And so my search for Rod the Mod continues. This was the third time I had seen Rod Stewart over the past 6 months or so: Newcastle Arena at the end of last year, at the Albert Hall a few weeks ago as part of the Jeff Beck Tribute concert and now he returns to the North-East again, this time for an outdoor concert at Durham Cricket Ground which is situated in nearby Chester Le Street.
Each time I hope for old classics and Rod returning to the days when he was a spiky haired mod and had Ronnie Wood by his side in The Faces. And each time he delivers. Alongside the Las Vegas Rod Stewart, every now and then, he returns to the past and takes me back to my youth. Of course at the Albert Hall he really did have Ronnie Wood by his side.
First, the not so good side of the evening. It was pouring with rain all night and we got absolutely drenched. Also on the way in they were offering tickets at the door for 2 for £10, quite annoying when I paid full price for my tickets. Apparently only 5000 or so tickets had been sold out of 15,000. I would put this down to the fact that it is only 6 months since Rod played in the North-East. Also maybe some people would have come along on the night if the weather had been better, but as I said, it was sadly raining heavily all evening. But let’s quickly move on to the positives because this was still a great concert.
The support act was none other than Boy George and Culture Club. We arrived in time to catch most of their set including great versions of their hits “Church of the Poison Mind”, “Time”, “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” And “Karma Chameleon”. All played with George’s usual classic style. Excellent. George also returned to his roots and played a great cover of T Rex’s “Get It On”.
After a short break Rod took to the stage. He opened with a great version of the late, sadly missed, Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” and then I was transported back to 1971 and memories of Sunderland Top Rank and Sunderland Locarno with Rod the Mod singing “You Wear It Well”. Another Faces memory with “Ooh La La” and seeing that tour at Newcastle Odeon. Back to Robert Palmer territory and “Some Guys Have All the Luck”. Excellent so far. Soon it is another classic “Baby Jane” and memories of when that song was released and seeing Rod at Ibrox Stadium Glasgow. Apologies for all the reminiscences but please bear with an old guy and his memories 🙂
More classics follow: “I Don’t Want to Talk about It”, Cat Stevens’ “The First Cut Is the Deepest”. Then we are right back to 1971 again and “Maggie May”. I forget that I am drenched, this is classic Rod and at 78 he is still on great form. “I’d Rather Go Blind” is dedicated to the late Christine McVie. A few more songs and then Rod hands over to the female singers to deliver “I’m Every Woman”.
Rod returns with a new outfit and is joined by Boy George. George explains that the next song “The Killing of Georgie” means a lot to him personally, and how his mother gave it to him as a present in a brown paper bag. It was her way of letting him know that she realised he was gay. Rod and George deliver the song together and it is very appropriate and very moving. George explains that he has to leave because his Nan is not well.
A few more songs and then it is back to the female vocalists, a final rest and costume change for Rod and “Lady Marmalade”. Rod returns for “Stay with Me” which of course takes me back again. Rod do you really still need to sing “Do You Think I’m Sexy?”?. Finally I am back in Newcastle City Hall for his first solo tour, the single of the time and the usual closing song “Sailing”. Massive singalong. We (Jackie, Elaine and I) all enjoyed it even though we were completely soaked.
Thanks to Rod for another great evening and to Jackie for taking the photos.
Setlist: Addicted to Love; You Wear It Well; Ooh La La; Some Guys Have All the Luck; Having a Party; Baby Jane; Forever Young; I Don’t Want to Talk About It; The First Cut Is the Deepest; Maggie May; I’d Rather Go Blind; Young Turks; Downtown Train; Rhythm of My Heart; I’m Every Woman; The Killing of Georgie; You’re in My Heart; Tonight’s the Night; Have I Told You Lately; Lady Marmalade; Stay With Me.
Encore: Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?; Sailing.
So, off to Leeds we went to see the mighty 
A short taxi ride took us from the station up to the Arena, in time to catch the support act who were a German heavy metal band called 
I have followed Iron Maiden since the very early days when Paul Di’Anno was the singer and the first single was “Running Free”. I remember seeing them at Sunderland Mecca and at Newcastle City Hall with Def Leppard as support act. I have seen them several times more over the years and always enjoy their concerts. I know what to expect and sure enough Maiden delivered as usual. Lots of guitar solos with mad antics and shape throwing from the three guitarists: original Dave Murray, long-term member Adrian Smith and north-east lad Janick Gers who used to be in a local band White Spirit, and who I saw several times in the early 1980s.
Steve Harris, on bass guitar, founder member and leader commands the stage alongside singer Bruce Dickinson who I first remember as Bruce Bruce in Samson, a New Wave of British Heavy Metal band led by guitarist Paul Samson and with drummer Thunderstick who performed with a leather mask from within a cage; I kid you not. And last but by no means least is long-term drummer Nicko McBrain.
Iron Maiden drew their songs from throughout their extensive catalogue. The recipe remained as always: superb guitar histrionics, Bruce’s soaring operatic vocals and Steve’s thundering bass driving the band forward. Great visuals and backdrops, including some of Patrick McGoohan (“I am not number, I am a person”) for song “The Prisoner”. We manage to catch quite a bit of the show but, as I expected, we need to leave before the end to catch the train back to Durham and then our taxi home.
We all enjoyed the event, with Jackie and even Elaine agreeing that Iron Maiden were superb. Oh, and I must not forget the mascot monster Eddie who appeared as a golden, gun toting, cowboy complete with gold Stetson during the first part of the set. I am sure he must have reappeared after we left.
So, my conclusion about travelling to shows in Leeds is that it is worth doing so for bands I really want to see as long as I am prepared to miss out on the last part of the concert. Such is life these days. I guess I can’t have everything.
Setlist: Caught Somewhere in Time; Stranger in a Strange Land; The Writing on the Wall; Days of Future Past; The Time Machine; The Prisoner; Death of the Celts; Can I Play With Madness; Heaven Can Wait; Alexander the Great; Fear of the Dark; Iron Maiden.
After George’s passing in 1967, his widow Faye continued to manage the group and their success grew until they become a household name. The Drifters had many hits on both sides of the Atlantic and they were, quite rightly, inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 1988.
Further success and accolades followed. In 1993 The Drifters were requested by the President of the USA to perform at the White House and in 2004 they were listed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top 100 ‘Greatest Artists of All Time’.
Faye Treadwell passed away in May 2011 and then her daughter Tina Treadwell continued to manage The Drifters and their legacy. Tina has recently launched a new version of The Drifters and intends to take their story to the West End and Broadway. (Some of the above adapted from material on The Drifters official website).
It was this completely new version of The Drifters which I saw at Billingham Forum on Saturday night (a very appropriate evening on which to see this band). So, the members and the voices have changed many times over the years; yet the songs and the soul of the band remains constant. You know what to expect: lots of singalong, many hits which you have forgotten and a great evening of pure nostalgia and joyous entertainment.
That is exactly what we got. The show cleverly used video of Tina Treadwell introducing the band and their history, sections of covers of songs by Ben E King and Motown classics, all put together to ensure maximum entertainment. By the end of the evening everyone in the house was up and dancing. I knew almost every song. A few years ago, out of musical snobbery and would not have contemplated going to see this band. However today I have come to the point where I recognise music for what it is: an opportunity to get out and have some great fun.
Setlist: (Something like) Set 1: On Broadway; Under the Boardwalk; This Magic Moment; There Goes My First Love; Come on Over to My Place; I (Who Have Nothing); Spanish Harlem; Stand by Me; Fools Fall in Love; Down on the Beach Tonight; Hello Happiness; I Count the Tears; Dance With Me; Save the Last Dance for Me.
Set 2: Kissing in the Back Row; When My Little Girl Is Smiling; My Girl; Get Ready; I Can’t Help Myself; It’s the Same Old Song; Uptight; Some Kind of Wonderful; Up on the Roof; Like Sister and Brother.
A journey to York to see a classic band. It doesn’t get much better. The Crescent is a lovely community venue that presents some great acts. This is the nearest place in the North-East that 
I have seen Soft Machine a few times over the years since the early 1970s. The last time I saw them was at Kendal Arts Centre, another lovely venue. So, I figured it was time to renew my acquaintance with Soft Machine and their music.
The Crescent proudly announces the band thus: “Soft Machine is one of the greatest UK avant/jazz-rock bands of all time. Their work, from their earliest performances as a psychedelic band, who were contemporaries of, and shared stages with Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, all the way to being one of Europe’s best known ‘fusion’ bands has influenced several generations of bands, and continues to be name-checked by today’s hip experimentalists.
Whilst the line-up of Soft Machine may have changed many times since the heady days of the late 1960’s, the band’s spirit of musical adventure, and the ease with which it freely avoids being pigeon holed and can move from powerful progressive jazz fusion to atmospheric psychedelia to free improvised jazz-rock to ambient loop music continues to make it both unique and totally contemporary.”
Soft Machine were formed in mid-1966 by Robert Wyatt (drums, vocals), Kevin Ayers (bass, guitar, vocals), Daevid Allen (guitar; who would go on to form Gong) and Mike Ratledge (organ). The band members would change many times over the years with Mike Ratledge fronting Soft Machine up until the mid-1970s when guitarist John Etheridge joined and became front man. The current line-up features John Etheridge on guitar, Asaf Sirkis on drums, Theo Travis on saxophones and Fred Thelonius Baker on bass. We take our seats close to the back with a great view of the entire stage.
The concert starts at 8:15 p.m. and is in two parts. The music is, as expected, all instrumental, quite jazzy and moves effortlessly from guitar led tracks during which John Etheridge takes to the fore and flute or saxophone led tracks featuring Theo Travis. All pleasant, challenging, mood provoking with many twists and turns. Fred Thelonius Baker takes front stage for some thundersome bass during some tracks and new drummer Asaf Sirkis (who has only recently joined the band, stepping into the shoes of John Marshall a member since 1972) also takes some solos. After a short interval and time for a lovely double Drambuie, the band return to the stage.
The music draws heavily from the mid-70s period, but also features selections from their current album. They also take us right back to 1967 and the band’s first single “Joy of a Toy” written by Kevin Ayers. Fantastic. The whole evening is highly enjoyable and both Jan and Jackie agree that the music is pleasant and find some of the tracks slightly familiar. We have to leave for our train back to Durham just as the band return for an encore. Then our friendly taxi driver is waiting for us at Durham station. We arrive at 12:13 a.m. Back home around 1 a.m. Another great visit to a lovely venue in a lovely city.
Setlist (something like this): First Set: Penny Hitch; Open Doors; The Visitor at the Window; The Tale of Taliesin; Broken Hill; Fourteen Hour Dream; Gesolreut.
When I was young my Dad would take me to the cinema. He loved movies and he would take me to all the local cinemas around Sunderland and Newcastle. There were so many more cinemas in those days. We would go three or four times a week to the cinema. I saw every Walt Disney cartoon, all the Sean Connery James Bond films, Cliff Richard in Summer Holiday and all his other films, the Beatles in Hard Day’s Night and Help and just about every film that came out during the early to mid-1960s. I even remember going in the middle of the night to watch a grainy image of Cassius Clay fighting at a live screening in a cinema in Newcastle. And another vivid memory is of going one Saturday afternoon to the Stoll Theatre to see the original (and best in my view) King Kong. I remember being terrified when Kong first appeared on the screen. Well, I guess you are wondering why I am starting my post with this story. The connection is this. The Stoll Theatre is now the Tyne Theatre.
So, roll on almost 60 years and I am back in the Tyne Theatre. Thanks to a restoration it still has all the original, ornate features and is a fantastic old theatre and opera house. And this time it is to see a giant of folk and rock music, 
Jackie and I arrived in time to catch the support act, I think they were called Memoir, an excellent duo with great songs. After a short interval, Richard took the stage. Tonight, we were treated to Richard the solo artist and folk singer with acoustic guitar. Later on in the set he was accompanied by a female singer. At one point he told us how, as a young man, he would travel from his home in North London to the Marquee Club in Soho, to see tremendous acts of the time including The Who, The Move and on a Friday night, the Yardbirds. He said he would stand, in awe, at the feet of the late great Jeff Beck.
Richard took us through a selection of his extensive repertoire including back to a song he wrote with Fairport Convention “Genesis Hall” and a lovely rendition of “Who knows where the time goes” written during his time with Fairport Convention by the unique talent that was Sandy Denny. I particularly like the song “Beeswing” which is quite haunting. Throughout, his guitar playing was impeccable and his unique voice draws you into the story behind the song. I am now completely sold on the talent of Richard Thompson and will try and see him each time he visits the region.
Setlist (Something like): Gethsemane; If I Could Live My Life Again; Genesis Hall; Valerie; Walking the Long Miles Home; Down Where the Drunkards Roll; Johnny’s Far Away; 1952 Vincent Black Lightning; Singapore Sadie; Trust; Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen; Who Knows Where the Time Goes; I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight; The Rattle Within.
It has been a few years since I last saw 
Steve Harley is an enigma. Always outspoken, some great tunes and a following that remains incredibly loyal. The fire station is a great local venue and was completely packed for this performance and rightly so. The guy remains relevant today and has recently released a new album consisting of some original songs and some “reimaginings” (not covers, Steve insisted) of his favourite songs.
So, his “reimaginings” included Cat Stevens’ “How Can I Tell You” (great choice), David Bowie’s “Absolute Beginners” (not so sure about this choice) and Paul McCartney’s “I’Ve Just Seen a Face” (marvellous, one of my favourite Beatles’ tracks). And he delivered great versions of each of the songs. He explained that he sent a copy of his version of the song to each of the writers, he said he knew Cat Stevens and got a lovely reply from him. He didn’t mention whether he received replies from the others; apart from saying that he was still waiting for his reply from McCartney. Alongside this he sang his own “Judy Teen”; as an aside telling us that he was hunting for a video copy of their performance of the song on Top of the Pops. Apparently the tapes were wiped and it does not exist….Unless you were sitting in front of your TV with an old cinecamera. He closed the first set with another marvellous classic song: the Rolling Stones, as interpreted by Chris Farlowe “out of time”. Lots of singalong, much to the delight of Mr Harley.
Set 2 consisted of a few more songs from the new album all of which sounded just fine. Thank you Steve for sharing these with us. And then we were into the final stretch. “Mr Soft” was followed by “Tumbling Down” and more singalong… “Look what they’ve done to the blues, blues, blues”. Steve seemed genuinely blown away by the audience reaction and the great strong voices from the crowd that accompanied each singalong section. I remember many happy evenings spent with Steve and Cockney Rebel where one of the closing songs was often “Tumbling Down”: Newcastle Mayfair, Newcastle City Hall, Redcar Coatham Bowl, Sunderland Empire and probably others. Then, Steve’s first single and the beautiful, haunting, twisting and turning ballad that is “Sebastian”. We all knew what was coming: “Make Me Smile” closed the evening. It doesn’t get much better Steve, long may you continue to come and sing to us. And thanks for returning to Sunderland (Steve made reference to the city: “some of you will have sung this with me at the Empire just next door” referring to (I think it was) the aforementioned classic “Tumbling Down”). Happy days.
Setlist: Set 1: Compared With You (Your Eyes Don’t Seem to Age); How Can I Tell You; Absolute Beginners; Lay Me Down; Only You; Judy Teen; I’ve Just Seen a Face; Out of Time
Steve Earle
The Playhouse website describes Steve’s background much better than I am able: ” Steve Earle is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. A protege of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, he quickly became a master storyteller in his own right, with his songs being recorded by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, The Pretenders, and countless others. 1986 saw the release of his record, Guitar Town, which shot to number one on the country charts and is now regarded as a classic of the Americana genre.”
Steve came on stage exactly as advertised at 8:30 PM. I was told he would be finished by 10 PM. His set was a mixture of songs from throughout his career. Each song was delivered in his unique raucous blues style. At one point in the proceedings, he explained: “Townes Van Zandt once told me there are two kinds of music: the blues and Zipadee–Doo–Dah” and that was pretty much the logic behind Steve’s delivery. Each song came from deep within his heart and soul. This guy is the real thing and pulls no punches. He isn’t afraid to admit that he is a recovered/recovering heroin addict. At one point he sadly told us of the recent passing of his son as a result of drugs. Whiskey and hard drugs are part of Steve’s life; or at least they have been in the past.
His songs tell the stories of this guy’s life through his hard drinking and drug using days. He did a great rendition of “Mr Bojangles”; I had forgotten that this had been written by country star Jerry Jeff Walker, rather I associated the song with Sammy Davis Junior. Steve closed with his signature song “Copperhead Road”.
Setlist (something like): If I Should Fall From Grace With God; The Devil’s Right Hand; My Old Friend The Blues; Someday; Guitar Town; I Ain’t Ever Satisfied; Taneytown; Now She’s Gone; Goodbye; Sparkle and Shine; You’re the Best Lover That I Ever Had; South Nashville Blues; CCKMP; Transcendental Blues; Angel Is the Devil; It’s About Blood; Mr. Bojangles; Harlem River Blues; Tell Moses; Galway Girl; Copperhead Road.
Now, to my shame, 
St James Park proudly announced the concert thus: “Sam Fender has announced details of his first stadium headline show – and one of summer 2023’s hottest tickets – at St. James’ Park. Fender headlines at the home of Newcastle United on the 9th June 2023, following in the footsteps of Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, and becomes the first Geordie musician to headline the iconic stadium. Over the past few months, Fender has solidified himself as one of the most celebrated and successful British artists of his generation, pulling a huge crowd on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury ahead of his own 45,000 sell-out show at London’s Finsbury Park. It’s been a huge 2022 so far for the North Shields hero, picking up a slew of BRIT, NME, and Ivor Novello Awards, and a first nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize next week, for his second album, the critically acclaimed number one album, Seventeen Going Under.
Ahead of a series of shows alongside Florence & The Machine in the US, and his first Australian shows since 2019, this latest announcement suggests 2023 will be his biggest year yet. Sam Fender said: “Ever since I started this band, I always used to joke with the boys that one day we might play St. James’ Park in Newcastle.
Laura was with her partner Dale and they were sitting in a different part of the stadium to my carer Jan and me. We were in the wheelchair area towards the back of the pitch, on a raised area located within the rear stand. The ground was absolutely packed and the atmosphere was, to use an old phrase, simply electric. To say Sam Fender is a local hero, is an understatement. The guy is simply massive in the north-east. He hails from North Shields and is a big Newcastle United fan. This was obvious when we saw the crowd, everyone turned out proudly in their black-and-white shirts.
The atmosphere was like I imagine it must be on a big match day, everyone in party mood, singing and chanting along and that was before Sam took to the stage. Sam’s allegiances were clear. His programme is black-and-white and the T-shirts on sale at the merchandise stand gave a choice between one with the Newcastle Brown Ale symbol emblazoned with “Sam Fender” and another with “Greetings from St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne” obviously modelled upon Bruce Springsteen’s album cover “Greetings from Asbury Park New Jersey”. Sam is a massive Springsteen fan.
We arrived just in time to catch the last song of support band 
But everyone was clearly waiting for Sam to take the stage which he did shortly after 9 PM to a rapturous reception. This was a celebration of a local lad done good and a massive singalong, everyone knowing the words of every song. Sam stood proudly out front, with a rock band and brass section behind him belting out songs which have clearly become anthems for the Newcastle fans. Sam Fender was obviously overwhelmed by the whole thing; this was a young man living his dream.
I didn’t know any of the songs, other than Springsteen classic “I’m On Fire” but that didn’t matter. You couldn’t help but get swept away by the atmosphere. Black-and-white flags waving aloft, everyone singing along and so many Newcastle United strips. This was like a cup final day. The show was pretty spectacular. Great screens and visuals. Fireworks, flames and masses of confetti falling from the sky and blowing about everywhere: I was covered in it! I was hoping he would play “Winter Song” the Lindisfarne classic which I saw him perform on a television programme about the band and its leader the sadly missed Alan Hull.
But the fact that he didn’t play that particular song did not detract from my enjoyment of a great concert. Just read that AC/DC star front man and fellow Geordie Brian Johnson took the stage with Sam on the second of the two concerts. I wish I had seen that! Still, I was elsewhere witnessing a great performance by Steve Earle, which you can read about soon.
So, this was the third leg of our concert tour having taken in the Jeff Beck tribute at the Albert Hall two weeks ago, Bruce Springsteen in Murrayfield Edinburgh last week and now back down to London and the O2 to see 
The evening at the O2 started with the nice perks of having an O2 phone and O2 priority as a result. And a result it was. We managed to avoid the long queues, joining a very short O2 priority queue which swiftly led us into the O2 Blue Room where we were fed and watered with some lovely pizza and chips for me, burger and chips for the ladies and nice drinks (double Jack Daniels was my choice tipple). Plus 10% discount for using my American Express card.
Then came a little diversion and adventure. To my shame I had somehow purchased ambulant accessible tickets rather than wheelchair tickets. Ambulant accessible tickets are intended for individuals who are able to walk but have other disabilities which require them to need a companion. For example, my daughter Laura who is blind, qualifies for ambulant accessible tickets. However, this meant I did not have a seat in the wheelchair area. Rather, I had a normal seat. Totally my own mistake. I don’t know how I managed to do this. Anyway, after some cajoling and pleading we managed to get my tickets swapped to seats on the wheelchair platform. Thank you so much to the O2 staff who were incredibly helpful. So, Jackie and I took all seats on the wheelchair platform and Jan went up into the upper tier for her seat.
The show opened with the music of “Comfortably Numb” and the several screens rising up towards the ceiling of the venue. This was a very spectacular show with Roger and his band performing in the round, in the central area of the arena floor, surrounded above by a series of screens which displayed images and the band to every corner of the arena. Then came a series of tracks from The Wall including the hit song “Another Brick in the Wall” with the famous hammers video imagery. Roger moved around the stage so that everyone got a chance to see him. The images on the screens alternated between the band and visuals.
To say this show was political is an understatement. Roger displayed a number of anti-war slogans across the screens and images of US presidents each with their “war crimes” displayed across them. The first half of the show closed with some wonderful videos of Syd Barrett as Roger performed “Wish You Were Here” and “Shine on you Crazy Diamond”.
Over the images of Syd, Roger told the story of how the two friends travelled from their home town Cambridge to London in order to see Gene Vincent in concert supported by the Rolling Stones, no less, and vowed to form a band, which of course they did when they returned to London as students a few years later. He then went on to display a story in words of how Syd became unwell (all of which is well documented and involved his descent into schizophrenia as a result of taking too much LSD) and was confused when they were playing in Los Angeles, believing he was in Las Vegas. All very sad and a fitting tribute to the genius who led Pink Floyd in their early days.
At one point Roger went into a long rant concerning how the media and the politicians were trying to “cancel” him as a result of the political elements of the concert and, in particular, the fallout from his recent Berlin show where he was criticised by the authorities for wearing a Nazi like uniform and for the flying pig which they believed contained anti-Semitic imagery.
Indeed, as we entered the O2, we passed a group of protesters with placards and who were asking us not to attend the concert. Roger had a long script for his aforementioned rant; this recent publicity has clearly annoyed the guy. At one point during the show Roger wore the military uniform which is actually not displaying Nazi swastikas, rather these are the hammers from The Wall imagery.
The first half of the show concluded with “Sheep” from the Animals album with a giant sheep slowly flying around the arena. All part of the wonderful spectacle that one has come to expect of a Roger Waters concert. A short interval and another double Jack Daniels later and I settled back into my perch in the wheelchair area.
The second half of the show started with the aforementioned flying pig slowly manoeuvring its way around the arena. The music consisted of Roger Waters solo material and more familiar territory including songs from Dark Side of the Moon including “Money” and “Us and Them” complemented by images from the Dark Side of the Moon era Pink Floyd. Fantastic. Roger concluded the show with himself and the band around a piano while he performed a new song in tribute to his recently passed older brother. The screen displayed images of Roger as a child beside his brother and his parents.
A great concert, with a rich mix of old, new, spectacle and politics. But then I guess this is what we have come to expect from Roger Waters, now 79, still looking well and performing world-class music from throughout his career. On our way back to our hotel I managed to give my head a nasty clash. I misjudged the height of the side entrance to a black cab as I manoeuvred up the ramp. Perhaps the two double Jack Daniels didn’t help. I was soon back in my bed, my head still a little sore. However, by the morning I was okay and we made our way home to rest after our two weeks of adventures.
Setlist: Set 1: Comfortably Numb; The Happiest Days of Our Lives; Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2; Another Brick in the Wall, Part 3; The Powers That Be; The Bravery of Being Out of Range; The Bar; Have a Cigar; Wish You Were Here; Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-VII, V); Sheep.
Set 2: In the Flesh; Run Like Hell; Déjà Vu; Déjà Vu (Reprise); Is This the Life We Really Want?; Money; Us and Them; Any Colour You Like; Brain Damage; Eclipse; Two Suns in the Sunset; The Bar (Reprise); Outside the Wall.
Brooooce, Brooooce the crowd cheered as we waited for The Boss to take the stage. 7 PM, exactly as announced, 
The first hour consists of songs which, to my shame, are not so familiar to me. After all, this guy has a massive 50 year catalogue to draw from. And that is exactly what he does throughout the evening, selecting songs from throughout his career. Bruce and I have travelled some of his long road together. My first experience of Springsteen was at his debut UK concerts in Hammersmith Odeon 1975. Since then I have seen him at Newcastle City Hall, St James’s Park Newcastle, Dublin Point, the O2 Arena London, Hampden Park Glasgow, Leeds Arena and the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Two of those concerts have been immortalised on DVD: the legendary 1975 London shows and the Dublin Seeger Sessions show.
“Darkness on the Edge of Town” takes me back to more familiar territory and then “Kitty’s Back” goes even further back; in fact right back to the very start. Class! Soon we are into “Backstreets” which takes me to 1975 and more familiar material. The rest of the evening passes in a blur. So many great songs and so many memories. “Because The Night” is of course a signature song for Patti Smith, for whom Bruce wrote the tune; but Bruce also does a great version of this classic anthem. “She’s the One” is as great as ever. The set closes with the haunting mouth harp of Bruce leading us into “Thunder Road” which is as haunting as ever. The audience take over and sing the majority of the vocals.
Steve Van Zandt looks as cool as ever. He and Bruce bounce off each other throughout the night, with Steve playing some great guitar.
“Glory Days” soon follows, then another classic “Dancing in the Dark”. Back to 1975 and “Tenth Avenue Freeze–Out”, with some great images of the late, sadly missed big man Clarence Clemons, he of the magnificent sax playing in the original E Street Band. Bruce closes the evening, a lone figure on the stage, with “I’ll See You in My Dreams”.
We all file out of the stadium and into the cool Scottish evening. Well organised buses transport us back to our hotel in Rose Street, just off Princes Street and Waverley station. Then, next morning, luckily unaffected by the train strike which was taking place that day, we board our LNER service to Newcastle. All works like magic. A great day with a great performer, songwriter and someone who has so much energy that he can ignite any stadium around the world. Long may you continue to do so Bruce.
Setlist: No Surrender; Ghosts; Prove It All Night; Death to My Hometown; Letter to You; The Promised Land; Out in the Street; Candy’s Room; Darkness on the Edge of Town; Kitty’s Back; Nightshift; Mary’s Place; The E Street Shuffle; Johnny 99; Last Man Standing; Backstreets; Because the Night; She’s the One; Wrecking Ball; The Rising; Badlands; Thunder Road.
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