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‘What a night of pure joy’ – Bruce Springsteen fans give their verdict on ‘corker’ Croke Park gig

The Boss played his final Irish concert of this tour in the capital on Sunday

Bruce Springsteen and Steve Van Zandt with The E Street Band at Croke Park on Sunday. Photograph: Tom Honan

Ellen O’Donoghue's face
Ellen O’Donoghue
Mon May 20 2024 - 11:52

Bruce Springsteen rocked up to Croke Park on Sunday, May 19th, for the final date on his four-concert tour of Ireland.

He had kicked off his Irish tour on May 9th at Boucher Playing Fields in Belfast, delivering an “immense show”. He then moved on to Nowlan Park in Kilkenny, where he gave a passionate rendition of The Pogues’ A Rainy Night in Soho in tribute to the late Shane MacGowan. Fans told The Irish Times it was a “performance full of emotion and genuine warmth” and “a phenomenal and incredible evening”.

Last Thursday The Boss kicked off at a damp and wet Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork with a cover version of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Who’ll Stop the Rain. Almost everyone in the 40,000-plus crowd was left a little teary eyed when he closed with another performance of Rainy Night in Soho. Earlier, he played several songs suggested by members of the crowd holding placards, including Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.

But what did fans in Croker reckon on Sunday?

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[ Bruce Springsteen in Croke Park: Give us your verdict ]

[ Review: Bruce Springsteen closes Irish tour with emotion-filled Croke Park gig ]

‘Lost none of his energy’

Saw him almost 40 years ago in Slane and he has lost none of his energy, Brilliant performance with a superb band ... Bruce looked like he was enjoying himself and so were the crowd. He played a lot of the old favourites and had the crowd on their feet. He finished with Rainy night in Soho, just brilliant! – Eithne McIlroy, Belfast

Ageing well

The Boss gets better with age! – John McCabe, Co Dublin

‘Exhilarating’

This was simply phenomenal. The music, the energy, the no-frills rock’n’roll, the genuine back to basics raw honesty were all phenomenal. What a night of pure joy. Springsteen’s love of his music, his exceptionally talented band members are infectious. It was exhilarating to be in Croke Park to experience a concert for the ages – Stephen Connolly, Co Dublin

‘Phenomenal’

Spectacular concert he was phenomenal! I was happy, sad, laughing and crying. First time to see him. – Sheila Foy, Co Meath

‘Brilliant’

Saw Bruce in Croke Park, and saw him the first time he played in Ireland in Slane in 1985. A brilliant concert tonight. – Orla Whelan, Dublin

‘Controlled and majestic’

Corker in Croker, after Dancing in the Páirc! Dublin was a superb conclusion, with some interesting inclusions, such as Reason to Believe. A very different feel to the other three Irish gigs but it was controlled and majestic. Cork was perhaps more intense and focused, Belfast and Kilkenny highly accomplished, showing Springsteen has stadium rock nailed with enough variety inserted to a steady spine to hold devotees’ interest as well pleasing newbies and casual attenders. Overall, a class act with great humour and humanity, plus sublime musical accomplishment over the four quite different nights, united by their uniform high standard. Some outstanding moments and phases in each. Perhaps an upgrade even from 2023? – John Coyle, Belfast

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