in "Empty Sky," and in the encores "Land of Hope and Dreams" is dedicated to the Australian and American sons and daughters and the innocent Iraqi civilians. Also in the set: "No Surrender," "Backstreets," and "Thunder Road" after "Into the Fire" to close the main set.
Setlist: Born in the U.S.A. (acoustic)/War/The Rising/Lonesome Day/No Surrender/Prove It All Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/The Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/Backstreets/Into the Fire/Thunder Road
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark/Glory Days

March 11 / Rochester, NY / Blue Cross Arena
Notes: "Incendiary" was how one witness described Bruce's performance, making the tour premiere of "Fire" all the more appropriate. From opening with "No Surrender" to "Fire" by request in the second encore, Bruce was extra loose and the show was chock full of surprises: "My Love Will Not Let You Down," "Blinded By the Light," "Nothing Man," "Backstreets," and "Night" all made the set. "Countin' on a Miracle" and "Thunder Road" were originally on the setlist but crossed off, to great effect. Also not making the show was Patti Scialfa, out sick for the second night in a row.
Setlist: No Surrender/The Rising/Lonesome Day/My Love Will Not Let You Down/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Blinded By the Light/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Nothing Man/Backstreets/Night/Into the Fire
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Land of Hope and Dreams/Fire/Dancing in the Dark

March 10 / Providence, RI / Dunkin Donuts Center
Notes: Patti is unable to make the Providence show due to illness-- "She's sick... sick of me!" Bruce jokes. "She sends her regards." We're told that the sound was "a little thin at times," but Soozie did an admirable job making up for Patti's absence. (Get well soon, Patti.) "War" opens the show for only the second time, and several rarities make their first 2003 appearance -- "Night," "The Fuse," and "Spirit in the Night." "If I Should Fall Behind" takes the solo piano slot. The "local special" was a poignant one, as Springsteen and the E Street Band played one for the victims of The Station tragedy (on February 20, nearly 100 people died in a fire at the Rhode Island nightclub) -- "Bobby Jean" opened the encore, dedicated to those who died in the flames. This first U.S. leg has brought some of Springsteen's most explicit language yet regarding the current push toward war, and "War" was not the only statement of the night regarding Iraq. Introducing "Born in the U.S.A.": "I wrote this song about the Vietnam War... I hope I won't have to write this song again. So we'll offer this as a prayer for peace, for the safety of our young men and women in uniform, for the lives of innocent Iraqi civilians... and add our voice to those against war in Iraq."
Setlist: War/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Night/Candy's Room/The Fuse/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Spirit in the Night/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Thunder Road/Countin' on a Miracle/If I Should Fall Behind (solo piano)/Into the Fire
First Encore: Bobby Jean/Ramrod/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

March 7 / Atlantic City, NJ / Boardwalk Hall
Notes:A true Jersey-style house party. The show was bookended with Atlantic City treats, but from start to finish it was one for the ages. The band came out as a group to the strains of the Miss America theme, and Bruce was in high spirits, clearly touched to be playing Boardwalk Hall, later saying that it was "real old school tonight" and mentioning the bands (Beatles, Stones) who once graced that stage. He also had plenty to say tonight, particularly after "Empty Sky:" "One thing that bothers me, as a songwriter you always write to be understood." He discussed the "I want an eye for an eye" line, contending that "I wrote that as an expression of the character's confusion and grief, never as a call for blind revenge or bloodlust....we can't be too careful about these things these days....We're living in a time when there are real lives on the line...had to make sure that line was clearly understood." From the Bus Stop/Saint in the City 1-2 punch (with some killer piano work by Roy on the latter) to a solo piano version of "Jersey Girl" (dedicated to "you know who") there was plenty of fodder for long-time fans. Bruce dedicated The Beatles' "Tell Me Why" to his mom, who brought him down to Atlantic City when he was a kid to see Chubby Checker, and to "all the bands that played in this room that inspired us." High energy throughout, a strong setlist within the Rising framework, a killer show.
Setlist: Atlantic City/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Prove It All Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street/It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/Jersey Girl/Into the Fire
First Encore: Tell My Why/Glory Days/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark/Roll of the Dice

March 6 / Richmond, VA/ Richmond Coliseum
Notes: Rarities include "You Can Look" and "Two Hearts," but it was the local flavor that really stood out. Richmond was a home away from home for Bruce back in the Steel Mill days, and this was his first performance there since the '70s. Springsteen dedicated a solo-piano "For You" to "all my old friends in Richmond tonight," including his old Steel Mill pal Robbin Thompson. Later, Bruce brought Thompson to the stage, along with another Virginia boy, Bruce Hornsby, for the encore-opening "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go." Hornsby took two accordion solos, he and Thompson each sang a verse, and Springsteen dedicated the song to the late songwriter Hank Ballard, "great father of rock 'n' roll." Before "My City of Ruins," Springsteen recalled, "This was a town we made our living in for a long time. Back then there was only this place and one other place... thank god we had two places! This town kept us going, and you don't forget that."
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/No Surrender/Prove It All Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)/Two Hearts/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/For You/Into the Fire
First Encore: Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go (with Bruce "Spider Fingers" Hornsby and Robbin "Two Bs Please" Thompson)/Glory Days/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

March 4 / Jacksonville, FL/ Jacksonville Coliseum
Notes: Honoring the late Hank Ballard -- singer, songwriter, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and father of "The Twist" -- Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off the encore with a cover of his "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go." Ballard died on March 2. Also standing out in Jacksonville was a pair of rarities from the too-often-neglected late-'80s/early '90s period: the tour premiere of "Better Days," and the second "Tougher Than the Rest" of the tour.
Setlist: The Rising/Lonesome Day/The Ties That Bind/Prove It All Night/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Better Days/Worlds Apart/Badlands/She's the One/Mary's Place/Tougher Than the Rest/Countin' on a Miracle/Thunder Road/Into the Fire
First Encore: Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go/Glory Days/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

March 2 / Austin, TX / Frank Erwin Center
Notes: In George W. Bush's old stomping grounds, Springsteen opens the show with the tour premiere of "War" -- the hit for both Edwin Starr and Springsteen that asks, "What is it good for? Absolutely nothin'!" A largely solo acoustic version of "Growin' Up" (with Clarence also onhand for the sax solo) is dedicated to those who've supported Bruce and the band "since back in the Armadillo days." The nine-song encore brings some real Lone Star specials, including "This Hard Land" dedicated to Joe Ely, "Cadillac Ranch," and then a guest appearance from Ely himself. The Flatlander performed his own "All Just to Get to You" with Bruce and the band, and came back later for the show-closing "Working on the Highway." In the crowd: former Cowboy QBs Troy Aikman and his backup Babe Laufenberg. This was the last of three makeup shows, postponed from November due to Clarence Clemons' eye surgery-- Bruce tells the Austin crowd that the seeing-eye dog is working out just fine.
Setlist: War/The Rising/Lonesome Day/No Surrender/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Darlington County/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/Growin' Up (acoustic)/Thunder Road/Into the Fire
First Encore: This Hard Land/Cadillac Ranch/All Just to Get to You (with Joe Ely)/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark/Working on the Highway (with Joe Ely)

February 28 / Duluth, GA / Gwinnett Center
Notes: Finally, the Grammy acceptance speech we never got to hear: "I'd like to thank absolutely f-ing nobody." And that, slightly paraphrased, is how The Rising tour reopened outside Atlanta. A bit of a refresher course from where the shows left off last December, though the "No Surrender" opening was a rarity. Paraphrasing again, Bruce spoke before "Born in the U.S.A.," "I hope there's a peaceful solution to the situation in Iraq...get our troops home safely...I don't want to have to write this song again."
Setlist: No Surrender/The Rising/Lonesome Day/Candy's Room/Empty Sky/You're Missing/Waitin' on a Sunny Day/Promised Land/Worlds Apart/Badlands/Out in the Street/Mary's Place/Countin' on a Miracle/If I Should Fall Behind/Thunder Road/Into the Fire
First Encore: This Hard Land/Glory Days/Born to Run
Second Encore:My City of Ruins/Born in the U.S.A./Land of Hope and Dreams/Dancing in the Dark

February 20 / Somerville Theatre / Somerville, MA
Notes: The second of two benefit shows for the struggling DoubleTake Magazine, billed as "two intimate evenings of music and conversation." Tonight's show was a slightly more efficient affair: no "Souls of the Departed" and no "My Hometown." Bruce also cut the Q&A a bit shorter tonight, joking that it was the last time he'd do something like that. (Our take: C'mon audience, it's about asking interesting questions, not giving your personal testimony as to how great Bruce is.) "Blinded by the Light" replaced "Does This Bus Stop" and "For You" stood in for "If I Should Fall Behind." After "Blinded" and "Growin'Up," Bruce explicated both songs line by line and wondered why the heck Manfred Mann changed 'deuce' to 'douche' in their cover. 'Deuce coupe' was the reference Bruce was going for. We'll have to give "The Wall" a few more listens, but at this point we can tell you it's about someone standing at the Vietnam Memorial talking to a lost loved one (a comrade? a spouse?). The acoustic arrangement of "The Rising" was definitely a hard strumming version - no delicate fingerpicking here.

Setlist:
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Adam Raised a Cain
My Father's House
Blinded by the Light
Growin' Up
Freehold
Thunder Road (piano)
Nebraska
The River
Sherry Darling
Born in the U.S.A. (12-string blues)
The Wall (co-written with Joe Grushecky)
Bobby Jean
Brilliant Disguise
Stolen Car
Save the Last Dance for Me (partial)
Little Things That Count
For You (piano)
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Sinaloa Cowboys
The Rising
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land

Q&A Session: Shorter than 2/19, with no songs performed

Encore: This Hard Land

February 19 / Somerville Theatre / Somerville, MA
Notes: The first of two benefit shows for the struggling DoubleTake Magazine, billed as "two intimate evenings of music and conversation." Springsteen took the stage alone for a knockout night of, indeed, both music and conversation. The music -- mostly on acoustic guitar, a few songs on piano -- ranged from Joad tour staples (like "Adam Raised a Cain," "Little Things That Count," and "Sinaloa Cowboys") to long-lost album tracks (like "My Father's House," "Stolen Car," and "Souls of the Departed") to hits, Rising cuts, and a world premiere ("The Wall"). And then there was the Conversation part of the show -- Springsteen chatted between songs, inlcuding a line-by-line explication of "Does this Bus Stop at 82nd Street," and closed out the show with an hour-long Q&A session, taking questions from the audience after pledging to talk about anything... except his hair. Ticket: $500. Show: priceless.

Setlist:
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Adam Raised a Cain
My Father's House
Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street
Growin' Up
Freehold
Thunder Road (piano)
Nebraska
The River
Sherry Darling
Born in the U.S.A. (12-string)
Souls of the Departed
The Wall (world premiere, co-written with Joe Grushecky)
Bobby Jean
My Hometown (piano)
Brilliant Disguise
Stolen Car
Save the Last Dance for Me (partial)
Little Things That Count
If I Should Fall Behind (piano)
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Sinaloa Cowboys
The Rising
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land

Q & A Session: Includes performances of "Back in Your Arms," "Into the Fire," and "Across the Border"

Encore: This Hard Land

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