Music

Bruce Springsteen in Belfast: Fans give their verdicts - ‘I would follow Bruce around the world if I could’

The Boss has kicked off his four-date Irish tour in style and the fans have spoken

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band performing at Boucher Road Playing Fields in Belfast on Thursday. Photograph: Liam McBurney

Ellen O’Donoghue's face
Ellen O’Donoghue
Fri May 10 2024 - 15:20

Bruce Springsteen kicked off his four-concert Irish tour at Boucher Playing Fields in Belfast on Thursday in front of some 40,000 fans. Our reviewer said it was a five-star performance from the vintage rocker.

So how was the 74-year-old’s first Belfast gig in more than 10 years received by his oh-so-loyal fans? Here’s what they said.

[ Bruce Springsteen’s first Irish gig of 2024: The Boss kicks off in Belfast with No Surrender, then builds a momentous set ]

[ In pictures: Bruce Springsteen in Belfast ]

‘Badly out of tune’

‘I hate to be *that guy* but many of the songs were simply badly out of tune and the band wasn’t big enough to paper the cracks in my opinion. Very few seemed to care but I felt let down in a sense especially at £100+ ticket prices.’ – Gareth Anderson

‘Energy and melancholy’

‘What a fantastic return to Belfast, the warm summer weather reminiscent of his last visit in 2013. A mixture of energy and melancholy, embraced and returned by the crowd with pleasure, applause and song.’ – Michael Wilson, Belfast

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[ The Boss in Belfast: Tell us what you thought ]

‘He had the enraptured crowd in the palm of his hand’

‘Springsteen’s Boucher Road performance was really impressive. From the second he took to the stage he had the enraptured crowd in the palm of his so, so talented hands. The E Street Band were incredible – such skilled musicians. It was lovely to see Nils doing his dance routine – new hips being put through their paces. The wall of sound driven by the mighty Max was a privilege to listen and dance to. Can’t wait for Croke Park’ – Anne O’Hea, Armagh

‘I’m still buzzing’

‘It’s the morning after the night before and at George Best airport for my flight home after seeing The Boss last night. I was one of the lucky purple wristband wearers (arrived early) and got into The Pit for the first time. I felt I had the luck of the Irish and am still buzzing from a superb concert. I have seen Bruce many times and would follow him around the world if I could! I may be 66 but he makes me young at heart!’ – Rachel Clarke, Cornwall

‘Bruce loves it’

‘Question why he still does a tour? He seems to absolutely love it.’ – Bart Wijn

Next up for Springsteen is a date at UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on May 12th, before moving on to Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, on May 16th, and wrapping it up in style at Croke Park in Dublin on May 19th.

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