Experience the highlights from Bruce Springsteen’s legendary Philadelphia show. Read about the tour premieres, crowd energy, and unforgettable moments from a night to remember.
On Friday night in Philadelphia, Bruce Springsteen delivered a performance that will go down in history. As he concluded his final song, “Shout,” Springsteen exulted with a triumphant shout of “Bruce is loose!”—and indeed he was.
Reflecting on 2014, Springsteen often remarked, “The older you get, the more it means.” Friday night’s show epitomized this sentiment. It was a deeply memorable evening, one I’ll proudly recount as “I was there in Philadelphia.” The show clearly held immense significance for Bruce as well.
The energy from the Philadelphia crowd was electric, and Springsteen fed off their enthusiasm throughout the evening. Known for its legendary crowds, Philadelphia did not disappoint. The magic of the night was palpable, although the “River” segment might not have been the tightest of the tour—Albany had its moments—the overall performance was outstanding.
Two tour premieres heightened the experience: “My Love Will Not Let You Down” and “Jungleland.” The show was the longest of the tour, lasting 3 hours and 27 minutes, featuring 33 songs.
The evening began at 8:04 p.m., with Bruce taking the stage and asking, “Philadelphia! My brothers and sisters! Are you ready to be entertained?” The crowd’s response was a resounding yes.
The set kicked off with “Meet Me In the City,” followed by Bruce’s heartfelt commentary about "The River". He described it as his coming-of-age record, reflecting a transition from outsider to a more introspective artist.
Bruce’s voice was notably rough at times, such as during “Independence Day.” A humorous moment occurred during “Hungry Heart,” when Bruce’s crowd surf led to some saxophone trouble for Jake Clemons, prompting Bruce to quip, “Just do your best.”
Before “I Wanna Marry You,” Bruce shared a nostalgic memory of his first kiss, linking it to his song “In Freehold.” He dedicated “The River” to his sister Ginny, highlighting their struggles during the Jimmy Carter recession.
Standout moments included a memorable intro to “Point Blank,” where Garry Tallent shone, and impressive guitar solos by Nils Lofgren and Steve Van Zandt during “Cadillac Ranch.” Bruce signed autographs during “I’m a Rocker,” and introduced “Stolen Car” as his first song about relationships.
A highlight of the night was “The Price You Pay,” a fan favorite that continues to impress. Bruce shared an interesting tidbit about “Drive All Night,” mentioning it was recorded in one take in 1977, with a bit of “Dream Baby Dream” and “Dream On” mixed in.
The show featured wildcards like “Atlantic City” and “Prove It All Night,” the latter of which brought back memories from the 1978 Darkness tour. A surprise performance of “My Love Will Not Let You Down” further fueled the crowd’s energy, earning praise from Tom Cunningham who texted, “The band is on fire!”
Despite some crowd fatigue over “Wrecking Ball,” the Philadelphia audience responded enthusiastically when Bruce mentioned “Giants.” Patti Scialfa joined for “Human Touch,” although her performance had some off-key moments. Max Weinberg’s drumming on “Human Touch” was exceptional.
The night’s crowning achievement was “Jungleland.” Even with a minor lyrical slip, the performance was electrifying, enhanced by Jake Clemons’ powerful sax solo. Bruce’s emotional reaction to the crowd’s response was evident as he soaked in the moment.
The tour’s consistent closer, “The Rising,” was an audible choice, with Steve Van Zandt showing off some dance moves. Bruce took a moment to fully appreciate the audience’s enthusiasm during “Thunder Road,” and the legendary “Philly Elvis” made a fun appearance during “Dancing in the Dark.”
The show concluded with “Shout,” a fitting end to an unforgettable night. The encores, including the timeless “Rosalita,” exemplified Philadelphia’s rich history with Springsteen’s music. Bruce’s introduction of band members and mention of Garry Tallent’s new album added personal touches.
Photographer Frank Stefanko, known for capturing the covers of “Darkness” and “The River,” was on hand, adding a special touch to the night.
If you’ve read this far, thank you for joining me in reliving this extraordinary show. It was a truly remarkable evening. - Stan Goldstein
