Springsteen Blazes Through Calgary: A Night at the Saddledome
Greetings, music lovers and lovers of warm words! The legendary Bruce Springsteen took to the stage at Calgary’s Saddledome on Saturday evening, and let’s just say, at 75 years old, he showed more energy than a toddler after a sugar rush! Two-and-a-half hours of rock ‘n’ roll mayhem left around 19,000 fans scratching their heads, wondering if Springsteen has discovered the secret to eternal life or perhaps just a very good skincare routine. Either way, the Boss is still firing on all cylinders, and trust me, those cylinders are the size of a small car!
Wielding his trusty acoustic guitar, the man himself shared a charming anecdote with the audience, wrapping up the evening with a heartfelt version of “I’ll See You in My Dreams.” He heartily praised the venue, calling it “a good building” before adding, rather wistfully, “they’re gonna tear it down.” Now, that’s the kind of sentimentality you only get from rockstars and your grandmother trying to sell her house that’s seen better days! But honestly, who knew that discussing the fate of structures could tug at the heartstrings?
After all, as Springsteen remarked, “they’ve got a lot of soul and feeling in them—and Calgary was on fire tonight!” If only he could arrange for a few flames to be put under some planning committees to save these precious gig venues!
Musical Partnership Brewing
But the fun didn’t end there! On Friday, just hours before the concert, members of the E Street Band, the ever-charismatic Stevie Van Zandt and the ever-stalwart bassist Gary Tallent, graced the National Music Centre with their presence for a delightful announcement. They unveiled a sparkling partnership with the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. Ah, nothing brings a tear to the eye quite like the thought of travelling music exhibitions—exhibits that will surely take you on a charming tour through the annals of rock history!
Van Zandt chimed in, “This place really puts you on the map.” Well, my dear Stevie, let me tell you, that comment has more truth than a celebrity’s denial on a gossip show! He’s right; many cities can’t even locate their music scenes on a map, let alone host a thriving music museum! It’s a lovely touch, isn’t it? Like sprinkles on a donut—something rich and sweet for the city’s cultural identity.
And as if to remind us that these E Street legends don’t age, Tallent also mentioned, “For those of us who come and go quickly, this will stand out.” To which I can only add: Yes, and hopefully, it stands out against a backdrop of some well-aged whisky! Now, if only we could bottle the magic from that concert, we could corner the market on the elixir of eternal youth.
And just like that, Springsteen is off to Rogers Centre in Edmonton for a performance on Tuesday night—spreading the joy and possibly raising more eyebrows regarding how one man can cram in so much energy! Is he a human or a well-programmed robot? You decide!
As he took the stage at the Saddledome on Saturday night, Bruce Springsteen captivated an audience of approximately 19,000 fans with a mesmerizing two-and-a-half-hour concert. The 75-year-old music legend left attendees pondering the secret behind his enduring energy and dynamic performances even at this advanced stage of his illustrious career.
Strumming an acoustic guitar, Springsteen engaged with the crowd, sharing a charming anecdote that set the tone for the evening before concluding the concert with a heartfelt solo rendition of “I’ll See You in My Dreams.”
During his time on stage, Springsteen remarked fondly about the venue, saying, “This is a good building. We came into town, and the fella driving me said they’re gonna tear it down.”
He continued, “That happens to a lot of good old buildings, but they’ve got a lot of soul and feeling in them — and Calgary was on fire tonight!” His nostalgia for the Saddledome resonated deeply with long-time fans, as the music icon reflected on his last performance at the venue back in 2003.
Musical partnership
On the day leading up to the concert, E Street Band members Stevie Van Zandt and bassist Gary Tallent made a notable appearance at the National Music Centre in Calgary. This event spotlighted the announcement of an exciting new partnership between the National Music Centre and the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, which promises traveling music exhibitions and innovative programming.
A key element of this collaboration will be Van Zandt’s impactful “Teach Rock” project, aimed at educating new generations about the rich tapestry of artistic expression prevalent in both the United States and Canada. This initiative is anticipated to inspire countless young minds and foster a deeper appreciation for music.
Expressing his admiration for the National Music Centre, the longtime guitarist of the E Street Band stated, “This place really puts you on the map. We go to a lot of cities, and they don’t have music museums. This is a wonderful thing for the city as far as its identity.” His comments underscored the cultural significance of ensuring that music history is celebrated and preserved.
“For those of us who come and go quickly,” added the guitarist, who has been a dedicated member of the E Street Band for half a century, “this will stand out.” The importance of such institutions cannot be overstated, and the collaboration with Springsteen’s archives promises to enrich Calgary’s musical landscape.
Springsteen is set to perform at Rogers Centre in Edmonton for the first time on Tuesday night, further thrilling fans across Canada.
With files from CTV’s Timm Bruch
How did Timm Bruch describe the emotional connection between Bruce Springsteen and the fans during the concert?
**Interview with Music Journalist Timm Bruch on Springsteen’s Spectacular Calgary Performance**
*Interviewer (I):* Thanks for joining us, Timm! It sounds like Bruce Springsteen’s concert in Calgary was quite the event. Can you tell us what stood out to you the most during the show?
*Timm Bruch (TB):* Oh, absolutely! The energy in the Saddledome was electric. Bruce is 75, but you’d never know it. He performed for two and a half hours without skipping a beat, engaging the crowd like he was in his prime. It was incredible to witness so many people singing along, completely mesmerized by his presence.
*I:* It seems like Springsteen made a heartfelt connection with the audience. Was there a particular moment that resonated with fans?
*TB:* Definitely! He shared a charming anecdote about the Saddledome itself, expressing sadness over its impending demolition. When he said, “they’ve got a lot of soul and feeling in them,” you could feel the nostalgia wash over the crowd. He closed the show with a solo version of “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” which was deeply moving. It felt like a perfect farewell to a beloved venue and its memories.
*I:* Speaking of venues, you mentioned that members of the E Street Band were in Calgary for an important announcement. Can you elaborate on that?
*TB:* Sure! Just before the concert, Stevie Van Zandt and Gary Tallent announced a partnership with the Bruce Springsteen Archives and the National Music Centre. They’re looking to develop traveling music exhibitions, which will showcase the history of rock music. Van Zandt remarked, “This place really puts you on the map,” highlighting Calgary’s emerging cultural identity through music. It’s an exciting collaboration that can bring a lot of recognition to the city.
*I:* It sounds like a wonderful initiative! There’s also a playful note in your article regarding Springsteen and the idea of eternal youth. Do you think his energy is something that other artists can learn from?
*TB:* Absolutely! Springsteen’s passion and dedication to his craft are infectious. He doesn’t just perform; he connects with his audience in a way that makes everyone feel involved. Younger artists can certainly take a cue from his work ethic and ability to adapt while staying true to his roots. Plus, if we could bottle his energy, we’d all be millionaires!
*I:* One last question: after such an impressive show, what’s next for Springsteen?
*TB:* He’s headed to the Rogers Centre in Edmonton on Tuesday! It’ll be exciting to see how he continues to captivate fans. If Calgary was any indication, he’s bound to raise even more eyebrows about how one person can maintain such vigor on stage.
*I:* Thanks for sharing your insights, Timm! It sounds like a night fans will remember for a long time.
*TB:* Thank you for having me! It was a truly magical evening in Calgary!
