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E street shuffle cover band6/14/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() Yet, again, Springsteen is many things, and a stadium-rock artist is just one epithet failing to give the whole range of his artistry. What comes next isn't perhaps what one would expect by a stadium-rock act. Whatever the reason, "Candy's Room" is high-velocity, complete with hi-hat intro and a climatic guitar solo underpinned by a unremitting, driving beat. Or maybe he wants to prove the point that at the age of 73 he can still deliver a show in excelsis, and have an audience in the palm of his hand. Perhaps due to the fact that this is likely the last E Street Band tour. There is a focus to the concert unlike any other of his from previous tours. It's song after song with no breaks, no pauses, no second guessing, and no false starts: Springsteen is here on business, not for fun. And, musically, Lofgren's arpeggiated chords on an acoustic guitar, Charlie Giordano's swirling organ, and Springsteen's twangy guitar coalesce to seal the message. During "Letter to You" there are French subtitles on screen connection between the artist and his fans has never been as realised. And throughout the show, it seems that Springsteen takes more of the lead guitar parts than he has on previous tours. When it comes to the guitar solo, Springsteen soaringly delivers, echoing the tone and the intensity from the '78 tour. To double down on the subject matter of the band giving everything they have, and, no matter wherefore, they steamroll ahead with "Prove It All Night". Working as a prelude, its story of life and death, of music and remembrance, is the motif of this well-structured show. Perhaps not so much to reassure himself as to remind others that they are alive, not merely spectators on the periphery watching life unfold. Then they're straight into the pulsating "Ghosts", where Max Weinberg wallops a floor tom, jangling guitars ring out, and Springsteen bellows out the chorus of "I'm alive". It is performed at a break-neck speed, and when a triad of guitar solos played simultaneously by Nils Lofgren, Steve Van Zandt, and, of course, Springsteen, converge, the message is clear: the E Street Band may not be at the height of their powers, but they will give everything they got, and more, in attempt to reach it tonight. Sparing no time, the trusty E Street Band launch into "No Surrender", which on this tour becomes an anthem of not ceding to ageing-the opposite of the rock 'n' roll mantra of live fast die young-and the result is utterly profound. ![]() Welding his Telecaster, he receives a warm reception of "bruuuce" mixed with applause and cheers. With a slow yet dignified gait, Springsteen, chiselled and tan, shuffles onto a dark stage, illuminated by a single spotlight. I feel so fortunate to have been able to witness these two shows. I wrote the piece below the morning after the first concert. On both nights, his dogged determination to deliver a high-quality concert with outstanding performances was evident. The four day break from their last gig in Dublin showed. Springsteen and the band's high energy levels on the first night was mesmerising. After a busy few days seeing both of the Paris shows and taking in the city, I finally have the time to share some of my thoughts. ![]()
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