Cincinnati, OH 3/22/08 Bruce Springsteen

March 22, 2008
Cincinnati, Ohio
U.S. Bank Arena

Lizzy and I left Indy the day before. A lot of trouble at first since my phone wasn’t working, but we got that sorted through the power of the internet. Phone ended up being fine, and we were on our way to Cincinnati. Spent most of the day in the hotel room resting and posting on the internet until that night when we had some great BBQ at a place I seriously can’t remember all of a sudden. Next day I check out and walk with my stuff over to arena. Lizzy was already there and had number 15, and I got 31. I had nothing to eat that day, so we walked around trying to find a place. I settled for Skyline Chili and saw a bunch of other people with wristbands. We head back to the line around 4 since it was from 1 to 4 instead of the normal time due to The Who disaster 30 years prior. We waited around for awhile freezing. I ended up being introduced to Johnny and his brother-in-law Dave through the woman who sold me a ticket. She happened to sell the other ticket to Dave. It’s crazy how we meet up and make new friends. I found out I had a free ticket to Anaheim night 1 earlier, so now I was looking for night 2. Johnny said he may be able to help and took my email address. It just so happens that went into my spam folder and we didn’t talk again until San Jose when we saw each other in line. Luckily, I had a ticket by then.

I start talking to a couple from near my hometown although across the river, and I tell the wife that I want number 14 to be drawn in the lottery. Why? I have absolutely no idea. It would make sense for me to say 15 since Lizzy was 15. Well, 14 was drawn! 14 wasn’t there and Lizzy went in first! Due to some people not being there I end up going in about 14. Lizzy, myself, Johnny, Dave, and the couple I was talking to all end up elbows on stage! Elbows on the freakin’ stage! Seriously? So nice. This guy Tom was at his 197th show. He wanted so badly to be against the stage instead of second row. He actually offered me $150 and I said something about $300. He said he would give me $200. I stepped back to look from his position and stepped back to my spot. I still wonder if I should have done it, but I just couldn’t. Not only would I feel bad taking his money, but I think I would feel worse knowing I was once in the front spot. Although Dave had no qualms. He took the $150 and stepped back a couple of feet. I guess we all won.

When the band opens with Darlington County I assumed it would be a fun, fast-paced night. These different openers every night really add something to the show. Radio Nowhere sounded better this night than previously, and I think it’s a real powerhouse live. It leads into Lonesome Day which I’m glad to hear again.

Gypsy Biker is solid just as the other night and Magic once again haunting. From these two songs we slam right into Reason to Believe. The band seems on a mission with the fast pace of the show. Seriously no breathers. I can gush about Reason to Believe all night long, so I’ll just say it is even more enjoyable from the front spot of the pit. Bruce stopped in front of me to play harmonica and sing into the bullet mic. I was giddy to say the least.

Candy’s Room into Prove It All Night was great. I really enjoyed hearing two Darkness songs together right before She’s The One started. I’m not sure I like this as much as The Rising tour, but it’s always great.

Livin’ in the Future and Promised Land were strong. I realized how great it is to have these two songs back to back. One about what’s happening to this country and the other about the desperateness to fit in, find oneself, stand up for oneself, etc. They work well together.

Bruce points at a sign for the next song and what do we get? Be True! I used to really love this song, but not as much anymore. Although hearing it live reminded me of how great it is. A fantastic treat. And if I thought that was fantastic I was blown away with the next song. The tour premier of LOST IN THE FLOOD!!!!! This show was my eight Bruce show ever. I still haven’t heard Darkness On The Edge Of Town, but Lost in the Flood is tied as my favorite with it and Murder Inc. At first I was dumbfounded that I was hearing this before Darkness. Then I was still dumbfounded because, well, I was hearing Lost in the Flood and the tour premier at that! The performance is amazing! The band nails each and every note, and, yes, I cried. I’m standing front row, slightly to Bruce’s right, and I’m crying for at least half the song. This is a real song! Epic.

Next up are the songs we expect in this spot and for me Last To Die and Long Walk Home are the standouts. And back to back these songs are intense. I love it. The band leaves and comes back to perform a tour premiere of Glory Days. By no means is this song my favorite, but it is so much fun live. And maybe at this age it is starting to mean more to me. I mean this is my Glory Days, yeah?

Born to Run is next, and the version is great! Although I’m front row, so I get to strum Bruce’s guitar! I also make sure to touch the thighs and calves…again. You can’t blame me. I did every time I got the chance. :-D
Dancing in the Dark I didn’t really want to hear again, but it’s fun. I can’t complain. American Land was just as fabulous as the night previous, but this time even more fun because Bruce was inches from me most of the time. At one point he did his jump toward the crowd and Lizzy and I thought he would jump on us. I couldn’t complain about that. It was like he paused in mid air as I saw him come my way.

Although the band was now done. They played for something like 2 hours and 5 minutes. That is really short! Although the audience was cheering the crew was dismantling the stage. To my surprise Bruce came back out with the band. The band seemed confused, but the lights went down and everything was moved back into place as Bruce started Kitty’s Back! The performance was pretty good and aided by the impromptu performance.

The show closes out around 2 hours and 20 minutes. I can’t complain. For those who seem to think it is the worst show ever I say you need to be there. I liked that the band came back onstage for Kitty’s Back. They didn’t have to. Also, Lost in the Flood was worth the price of admission alone. How in the world could I complain? Glory Days was also a tour premiere. That is still saying something.

Oh, and Lizzy and I bought a dry erase marker board before the show. We shared it throughout the night. I wrote “I heart Stevie” on mine, and at one point he looked and mouthed “oh really?” to me. And at the end of the night I wrote “Pick Me Steve!” and Lizzy drew a guitar pick. Stevie and Garry laughed at it and after American Land he came over and handed me a pick! What a great night.

Darlington County
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
Gypsy Biker
Magic
Reason To Believe
Candy's Room
Prove It All Night
She's The One
Livin' In The Future
The Promised Land
Be True
Lost In The Flood (Tour Premiere)
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last To Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands

Glory Days (Tour Premiere)
Born To Run
Dancing In The Dark
American Land

Kitty's Back

Indianapolis, IN 3/20/08 Bruce Springsteen

I'm quite behind on my reviews obviously. This is the first of eight
done if we count Dallas coming up.

March 20, 2008
Indianapolis, Indiana
Conseco Fieldhouse

I swear my reviews are books sometimes. I just get way too excited
about music especially Bruce. I'll keep the review a little leaner
this time.

All right, so this was my spring break. I went to Indy, Cinci, and
Columbus. I left Springfield, MO at 11:30 p.m. by Greyhound headed
for St. Louis with a transfer and I was on my way to Indy. I arrived
around 9:30 a.m., and I wandered around the city the rest of the time
waiting for 2:00 p.m. That was too much walking with my backpack that
carried my laptop and clothes for the week.

A little after 2:00 I went to the arena and got my wristband. I was
number 83. I was tired after all the traveling, not much sleep, and
walking around during that time. I saw two girls about my age
talking, so I went over to them. We talked a bit about Bruce, and I
realized one girl looked familiar. I asked her if she ever posted on
any Bruce message boards. She told me her username, and I told her
mine. I was surprised because by chance we started talking and met.
To think we've known each other online for 5 years though hadn't
talked much recently. Lisa was with her, and we became friends. To
think I met Lizzy and Lisa this way which is the reason I made it to
the California shows is kind of crazy.

Anyway, we hung out a bit and went to Hard Rock to eat before the
show. We all got into the pit and were two rows back on Clarence's
side. We met a few other people within our age group which was great.
I joked we should have made a big circle and danced during the show.
Lisa kept saying The Ties That Bind would start the show I think. I
said it would be Night. Lo and behold I was right! Great opener it
was too. Naturally Radio Nowhere was the second song, and seeing as
this was my first show this tour Lisa was dying for me to hear it.
Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to our expectations. It seemed
the band kind of stumbled with the opening of the song. I'll consider
that the only stumble of the night.

I appreciate Lonesome Day more than I did on The Rising tour. I've
always loved the song, but the studio version just slays me nowadays.
Needless to say, I really enjoyed hearing it live. Prove It All
Night I can never tire of. Right now I have a friend getting into
Bruce, and when I hear this song I think of the excitement he has when
he talks about it. I wonder if he'll keep that excitement once he
finally hears it live. I have to think he will because I have.
Gypsy Biker isn't a top favorite from Magic, but nonetheless it is
great. I like it more live, and have a lot of fun singing the final
verse. It can't just be me. Maybe it is.

Magic is just surreal. I love the lyrics, the meaning, and hearing it
live with Soozie is wonderful. I know some won't agree, but I prefer
her over Patti.

Reason to Believe!!! I think saying the song title is enough. This
song is freakin' fantastic. If it was great before then it is amazing
now with the new version. I never want to stop hearing this song this
tour. Before the show I must have heard it on various boots from the
tour 35 times. It really gets you moving and singing along. It's
hard not to.

Tour premiere of Rendezvous at this show. What a night! I love this
song! I remember when I got the CD it was my favorite from the get
go. I didn't see this coming at all, and right into Because The Night
we go. I'm not sure I could tire of this live. I mean sure I might
want to hear something else sometimes, but this song is smokin'. I
realize every time I see Nils live how much more I appreciate him than
I think I do. She's the One is next, and I think the two songs go
very well together. I love hearing the harmonica and Bruce's
yelps/noises/whatever I should call it.

Livin' In The Future is my favorite song from Magic, so hearing it
live for the first time was a real treat. Not only do I love the
lyrics and music, but I completely agree with what Bruce has to say
before the song starts.

Next is The Promised Land, but before the song starts Bruce speaks of
a guest. I was wondering who in the world it could be see we were in
Indy. DANNY!!! What a surprise! Lizzy, Lisa, and myself were going
nuts. From there on the night really picked up and it was great to
see the band be so happy that Danny was there. Promised Land was
intense as always and felt better than ever before to me. And since
Danny was there we get Spirit In The Night! I love this song so much,
and had only heard it once previously with Vini Lopez as guest on
drums in 2003. Bruce and the band were on fire, and who doesn't like
watching Bruce and whatever he decides to do with the mic stand. ;-)
After this Danny actually pulls out the accordion for Sandy! Wow.
Some people still haven't heard this song live and this was my second
time. I'm not a big fan of Sandy, but I always enjoy it more live.
This performance was really special.

Devil's Arcade, The Rising, Last To Die, Long Walk Home, and Badlands
come along next to no surprise. All were great to hear especially
Last to Die and Long Walk Home. These songs are my second and third
favorites from the new album. Hearing Last to Die live made me
realize just how great it is. The desperate beauty of that song is
killer. Long Walk Home is a lot of fun to sing along to, and I'm
really glad that Stevie has his own part to shine on while the crowd
sings along. Badlands is just as great as ever. I'll never tire of
singing along to "it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive."

For the encore Danny came back out which was great. We get a
wonderful Backstreets and then one of the best versions of Kitty's
Back. Well, I think so anyway. I really love the jazzy sound of the
song. It is so much fun plus I am always willingly to watch Bruce
break out into a solo. Born to Run is a powerful mainstay as always
and Dancing in the Dark is a lot of fun to sing to and interact with
Bruce and the band. Hannah was the lucky girl that Bruce pulled from
the crowd to dance to. That was really cute and fun to see until I
learned more later on.

American Land closes, and this is my first time to hear it live. I
loved it before, and I love it more now! You can't help but clap,
jump, and sing along. This is one of the best closers ever. I don't
see any reason to stop with it. The lyrics are so powerful too. It
ties up all the meaning that Bruce is trying to get across these days.
I have to say this is one of the best Bruce shows I've seen. Granted
it was only number seven and not one hundred, but I thought the band
was smokin' and just playing and having fun like never before or at
least more so than they have had in a long, long time.


Night
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
Prove It All Night
Gypsy Biker
Magic
Reason To Believe
Rendezvous (Tour Premiere)
Because The Night
She's The One
Livin' In The Future
The Promised Land
Spirit In The Night
4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)
Devil's Arcade
The Rising
Last To Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands

Backstreets
Kitty's Back
Born To Run
Dancing In The Dark
American Land