‘Kilkenny loves Bruce!’: Springsteen fans praise ‘phenomenal evening’ with touching tribute to Shane MacGowan

Bruce Springsteen played Nowlan Park in Kilkenny on Sunday night, kicking off the packed concert with a rendition of A Rainy Night in Soho by The Pogues in tribute to the band’s late frontman Shane MacGowan, who he visited last time he was in Ireland. Close to 30,000 fans attended the gig, the second of The Boss’s four Irish dates on this tour. He played Belfast last Thursday and is due in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork on Thursday this week, followed by Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday.

So what did our readers think of Kilkenny?

‘Full of emotion and genuine warmth’

It was a fantastic performance, full of emotion and genuine warmth towards the crowd and the venue. Three hours and 25 minutes of rock and roll, humour, craic, and real nostalgic high emotion as The Boss has become focused on those that are no longer around him – and what it means to him. There were tears a plenty in the audience! – John Huggard, Co Sligo

‘Just immense’

Best night in Nowlan Park since Kilkenny beat Tipperary in the Championship in 2013. Seen Bruce four times, but that was just immense. A touching tribute to Shane MacGowan to start, and after that, an extravaganza for the eyes and ears. – Nigel Coady, Co Wexford.

[ Brucewatch: Bruce Springsteen indulges his love for Dublin fish and chips ]

‘I just said, “WOW”’

My partner & I travelled from Portumna in Galway to Kilkenny for a meeting with The Boss. To say it was a phenomenal and incredible evening would be an understatement. When the piano played the first three notes of Rainy Night in Soho my mouth fell in complete shock, the second Bruce started to sing the words I just said, “WOW”. It was an emotional and credible tribute to our much loved icon Shane MacGowan. It’s clearly evident why Bruce is known as The Boss. – Órla Kennedy, Co Galway.

‘Kilkenny loves Bruce!’

Fabulous concert by The Boss. If anyone needed convincing that Bruce loves Kilkenny then tonight should convince even the most staunch doubter. And Kilkenny loves Bruce! In a highlight-strewn performance the first song, A Rainy Night In Soho, a tribute to the late Shane MacGowan was my particular favourite. But truly the whole concert was a highlight. Loved it and would love to do it again tomorrow and the day after! – Pat Murphy, Ballymoney, Co Antrim

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

[ Bruce Springsteen in Cork: Everything you need to know about Páirc Uí Chaoimh concert ]

‘Full of special moments’

What a night! Bruce treated those in the pit with an acoustic version of This Hard Land hours before the real party started and what a party that was. Great to see the sign requests back in these shows which kept the fans and band wondering what was coming next. The night was full of special moments with the audience. Great venue and the fabulous weather made it an unforgettable night. – Sarah Moore, Co Dublin

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