A curious mind

A night I want to remember, and share with those that didn’t have the luxury to be there in person.

All started with plans to go to Gothenburg, an arena where I still haven’t had the chance to experience the Man. I’ve seen him in many places, but Ullevi that seem to hold many legendary Springsteen stories, is one I really would like to see him in.
Sadly those plans got ruined by a terrible cold. That got me quite sad, and it felt even worse when I read about the evening. It truely sounded like it was another amazing and legendary Ullevi Springsteen show that I missed.

- Heck, it can’t be like this! It’s not fair, I have to see one Wrecking Ball show.

I decided that I should do the only thing left to do. I should see him on the last night of the Europe Wrecking Ball Tour 2012. I should go to Helsinki two days later – yesterday!

I booked tickets, which surprisingly where still available for the Helsinki date, jumped on a plane, took the bus to the grand central and from there walked with the crowd to the Olympic stadium in Helsinki.

The gates opened at 17.00, and I arrived at the aren around 18.00 well in time to see him, since the show wasn’t supposed to start until 19.00.

As I walked down the arena field to find a good spot, did I realize that somethin was different than usual. Some lunatic was already on the stage, telling stories and fiddeling with an acoustic guitar.

Pre-gig performance

Then I heard the person labelling the front row audience as stalkers. There is only one person who can do this, the Boss himself. He was already on stage to give a little bit extra this last Europe tour night. This was without doubt mainly for the people who had followed him around Europe to see him on several occations.

He collected a few signs with song wishes and played them like a troubadour, on his own, aucusticly to a not even half empty stadion.

I melted into the crowed and got immediate goose bumps, not for the last time this evening. It was just fantastic to see him like this, it was initimate, close, unpolished and joyful. I have never seen him play before a concert like this before.

This was and evening filled with energy from start to end. There are so many highlights from the show that I have a hard time remembering all and choosing which to talk about. The opening with Rocking’ all over the world was just great. I set the level for the evening at one, deliver, deliver, and deliver. Waitin’ on a sunny day where a young boy got to sing the chorus several times. Born in the USA the was delivered loud, I mean extremely loud. Every beat felt like a punch in the chest. The contact with the crowd on the front rows. The warm celebration of Mr. Big C. Lofgren’s guitar solo in Because the Night. The moments line up, one after another, there are just too many to list them all. Believe me, this was crazy night!

I wish I had seen the Ullevi show on the 28th, but, in retrospect, I wouldn’t trade it for the Helsinki night. Not a chance, this was an amazing evening. The Boss and his band really creamed out everything on a record breaking four hours and six minutes long show. I really didn’t wanna go home!

Thank you Bruce, this is an evening I will remember for life!
Tracks before the show

1. I’ll Work for Your Love
2. Leap of Faith
3. No Surrender
4. For You
5. Blinded by the Light

Main

1. Rockin´all over the world
2. Trapped
3. Out In The Street
4. Loose Ends
5. Prove it All Night
6. We Take Care Of Our Own
7. Wrecking Ball
8. Death to My hometown
9. My City of Ruins
10. Does This Bus Stop At 82nd Street
11. Be True
12. Jack Of All Trades
13. Dowbound Train
14. Because The Night
15. Lonesome Day
16. Darlington Country
17. Light Of Day
18. Shackled And Drawn
19. Waitin’ On A Sunny Day
20. Back In Your Arms
21. The Rising
22. Badlands
23. Land of Hope and Dreams

Encore

1. We Are Alive
2. Born In The USA
3. Born to Run
4. Detroit Medley
5. Glory Days
6. Dancing in The Dark
7. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
8. I Don’t Want To Go Home
9. Higher And Higher
10. Twist and Shout
11. La Bamba