Springsteen - 2.5hr set

[HastingsBoy]

Can't begin to explain how excited I am at the prospect of seeing Bruce at Glasto. If you'd told me last year this was the case I'd have laughed...that said, I've held off commenting (too much) because even I -as I die-hard- am finding the fervant reverence in here pretty oppressive and if I was a non-believer, I might be tempted to give him a body-swerve on that basis. "You HAVE to listen to ALL his albums in order, best live act on the planet" etc etc...there's no doubt the announcent would have raised a few eyebrows but I was really looking forward to the uninitiated having a gander out of curiosity and seeing what the guy can do, just like five of my (by no means fanatical) mates did last summer when they accompanied me to Dublin. They all had a blast and -at the very least-have a respect for the guy.

But I'm slightly concerned the devotees on here are so evangelical they're actually turning potential viewers off the Boss (ironically, exactly the type of hype he railed against all them years ago on his first trip to London).

Have to say this though Neil -and please don't take it the wrong way mate, as you've said all along Springteeen would be there and you've been proved right, for which I am eternally grateful- that comment is beneath you. You admit you don't know much about the guy and say "Santa Clause was hardly..."; which, and please correct me if I'm wrong, is a bit like me saying "I know Paul McCartney's supposed to be massive, played and sold millions but all I heard was that one he did with Micheal Jackson (The Girl Is Mine and it was so bad...").

Not looking for a flame war. Your posts are (for obvious reasons) invaulable here..but pre-announcement you seemed pretty pro-Boss; and since it was made public I've detected a certain relish in sticking the boot in?

Again, tell me if I'm wrong...

[SoCalMusicLover]

What I have seen several times is people going to his concerts out of curiosity and coming away very pleased that they attended. I have a couple of friends who disliked Springsteen based primarily on knowing little more than Born in the USA. I persuaded then to come along and see him and they enjoyed it enormously.

Now, I'm not saying that everybody that goes along to the Pyramid stage will enjoy him, we all have different tastes, but there is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that Springsteen has the potential to turn in a blistering set.

[ralph250]

To be fair it's a festival slot, he's lucky he is getting 2 1/2 hours.. means other acts will need to get less on the Pyramid that day

[Wooderson]

I actually meant the video, followed by wonderwall horribly out of tune.

I personally thought his set was awful and left after about a half dozen songs, but that entrance was pure class, and exactly what he needed to do.

[benisright]

I have seen Bruce some 30+ times Live, and I can say with all honesty, that he is one of the most bland and boring performers out there.

He's probably going to only play stuff off his most recent couple of albums, which are not the most exciting in his career. I doubt there will be any time left for "greatest hits," so those not really familiar with his recent material, will find themselves regretting their decision to attend.

I encourage all of the doubters to skip his set, and hit up one of the other stages.

And this has nothing to do with any desire on my part, to get a better location on the field for his show. I just don't want anybody to be disappointed with having to endure 150 minutes of this has been, and his inexperienced backup band.

[chrisdebag]

Im willing to let you have your opinion, im not like the other bruce obsessives here. He can be bland to people and boring. Thats fair enough. Different strokes for different folks.

But he doesnt just play his most recent material (even though that would be expected at his own concerts supporting an album) and his band arent inexeperienced by anymeans. So i have absolutely no idea where you are coming from in that regard.

[b26354]

but have you ever seen him handle a crowd that isn't rammed with Bruce obsessives?

[SoCalMusicLover]

i do believe that SoCal was having a joke

the clue is in the fact he has seen him 30 plus times

[incident]

Bloody hell.

1. Anyone moaning about other acts missing out due to the set length has no point whatsoever. Last time anyone tried to count, it was figured that there's well over 50 venues at the festival, with at least 30 hosting regular live music. If any act really wants to play then a spot could most definitely be found for them. The Pyramid is not the only stage, and most of the time it's not the best stage.

2. Some Springsteen fans are equally as bad - if someone says they don't like Bruce or his music, then that's their opinion and that's fine. They don't need to be met with a flood of YouTube clips "proving" them wrong.

I'm a massive Bruce fan - I'd say obsessive is a fair description - but I don't see the need to try and convert the "non-believers". It's getting more than a little embarrassing on here.

3. Of course Santa Claus isn't the height of musical workmanship. But that's missing the point entirely. It's a bit of fun, something which is lacking far far too often in modern music.

[Dark Star]

Spot on! I consider myself a big fan, have all the albums seen him 7 times but all you Bruce nuts need to calm down a bit because it's the Springsteen can do no wrong attitude which winds people up. There are some really dodgy tracks on the latest album and his early 90's output was patchy to say the least. Yes he's a great performer, but whether he can hold non-believers attention for 2 1/2 hours is another matter. I have to say the last time I saw him (Crystal Palace in 93) I found my attention wandering at times especially on some of the weaker "Rising" tracks. All I can say is give him a chance for 5 songs and if he's not your cup of tea then there's plenty of other wonderful stuff going on.

[SoCalMusicLover]

I'm a massive Bruce fan - I'd say obsessive is a fair description - but I don't see the need to try and convert the "non-believers". It's getting more than a little embarrassing on here.

3. Of course Santa Claus isn't the height of musical workmanship. But that's missing the point entirely. It's a bit of fun, something which is lacking far far too often in modern music.

[pinback]

I remember the same exact types of posts on the New Orleans Jazz Fest message boards, when it was announced he was playing in 2006 with the Seeger Sessions Band.

Afterwards, people were raving about the show, some saying it was the most appropriate performances they had seen at Jazz Fest. Those who missed or skipped it, ended up posting about how much they regretted their decision, upon hearing how great a set it was.

Perhaps people on this board will be posting on 6/28, about how he kept getting Boooed off the stage. I'd rather see him with 8,000 people than 80,000, so I hope more people stay away.

[incident]

I disagree. there are many stages, but I don't think bands should be allowed to go on for hours because of this. I think they should play festival sets to respect the festival audience, not the same set they played the night before on a European tour to promote their new album It's indulgent.

[SoCalMusicLover]

You guys should be thankful he's old these days. When I saw him on Closing Night of the BITUSA tour in '85, he played 4+ hours.

The whole night my friend kept saying, "I hope he plays Glory Days, I hope he plays Glory Days." I was getting sick of it. Then, after Midnight, he closed the show with it.

[Wooderson]

Bloody hell.

Some Springsteen fans are equally as bad - if someone says they don't like Bruce or his music, then that's their opinion and that's fine. They don't need to be met with a flood of YouTube clips "proving" them wrong.

I'm a massive Bruce fan - I'd say obsessive is a fair description - but I don't see the need to try and convert the "non-believers". It's getting more than a little embarrassing on here.

[Tugger2k]

A brilliant post as usual from you chief. People need to read this and take it on board. I for one aint gonna bother with the toerags that knock The Boss on here any more.

[Wooderson]

you arse

[Tugger2k]

Evening mate.

[Robbie_D]

How am I going to hold my water for two and a half hours after drinking all day?

[Wooderson]

yes, and to you to. ive stayed out this so far but might have to have to have my two-penneth shortly

so, at least it looks like he's been limited to 2.5 hours, i had visions of him coming on stage at 5pm

[Tugger2k]

How am I going to hold my water for two and a half hours after drinking all day?

[strudders]

its really easy when your in a coma, which should set in 10 mins into the set

[somecoolusername]

This has pretty much set in stone what I was already planning on doing:

Watch Franz on the other stage, then head over for the end of Bruce as I'm not aware of much of his stuff, but do have plans of getting my mits on a greatest hits or something, somewhere down the line (gimme some credit, I'm only 16, he's just passed me by a bit), but I do wanna catch some of a show which has such a reputation for being the stuff of legend, y'know?

My plan will probably be ruined upon the announcement of the other stages, however.

[SJ121]

This has pretty much set in stone what I was already planning on doing:

Watch Franz on the other stage, then head over for the end of Bruce as I'm not aware of much of his stuff, but do have plans of getting my mits on a greatest hits or something, somewhere down the line (gimme some credit, I'm only 16, he's just passed me by a bit), but I do wanna catch some of a show which has such a reputation for being the stuff of legend, y'know?

My plan will probably be ruined upon the announcement of the other stages, however.

[ferraristu]

OMG

never read such shite

If you dont like him, dont watch him

If you like him - watch him

Its dead easy