Bruce Springsteen Hyde Park

Bruce Springsteen at Hyde Park, the man machine The singer, who is in his eighth decade and is aware of his impending death, does not yet break a sweat during his demanding physical performances for large crowds.

Bruce Springsteen had the Hyde Park crowd in the palm of his hand from the moment the first members of his band entered the stage until three hours later, when he walked off the stage. The entire set was utilised, and by the time he finished, we were all clamouring for more.

It was nearly impossible to contain a smile the entire time. It's difficult to decide which was better: the music, Bruce himself, or the simply perfect energy of a crowd that was ecstatic to be there with him. With barely a pause in between songs, the band performed them, with Springsteen giving every word his all.

His smile was so wide when he spent time with the crowd, often turning to face his band, that you got the impression that Bruce Springsteen would love to attend a Bruce Springsteen show. He played the majority of the set from centre stage but frequently wandered down to the front row to shake hands with audience members and gift harmonicas and plectrums to a lucky few.

He definitely loves playing with The E Street Band, who were outfitted to look like a group of dads out for dinner on vacation. Every word he sang felt authentic and honest, and his one eyebrow rose when he struck both angelic high notes and gravelly low ones. His enthusiasm didn't waver. This dude clearly enjoys what he does. Steve Van Zandt, who was dressed to the nines like a pirate, was the one he most frequently called out to join in.

It was touching to see two men express their friendship so sincerely and freely, and that same enthusiasm spread across the audience as men flocked to their hero like adoring teenagers. He once had a crimson trilby placed on his head, and he gamely wore it while cocking it cheekily and singing "Darlington County" before putting it back on the person's head.

Springsteen doesn't interact much to his audience, and the only time he did was to introduce "Last Man Standing" and recount the history of his original band, of which he is currently the sole surviving member. Even though I'm sure he's told this tale numerous times throughout this tour, it felt fresh and authentic, and his emotions were just as cutting as they were the day he wrote the song.

Even if you weren't as familiar with the songs as the diehards who grew up with Springsteen in the Seventies and beyond, the first two hours of the show - what a strange thing to say about a show - were enthralling. But in the final third, when we were repeatedly hit with "Born In The USA," "Born To Run," "Glory Days," and "Dancing In The Dark," the ecstasy reached its peak. As the sun set behind the throng, there were smiles, hugs, dancing, fists in the air, and tears.

It didn't feel like effort, but this was a master at work. Both the crowds in Hyde Park and Bruce Springsteen and his band felt as though they were receiving a special treat. Even though three hours seems like a long time, it went so quickly. I would do it all again tonight. 

Bruce Springsteen Hyde Park