On a perfect 70-degree evening, a large crowd filled Citizens Bank Park as WXPN blasted Bruce Springsteen tracks, building anticipation for a concert that had been over a year in the making. The wait was worth every moment. The Boss stepped onto the stage, smiled, and kicked off the show with “Atlantic City.” That opening song alone set the tone for what would be a night full of joy, with the massive crowd enjoying three hours of unforgettable music.
The E Street Band was in top form, with Steven Van Zandt and Nils Lofgren on guitar, Garry Tallent on bass, Soozie Tyrell on violin, Roy Bittan on piano, Max Weinberg on drums, and the noticeable absence of Patti Scialfa. Sax player Jake Clemons (Clarence’s nephew) stood out from the touring band, especially during the early performance of “Night.”
Bruce Springsteen | photo by Joe Del Tufo for WXPN
The main set delivered hit after hit — “Hungry Heart,” “She’s the One,” “Night,” “Badlands,” “The Rising,” and “Thunder Road,” as well as covers like the Commodores’ “Nightshift” and Patti Smith’s “Because the Night.” Just when it seemed like the concert couldn’t get any better, it did. “Spirit in the Night” was a standout, with the crowd chanting, “Can you feel the spirit, can you feel the spirit now?” repeatedly, shaking the stadium. “Streets of Philadelphia” was a major highlight, making its first appearance since 2016, and led into an electrifying rendition of “Racing in the Street.” And the performance of “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” with Jake Clemons playing while a giant screen displayed images of his late uncle Clarence, was a goosebumps moment.
Then came the encores: “Born to Run,” “Rosalita,” “Bobby Jean,” “Dancing in the Dark,” “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” “Twist and Shout,” and a solo acoustic “I’ll See You in My Dreams.” It was like an entire concert packed into the encore.
Three hours and ten minutes. Thirty songs. Who else does this? Who can sustain this level of connection? Check out photos from the show below; Bruce Springsteen returns to Citizens Bank Park this Friday, August 23rd.