Hyde Park, London
“The Castiles: 3 years; The E Street Band: 50 Years”
The 73 year-old rock n' roll legend initiated a career-spanning set within the nation's capital - beseeching every ounce of sweat and energy within 3 hours.
Since its inception 10 years ago, many a legend has graced the oak tree-encased stage within London’s capital greenery: The Rolling Stones reliving their infamous 1969 gig; Bon Jovi’s fist-pumping glam-rock mania; Lionel Richie’s ballad-pop stardom. Tonight, the band formerly known as The Castiles, incited Bruce Springsteen and his glorified E Street Band to grace their presence accompanied by guitarist Steve Van Zandt, saxophonist Jake Clemons and 16 other tried-and-tested musicians.
For the highly-anticipated set on this balmy Saturday night, an unorthodox opener of ‘My Love Will Not Let You Down’ (disc 3 of 4 in an unreleased-track compilation album) imminently set this beloved tone of ballad-driven, heart-throbbing rock n’ roll, injected into the sutures of the 60,000 crowd. Much like his contemporaries (Jagger, McCartney etc) his stiffened strutting alongside those heaving against the front barrier, desperate to exchange awkward handshakes and trembling hand-holding, became a detriment to the inevitable yet familiar “woah”s within ‘Out in the Street’ which waned throughout. A surefire factor why the likes of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan remain adamantly seated.
Luckily, a divulgence into Springsteen’s jazzier, funk-approved discography re-focused our attention to the musical brevity of his iconography. ‘Kitty’s Back’ initiated dazzling piano refrains, blurting brass sections and a variety of rhythmics soulfully jostling for the crowd’s utmost approval. As the rain showered us to steaming effect (timely within the cries of “let it rain” within ‘Mary’s Place’) it was Springsteen’s recital of his 1973 LP, The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, which marked an glorified likeness to James Brown’s brass-fuelled repertoire, complete with the interchanging drum solos between drummer Max Weinberg and steel drummer Ernest Carter to see out the pinnacle of the album's title track.
Acquainting the thousands in attendance with the 18-strong entourage on-stage, Springsteen wielded an encore of magnanimous proportions: propelled by the instantly-recognisable synth riffs pertaining ‘Dancing in the Dark’, an 80's-throwback frenzy within the sweltering, midsummer heat. Whilst the booming anthemics of ‘Born to Run’ came and went far too soon, ‘Tenth Avenue Freeze Out’ accosted us for a funk-fuelled rendition as pictures of the late Danny Fedirici and Clarence Clemons consumed our sympathetic attention - a poignant touch toward the lasting legacy of this ever-evolving act supporting Springsteen.
Having perfected his infamous frontmanisms over the past 50-odd years, Springsteen signaled himself as something symbolic of The Pope within his latter years: littered with fan-scribbled signs as far as the eye could see; infinite askings of his harmonica or a petty handshake; and the impermeable bass-toned screamings of “Bruuuuce”. For this show was a biopic retelling of this household name, yet the end result left some stale-tasting residue in the mouth. A scarcity of enticing inter-track segues, devoid of pyrotechnics/glittering confetti/lighting for its ending, and no happily-unexpected twists and turns in tonight's setlist (including special guests). Alongside it all, the gaping vastness of such an outdoor festival consumed much of the charged sounds disseminating into thin air, in parts struggling to capture the vocal ferocity laid bare on-stage as the hallmark of Springsteen's repertoire.
Instead, the revered 73 year-old stuck to the tried-and-tested arsenal of hits gone by, swapping his days of jumping from sound systems and stage dives for a plethora of instrumental solos and intermittent heartfelt speeches. For Springsteen (akin to his aforementioned contemporaries) will forever be ingrained into the psyche of those hungry for ballad-driven rock n’ roll - beyond the past 50 years of music's history - especially with the legacy of tonight’s mammoth 3-hour reminder to those young and old on his everlasting impact.
6.5/10
Bruce Springsteen's latest LP, Only the Strong Survive, is out now via Columbia Records and can be found below.
Photo is courtesy of Dave Hogan whose work can be found here.
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