Springsteen in Brussels

Bruce Springsteen was in Brussels last night for a solo acoustic concert in his Devils and Dust tour. And despite all the problems with the ticket sales, I managed to get a pair of tickets for the 13th row. It was a very enjoyable show.

As important to me as the show itself, is meeting new and old friends before the show. So we made our way to Vorst Nationaal way before the start of the show. Parked the car near the venue–no stress for us–and had a few drinks with friends. It was so good to see al those people that I hadn’t seen for a long time.

But on the main event: Springsteen’s concert. I was afraid that, after seeing the show in Los Angeles, the European shows weren’t going to as good. But I was wrong! The Belgian public respected Springsteen’s request for silence during the performance, but greeted each song with enthusiasm and heart warming applause. And though Vorst Nationaal is big venue for solo acoustic performances, Bruce was able to make it feel small and cozy. It felt more like my living room than a venue that holds 7000. Springsteen reached everyone; the show had power yet created an intimate atmosphere.

Although Devils and Dust isn’t Springsteen’s best album–at least not in my opinion– must admit like this tour just as much as concerts with the E-Street Band. And I like this tour better than his 1st solo acoustic tour. This tour has a good mix of old and new songs. And in Brussels, Springsteen impressed me most with Reason to Believe, State Trooper, Thougher Than the Rest and Racing in the Streets. Matamoros Banks and Reno are still the best songs from his new album.

I was really impressed with Springsteen’s performance. I hope he will impress me again in Düsseldorf and Rotterdam.