The legend of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Sea Hear Now in Asbury Park is growing. It's a Top 5 moment. "We just played on the beach in Asbury Park, one of our Top 5 shows of all time," said Bruce Springsteen last month on the UK's Greatest Hits Radio about the E Street Band's Sept. 15 Sea Hear Now headlining set. The three hour-plus performance rocked, enchanted and transfixed the 35,000 who were on the beach, and those who were in the boats off-shore in a choppy Atlantic ocean. - Asbury Park - Press/Chris Jordan
Stan Goldstein, a life-long Springsteen historian, blogger and author who has attended well over 300 Springsteen concerts from as far back as 1976 writes...
When the greatest shows in the history of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are discussed, the Sept. 15, 2024 show in Asbury Park is going to be right on top or near the top of that list.
Just an incredible evening, it was surreal. There were cheers, tears and just amazement by the 35,000 people in attendance who witnessed a legendary performance. Bruce earlier in the afternoon joined the Trey Anastasio Band for "Kitty's Back" then he traveled over to another stage to join the Gaslight Anthem for two songs, "History Book" and "American Slang." Then it was time for the main event of the festival. Bruce and the band took the stage at 7:32 p.m.
"Greetings Asbury Park," Bruce said.
1. Lonesome Day
2. Blinded By The Light (tour premiere)
Bruce before playing "Blinded" said:
"I wrote this song about 500 yards north on Loch Arbour beach. We haven't played it in a long F****** time. There's a lot of stuff we haven't played in a long f******* time. Let's see how we do?"
3. Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street (tour premiere)
4. Growin' Up
The story in the middle: "There I was, driving down Kingsley. Streets were empty. Buildings all shut down. Nobody on Cookman Avenue, nobody on Main Street, nobody on Ocean Avenue, nobody anywhere. And then I was dreaming, and when I woke up I said, "Where did all these f****** people come from? It's good to see you here! Let's hear it for Asbury Park!"
5. The Promised Land
6. Spirit In The Night
Bruce before Spirit: "I feel the moon shinin'! (It was almost a full moon out). I need an Asbury Park howl!"
7. Thundercrack (tour premiere)
"I wrote this song when I was 20 up at the surfboard factory in Wanamassa."
8. The E Street Shuffle
9. 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) (tour premiere)
"I want to dedicate this in the memory of Danny Federici tonight," Bruce said.
Couldn't be a more perfect song for a beautiful evening in Asbury Park.
10. Hungry Heart
11. Local Hero
Bruce: "I was driving through Freehold. At the time there was still a J.J. Newberry's. That's how much people remember J.J. Newberry's! It was a five and 10 cents store. You remember five and 10 cents stores? I'm driving down Main Street, I look in the window and I see this black velvet painting of a Doberman Pinscher. And I look on the other side, and I see this black velvet painting of Bruce Lee. And I look in the middle, and I see a black velvet painting of myself with the headband and the muscles and I went home and wrote this song."
Great version, love the horns throughout and especially at the end.
12. Atlantic City
13. Tougher Than The Rest
Bruce brought Patti Scialfa out for this. Well done.
14. Long Walk Home
"This is a prayer for our country."
15. Racing In The Street
Roy Bittan continues to be the best.
16. Because The Night
17. She's The One
18. Wrecking Ball
19. The Rising
20. Badlands
21. Thunder Road
Encores:
Bruce: "Wow! I'm feeling f****** old tonight but in a good way! The band, we were here on that little street corner when nobody was here. I didn't know if I would see folks in this good town again. I just want to take a moment to thank all the people that have invested themselves in Asbury Park and brought the city back. From the East Side to the West Side. I want to thank the LBGTQ-plus community for all they do. Danny Clinch, I want to thank you. Most of all I want to thank all of you for being here tonight.".
22. Meeting Across The River (tour premiere)
My favorite Springsteen song. My phone lit up with Facebook messages and texts from friends. I looked at Alexandra Jardvall who I was watching the show with, and the tears started to flow. Curt Ramm's trumpet is so beautiful here. "Change your shirt, tonight, we got style." And you knew what was coming next:
23. Jungleland
24. Born to Run
25. Rosalita
26. Bobby Jean
27. Dancin' In The Dark
28. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out
29. Twist and Shout
Bruce said: "Some of you have been out here since 8 a.m.! 4 a.m.!"
30. Jersey Girl
Show over at 10:45 p.m. for a 3:13 show.
The perfect song to top off a perfect night.
A night of pure magic on the beach at Asbury Park.
As Dudley Moore said, when asked to rate Bo Derek in the movie "10" on a scale of 1-10, he said "An 11." This show was an 11.
- Stan Goldstein
About Tramps Like Us:
"If you're a big Bruce fan, you've probably seen tribute bands... and the BEST of them all is TRAMPS LIKE US"
- E Street Radio / SIRIUS XM
Tramps Like Us brings more than 35 years of road-tested musicianship that have won this band the hard-earned distinction of the planet’s most revered Bruce Springsteen Tribute band. Given high praise by dozens of publications, radio stations, music industry personal, and the ONLY tribute band to be endorsed by members of "The Springsteen Camp" such as former producer and manager Mike Appel and the official Springsteen Radio Station: E Street Radio/Sirius XM.
Listen & read reviews here
Formed in 1990, Tramps Like Us has performed over 3000 concerts and have rocked over 1.5 million fans! Rockers and ballads delivered with the raw intensity and swagger reminiscent of the Boss himself, Tramps features a line up of seasoned and professional musicians with a repertoire of over 140 songs.
Tramps Like Us has the honor of being chosen by The NFL to perform at Superbowl XLVIII’s Media Day at The Prudential Center & The Official NFL Superbowl Tailgate Party at MetLife Stadium.
The group captures the classic Springsteen sound, and remains true to the spirit and energy of the music, while delivering them with the passion and conviction of the Boss. Unlike other "tribute" bands who attempt to impersonate or emulate their source in every respect, from looks to clothing to gestures, Tramps Like Us concentrates on the music itself. Find out for yourself why E Street Radio says "If you're a big Bruce fan, you've probably seen tribute bands... and the BEST of them all is TRAMPS LIKE US" - E Street Radio / Sirius XM.
In a worldwide hunt to find the best tribute bands on the planet, the national publication "Music & Musicians" has selected Tramps Like Us, of all other Springsteen tribute bands as the #1 Springsteen Tribute Band In World...
SEE THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE
