Eleven years since the last time we saw Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band in Gothenburg, Sweden, it was long due to see them again, this time in Copenhagen. Like then, the band played two shows in the same venue, and like our tradition, we were there for both of them.
The shows were supposedly sold out since last November, which translates into approx. 50,000 people every night.
As planned, 20:00 sharp – or actually 1 minute earlier – the E-Street Band came on stage. From the first opening chords of No Surrender at the first night, it was clear that the band was on top form. The Boss was supported by the veterans E-Street members, Little Steven, Nils Lofgren, Roy Bittan, Garry Tallent, and Max Weinberg, but also Jake Clemons, Soozie Tyrell, Charles Giordano, an amazing Horn Section and backing singers. Patti Scialfa was not present in any of the two concerts.
Keeping with the tradition, the show was extra long, lasting just a bit short of 3 hours every night. The playlist was not exactly the same – five songs out of the total 27 – were different each night. Highlights included the interaction of Springsteen with his audience, the touching moment when he dedicated “Last Man Standing” to his former bandmate of The Castiles and close friend, George Theiss, who passed away in 2018, the video dedication to Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici during Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, the performance of Glory Days and the interplay between Springsteen and Little Steven, two songs from our personal favourite Wrecking Ball album, and Nightshift with amazing horns and sensational vocals by Curtis King.
Despite the similarities between the two setlists (only five songs were different), which was quite unexpected, listening and watching the E-Street Band for 6 hours in total, in two days, and 27 songs each night, was a very emotional and fulfilling experience. Can’t wait to see the E-Street Band again.
Sakis Nikas and George Anasontzis
photos by: Stephen Martin (Undercover Boss from Belfast)
Setlist 11-07-2023
No Surrender
Ghosts
Prove It All Night
Letter to You
The Promised Land
Out in the Street
Darlington County
Working on the Highway
Kitty’s Back
Nightshift
Mary’s Place
My Hometown
The River
Last Man Standing
Backstreets
Because the Night
She’s the One
Wrecking Ball
The Rising
Badlands
Thunder Road
Encore:
Born to Run
Bobby Jean
Glory Days
Dancing in the Dark
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Encore 2:
I’ll See You in My Dreams
Setlist 13-07-2023
My Love Will Not Let You Down
Death to My Hometown
No Surrender
Ghosts
Prove It All Night
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Letter to You
The Promised Land
Out in the Street
Darlington County
Kitty’s Back
Nightshift
The E Street Shuffle
Johnny 99
Last Man Standing
Backstreets
Because the Night
She’s the One
Wrecking Ball
The Rising
Badlands
Encore:
Born to Run
Bobby Jean
Glory Days
Dancing in the Dark
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Encore 2:
I’ll See You in My Dreams
