The Artemio Franchi appears on the big screen. It is set against the backdrop of the sunset colors and a few scattered clouds. Like a mirror, the entire stadium reflects on the screens beside the stage. Over 40,000 people are present, there just for him, waiting with bated breath. "Once Upon a Time in America" by Ennio Morricone in the background. The E Street Band takes its place on the stage. My watch reads 8:26 PM when finally, on that stage, he steps up. His image replaces that of the Franchi on the big screen. I simply can't believe I'm there.

It starts surprisingly with "Badlands". It continues non-stop for another three and a half hours. About thirty songs, among old pieces and tracks from the new album. A mix between old and new, from "Wrecking Ball" to "The River", from "Land Of Hope And Dreams" to "Hungry Heart", from "Shackled And Drawn" to "The Rising". Heart racing, simply going crazy. Completely out of control. The euphoria peaks with "Born In The USA" followed immediately by "Born To Run". Tears during "Dancing In The Dark", tears that mix with the rain which, from the beginning of the concert (more or less) until the end, never stopped falling on Florence. Even the sky seems to weep for the return of the Boss, ever stronger, without mercy for the fans. "Waitin' On A Sunny Day" almost seems like an invitation for the rain to give us a break. But no luck, the water keeps falling. The crowd resists, Bruce takes a shower with us.

Throughout the evening, the Boss proposes some covers: "Honky Tonk Woman" by the Stones, "Trapped" by Jimmy Cliff, "Burning Love" by Elvis, a thrilling "Twist And Shout" by the Beatles, and a final and very ironic "Who Will Stop The Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. A tribute to Clarence Clemons with "Tenth Avenue Freeze Out", a long applause.

Bruce seeks the audience, goes among the frenzied fans, takes away a few posters. He picks up a girl during "Dancing In The Dark" and dances with her. He brings a child on stage to sing "Waiting On A Sunny Day". The relationship with the public is extraordinary. HE is extraordinary. The E Street Band is extraordinary. A Jake Clemons worthy of his uncle.

Three and a half intense hours, without breaks. The attention never wanes, not even during the slowest pieces. The Boss is worthy of his nickname: he dominates the scene, he knows how to lead the crowd, he knows how to thrill the audience. And, at almost 63 years old, he doesn't seem to want to give up on his big concerts, doesn't seem to want to give up on his fans, doesn't seem to want to retire. This is a great artist, this is a man.

The show ends around midnight. People seem to realize only then that buckets and buckets of water are pouring down on our heads. As far as I'm concerned, it could have snowed: nothing and no one could have moved me from my spot in the stands.

A fantastic concert, an evening full of energy, full of emotions. The rain didn't stop us, on the contrary... Maybe it made everything even more fun. That man together with his band unleashes an absolute, irresistible force.

The rain didn't stop. But neither did we.

The best concert of my life. Absolutely.

Unforgettable. And maybe also indescribable... I don't think I can convey the idea of what it was just with words.

"Bring on your wrecking ball."

SETLIST:

"Badlands"
"No Surrender"
"We Take Care Of Our Own"
"Wrecking Ball"
"Death To My Hometown"
"My City Of Ruins"
"Spirit In The Night"
"Be True"
"Jack Of All Trades"
"Trapped"
"Prove It All Night"
"Darlington County"/"Honky Tonk Women"
"Burning Love"
"Working On The Highway"
"Shackled And Drawn"
"Waitin' On A Sunny Day"
"Apollo Medley"
"The River"
"The Rising"
"Backstreets"
"Land Of Hope And Dreams"
"Rocky Ground"
"Born In The U.S.A."
"Born To Run"
"Hungry Heart"
"Seven Nights To Rock"
"Dancing In The Dark"
"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"
"Twist And Shout"
"Who’ll Stop The Rain?"

 

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