Music

So Bruce and the band are on a two week break before the tour resumes in Tampa, which coincidentally, was the first show after Danny's death last April. It's been a while since I've heard the opening song, Backstreets, from that show's bootleg. Time always seems to stand still when I listen to that 'organ-less' version.

Anyway, what's with all these setlist posts, you might ask? Have I become too obsessed with the Boss? What's the point of all this, really? The answer is, I don't fucking know. Maybe it's just to remind myself how great the music is, and how much he really mixes up his live shows. Seriously, if all his setlists were as static as U2's, I wouldn't see a point in putting 'em up here. So far on this tour (and the previous one), the band has never played the same show twice. This goes to show the constant, undying level of commitment they put forth to their audience and how much they're willing to challenge themselves night after night after night. I don't say this often, but I'm fucking proud to be a fan of Bruce Springsteen.

And because of his music, I started to branch out and discover many more artists across the vast rock & roll spectrum, and of course, other genres I've rarely touched previously. I've often pondered on this profound question. What does it mean to be a music fan? Sure, we're all fans of music, right? I don't know anyone who doesn't like music. But I know a lot of people who claim to be hardcore music fans. Well, the meaning's very subjective. To quote a line from 'Almost Famous', They don't even know what it is to be a fan. Y'know? To truly love some silly little piece of music, or some band, so much that it hurts.

....so much that it hurts. I totally believe in that statement. Simply put, to REALLY love a band or artist, one must go to their live shows. It could be just once, it could be hundreds of times, but it all boils down to one simple fact; the live concert is THE place to experience music in its purest form. That's the reason why I'm flying to Australia this November to see Pearl Jam. And no, I'm not crazy.

Aug 25 -- SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY

Jay plays the whole show.

1. No Surrender
2. Badlands
3. Radio Nowhere
4. Outlaw Pete
5. Spirit In The Night
6. Working On A Dream
7. Rendezvous
8. Atlantic City
9. Johnny 99
10. Darkness On The Edge Of Town
11. Summertime Blues (sign request)
12. Two Hearts (sign request)
13. Surprise, Surprise (sign request)
14. Because The Night
15. Waitin' On A Sunny Day
16. The Promised Land
17. Racing In The Street
18. Lonesome Day
19. The Rising
20. Born To Run
21. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)

22. Girls In Their Summer Clothes
23. Thunder Road
24. American Land
25. Bobby Jean
26. Dancing In The Dark
27. Hungry Heart

Aug 23 -- Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA

1. Night
2. Badlands
3. Out In The Street
4. Outlaw Pete
5. It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City
6. Working On A Dream
7. Murder Incorporated
8. Johnny 99
9. INDEPENDENCE DAY
10. I'm Goin' Down (sign request)
11. You Never Can Tell (sign request)
12. Janey Don't You Lose Heart (sign request)
13. Prove It All Night
14. Waitin' On A Sunny Day
15. The Promised Land
16. The River
17. Lonesome Day
18. The Rising
19. Born To Run

20. Girls In Their Summer Clothes (sign request)
21. Thunder Road
22. American Land
23. Glory Days
24. Dancing In The Dark
25. Twist And Shout
26. Hang on Sloopy
27. Growin' Up
28. Hungry Heart

Aug 22 -- Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA

1. Jackson Cage (w/ Max)
2. She's The One
3. Working On The Highway
4. Hungry Heart
5. Outlaw Pete
6. Badlands
7. Working On A Dream
8. Seeds
9. Johnny 99
10. Point Blank
11. Raise Your Hand
12. Burning Love (sign request)
13. For You (sign request)
14, Trapped (sign request)
15. Waitin' On A Sunny Day
16. The Promised Land
17. If I Should Fall Behind
18. Backstreets
19. Lonesome Day
20. The Rising
21. Born To Run
22. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)

23. Detroit Medley (w/ Jay)
24. Hard Times
25. American Land
26. Dancing In The Dark
27. Born In The U.S.A.
28. Twist And Shout

Aug 19 -- Comcast Theatre, Hartford, CT

Back in the USA: opening night of the final leg.

1. Sherry Darling
2. Badlands
3. Out In The Street
4. Outlaw Pete
5. Spirit In The Night
6. Working On A Dream
7. Seeds
8. Johnny 99
9. Murder Incorporated
10. Something In The Night
11. Raise Your Hand
12. Mountain Of Love (sign request)
13. SHA LA LA (sign request)
14. I'm On Fire (sign request)
15. Be True
16. My Love Will Not Let You Down
17. Waitin' On A Sunny Day
18. The Promised Land
19. American Skin (41 Shots)
20. Lonesome Day
21. The Rising
22. Born To Run
23. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
24. Thunder Road

25. Hard Times
26. American Land
27. Dancing In The Dark
28. Twist And Shout

November 14: Members Equity Stadium, Perth, WA

At 9am this morning, I was a nervous wreck. 5mins later, I was jumping for joy. Buying concert tickets can sometimes be a scary experience. Though the rate of tickets being sold usually depends on venue size and artist popularity, I never take any chances. So I finally get to go to my first (but hopefully not last) Pearl Jam show!! I managed to score a decently good seat at the side, pretty close to the stage. Could've gone for GA, but I'd probably see shit if I'm standing on a level field with thousands of taller people in front blocking me. The ticket is categorized as 'Gold Reserved Seating' and it costs 132AUD, pretty steep for a stadium show. But since the show also includes opening acts Liam Finn (son of Crowded House's Neil Finn) and Ben Harper & Relentless7 (never thought I'd see 'em again), I guess it's kinda worth it.

Now, it seems that all the AU/NZ shows have almost sold out within the first day. That's pretty impressive, considering that Pearl Jam has a strong fan base down under. After watching the new Backspacer promo video (kudos to the 10c), I'm really psyched for their new album. After hearing the Fixer and Got Some, I've a feeling this is gonna be their tightest one yet. I'll be sure to give my review come late September :)

Wave Goodbye: NIN Concert Review

Last night was my first show since Springsteen. I was pretty lucky to be able to see Nine Inch Nails, considering this is their last tour ever. I've heard many good things about their live shows, and they didn't disappoint at all. Probably the best use of lights I've ever seen, even surpassing Coldplay. I didn't think it'd be possible to cram so many lights onto such a small stage. Also, this is the loudest concert I've heard by far, despite being held in an outdoor venue. And I mean real, fucking loud. Trent Reznor was in great shape and showed plenty of energy right from the start, though he didn't really interact much with the suprisingly small crowd. This show is one for the books.

Somewhat Damaged
Terrible Lie
Heresy

March Of The Pigs

Piggy
Reptile
Closer
I'm Afraid Of Americans (David Bowie cover)
Burn
Gave Up
La Mer
The Fragile
The Frail
The Wretched
Non-Entity
Gone, Still
The Downward Spiral
Wish
Survivalism
Echoplex
The Day The World Went Away
The Hand That Feeds
Head Like A Hole

Hurt

Tour Review/Preview

Now, I really can't give much of a review, only having seen one show. And even after one month, I'm still talking about it! As we all know, Bruce always plays his best shows in Europe, and this year's stadium leg was just as good, if not better than last year's. Setlist wise, we've seen more tour premieres than anyone could have asked for -- all thanks to those pesky sign requests! I won't be surprised if they play every song off from Tracks before this tour is over, which is every hardcore fan's wet dream. There'll definitely be more 'stump the band' opportunities in the States. Speaking of which, rumor has it that Chicago is gonna hear Born To Run in its entirety! It'd be great to see if Bruce can manage to play other albums during their shows. Maybe one different album for each of the five nights at Giants Stadium?

The band will also be playing at Madison Square Garden, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Other acts include Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel, and Crosby Stills & Nash. Can't wait to catch this one on HBO. The idea of Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, David Crosby and Stevie Wonder performing together on stage is pretty fuckin' cool.

The post-concert summertime blues have almost gone away, but something tells me this might be the last time we'll be seeing the E Street Band on stage. Bruce said he'll be taking a break from the band and start working on his side projects. Possibly another solo effort or resurrecting the Seeger Sessions band. He also specifically said this ain't a farewell tour for E Street. Still, you gotta be doubtful whether the guys can last even five more years. But hey, if bands like the Stones and The Who (at least half) can last for more than forty years, I don't see a reason why the E Street Band can't :)

On the other hand, the year ain't over yet! I got Nine Inch Nails next week and Elvis Costello in October. But the big one is Pearl Jam this November. The only problem is that I gotta travel down to Australia for them, something which I'll gladly do without much thought. Easier said than done though. With school exams right during that time, my chances are looking pretty slim. But then again, I'll never forgive myself if I don't do this. I've already regretted not seeing Dave Matthews Band on their first night at Brixton. Call me crazy, but seriously, not being to see my favorite bands live has almost become a matter of life and death. I'll have to see how, come August 17, when the tickets go on sale. Cheers for now.

Aug 2 -- Monte Do Gozo, Santiago, Spain

The final show in Europe before the band heads back to the States for one last run.

1. Badlands
2. Out In The Street
3. Hungry Heart
4. Outlaw Pete
5. Spirit In The Night
6. Working On A Dream
7. Adam Raised A Cain
8. Murder Incorporated
9. Johnny 99
10. Darkness On The Edge Of Town
11. Raise Your Hand
12. BURNIN' LOVE (!!)
13. BORN TO BE WILD
14. My Love Will Not Let You Down
15. Waitin' On A Sunny Day
16. The Promised Land
17. This Life
18. Backstreets
19. Lonesome Day
20. The Rising
21. Born To Run

22. NO SURRENDER (Acoustic)
23. Land Of Hope And Dreams
24. American Land
25. Glory Days
26. Dancing In The Dark
27. Rockin' All Over The World
28. Twist And Shout
29. Born In The U.S.A.

Aug 1 -- Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain

1. Badlands
2. No Surrender
3. Night
4. Hungry Heart
5. Outlaw Pete
6. Spirit In The Night
7. Working On A Dream
8. Seeds
9. Johnny 99
10. Trapped
11. Raise Your Hand
12. GREAT BALLS OF FIRE
13. Something In The Night
14. Surprise, Surprise
15. My Love Will Not Let You Down
16. Waitin' On A Sunny Day
17. The Promised Land
18. Girls In Their Summer Clothes
19. American Skin (41 Shots)
20. Lonesome Day
21. The Rising
22. Born To Run

23. Seven Nights To Rock
24. American Land
25. Bobby Jean
26. Dancing In The Dark
27. Twist And Shout