On Sept. 7, singer Bruce Springsteen performed at Nationals Park to an eager crowd of over 40,000 fans. One of many stops on his world tour with the E Street Band, Springsteen played 29 songs during the three-hour concert.
The concert began just minutes after sunset as each member of the E Street Band walked onstage. After much anticipation, Bruce Springsteen appeared, outfitted in a black vest and tie. The band opened with “Seeds” — a driving, angry ballad about an individual afflicted with financial woes.
The complete setlist, featuring several of his greatest hits, included songs from 12 albums spanning five decades. “Born to Run” — his third studio album released in 1975 — contributed five songs, and select covers included tunes by The Top Notes, Patti Smith and Commodores. Despite being almost 75 years old, Springsteen played with passion throughout the show; the Washington Post called his stage presence “indestructible.”
Fans welcomed the glowing reviews with great relief. Springsteen’s U.S. shows, previously scheduled for summer 2023, were postponed due to health issues and tentatively rescheduled. Having been diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease, the singer once lamented to USA Today that he “couldn’t sing at all,” prompting worry and rumors of retirement. Despite the setbacks, however, he is now back on the road with no intention of giving up touring: “I ain’t going anywhere,” he announced at a Philadelphia concert. On Aug. 15, Springsteen kicked off the North American leg of the “Springsteen & E Street Band 2024 World Tour” in Pittsburgh, Pa. The tour will finish the North American leg of the tour before resuming the tour in Europe.
Springsteen’s newest tour marks his first live return with the E Street Band since 2017. The band, which celebrated 50 years of collaboration with the songwriter this September, features 17 supporting members altogether and is named after a street in Belmar, N.J.
With 50 years of songs to choose from, the extensive setlist ranged from thoughtful to political to personal. Springsteen closed the set with a seven-song encore, which included some of his greatest hits like “Dancing in the Dark” and “Bobby Jean.”
Sophomore Grant Cummins, who attended the show at Nationals Park with his parents, described it as “a very fun concert,” although “very crowded.” Cummins, whose favorite moment in the show was “Dancing In The Dark,” also reminisced on a special moment after the encore when Springsteen sang an acoustic solo rendition of “I’ll See You in My Dreams.” “That was really cool,” he gushed.
Author and longtime Springsteen fan Beth Py-Lieberman also remembered her experience fondly. “The energy of a Bruce Springsteen concert is indescribable,” she said. “You have to experience it to understand it.” Py-Lieberman also described how Springsteen makes her feel seen: “He tells our stories.”
Even after decades of making music, Springsteen remains one of the most famous rock singers of all time. His lyrics still resonate with people today, young and old alike.
Springsteen’s world tour will continue through summer 2025 and conclude in Milan, Italy. Official tickets are available online through Ticketmaster.
