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The Boss was back tonight as the US rocker thundered into Cardiff for the city’s biggest gig this year.
Bruce Springsteen fans were out in full force from the early hours today ahead of tonight’s concert. And the 63-year-old didn’t disappoint.
After a half-hour wait in which the packed-out audience bristled with anticipation, Springsteen launched onto the stage with a gospel-inspired rendition of This Little Light Of Mine, before kicking into classics including Born to Run, Badlands and Glory Days.
It was The Boss’ second visit to the city’s Millennium Stadium after his sell-out Magic tour in 2008 and, this time, some of the singer’s most die-hard fans camped for days to secure their front row spot in “the pit”.
Part of his Wrecking Ball World Tour, Springsteen was in the city with his E Street Band.
A ticketing system operated to allow the first 1,000 fans to secure their front of stage standing positions. Each fan was given a number in order of their attendance and then came back at an allotted time to get ticked off the list.
Thomas Ivy, 53, from Newport, who had been queuing since Monday afternoon, said: “I’m lucky because I live close by so I’ve been travelling back and forth to the stadium, others have been camping in tents.
“I have been a fan of Bruce Springsteen since the Born To Run album. His music is so special, especially live. When he plays Thunder Road it’s energetic and alive.”
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Clive Netherway, from North Devon, said: “We left home at 5am Monday morning to get into Cardiff at 7am.
“I can’t remember a time where I’ve not liked Springsteen. It’s been passed down to my daughter through listening to vinyls and playing CDs in the car.”
Brogan Thomsen travelled all the way from Seattle, on the US west coast, for the gig, having only discovered Springsteen earlier this year.
“I only found out about Bruce four months ago and now I’m a crazy fan – I’ve been to six concerts so far,” he said.
“The system is very calm, they walk you in to the front row instead of other concerts where people charge in – and that’s all organised by the fans.”
Dewi Jones, 49, said: “We’ve done this before so we know the score, have to get here early.”
His son Steff, 16, added: “Bobby Jean is such a good song and is my favourite. I can relate to the lyrics and that’s the thing about Springsteen, you can relate to him in a lot of different situations.”
Chris Baker, 44, who travelled from Derbyshire, said: “Springsteen kind of speaks with humanity. He’s the man of the people and throughout all of his career he’s stayed true to that ideal. So I think for me he’s a pure songwriter and a pure star.”
By Emily Isaac, Charlie Trotman and Elena Cresci
