ASBURY PARK, NJ — A chilly September evening was warmed by the fiery energy of Bruce Springsteen as he made a triumphant return to the city that birthed his musical career. The legendary rocker took center stage at the Asbury Park Music and Film Festival, held at the iconic Jersey Shore town that has become synonymous with his name. With a sold-out crowd hanging on every note, Springsteen delivered a performance that was as much a tribute to his roots as it was a celebration of his enduring legacy. Here are seven highlights from a night that will go down in Asbury Park history:
Kicking off the night with a reflective tone, Springsteen addressed the crowd with a poignant speech about his early days performing in Asbury Park’s clubs and dive bars. “This place was everything to me when I was getting started,” said Springsteen, his voice thick with nostalgia. He name-checked venues like The Stone Pony and Upstage where he and the E Street Band first honed their craft, calling the boardwalk and surrounding streets “a home, a playground, and a school for rock ‘n’ roll.”
The audience—many of whom had followed Springsteen’s career since the early days—responded with cheers and knowing smiles, recognizing the deep connection between the artist and the town that shaped him.
Springsteen’s setlist for the night was carefully curated, blending timeless hits with deep cuts that spoke to his Asbury roots. One of the evening’s biggest surprises was the revival of “Thundercrack”, a rollicking, 10-minute opus from the early 1970s that has been mostly absent from live shows in recent years. The performance was a gift to die-hard fans who have clamored for the track’s return to setlists, and the crowd’s reaction was nothing short of ecstatic.
Asbury Park has always been more than just a backdrop for Springsteen—it’s been a gathering place for musical legends. This spirit was alive and well as Southside Johnny and Steven Van Zandt, longtime collaborators and members of Asbury’s rock royalty, joined The Boss on stage for a spontaneous jam session. Together, they tore through classics like “I Don’t Want to Go Home” and “The Fever,” offering a nod to their shared musical journey.
Another standout moment came when saxophonist Jake Clemons, nephew of the late Clarence Clemons, joined Springsteen for a searing rendition of “Jungleland.” Jake’s powerful sax solo, a tribute to his uncle, sent chills through the crowd and left many with tears in their eyes.
Springsteen paused mid-set to pay tribute to his longtime friend and saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who passed away in 2011. With a deep sigh, The Boss introduced “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” with words that resonated across the sea of fans: “When the Big Man joined the band… the story really began.”
A video montage of Clemons played on the big screen as the band launched into the song, and Jake Clemons’ sax solo soared over the crowd, his playing a poignant reminder of the original magic that Clarence brought to the stage. It was a moving tribute that struck at the heart of Springsteen’s long-running relationship with his audience—one built on shared history, loss, and love.
Halfway through the night, the energy shifted as Springsteen sat down for a special acoustic set. Stripped of the bombast of his full band, the focus turned to the raw emotional power of his songwriting. He performed “The River” and “Atlantic City” with little more than his guitar and harmonica, pausing between songs to share stories from his youth in New Jersey.
Each song came with a backstory, adding layers of meaning to already familiar tunes. Fans were treated to a masterclass in storytelling, as Springsteen wove tales of family, dreams, and the working-class struggles that have defined his music for decades.
As the show neared its end, Springsteen returned to full-band mode and dialed up the energy for an explosive encore. The“Born to Run” sent the crowd into a frenzy, with thousands of voices singing along to every word. The festival grounds, illuminated by lights and cell phone flashes, turned into a sea of energy as Springsteen transitioned into “Dancing in the Dark,”keeping the intensity high.
As if that wasn’t enough, he wrapped the encore with a fiery rendition of “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight),”a song that has become a staple of his live performances. The joyful chaos of the encore encapsulated everything fans love about Springsteen—the unrelenting energy, the connection with the audience, and the sheer joy of rock ‘n’ roll.
For his final song of the evening, Springsteen chose “Land of Hope and Dreams,” a song about resilience, faith, and the promise of better days. Its message resonated deeply with the crowd, many of whom had waited years to see The Boss perform live again after pandemic delays.
Before leaving the stage, Springsteen offered a simple yet powerful message to his fans: “This ain’t goodbye. Just see you down the road.”With those words, he disappeared backstage, leaving the audience with the hope that they’d meet again in Asbury Park or somewhere down the road on the next leg of his musical journey.
Springsteen’s performance at the Asbury Park Music and Film Festival was more than just a concert—it was a homecoming, a tribute to the past, and a celebration of the future. For the thousands who gathered on the Jersey Shore, it was a night of unforgettable moments that solidified Bruce Springsteen’s status as one of rock’s greatest icons, with his roots firmly planted in the city that gave him his start.
ASBURY PAR— A chilly September evening was warmed by the fiery energy of Bruce Springsteen as he made a triumphant return to the city that birthed his musical career. The legendary rocker took center stage at the Asbury Park Music and Film Festival, held at the iconic Jersey Shore town that has become synonymous with his name. With a sold-out crowd hanging on every note, Springsteen delivered a performance that was as much a tribute to his roots as it was a celebration of his enduring legacy. Here are seven highlights from a night that will go down in Asbury Park history:
Kicking off the night with a reflective tone, Springsteen addressed the crowd with a poignant speech about his early days performing in Asbury Park’s clubs and dive bars. “This place was everything to me when I was getting started,” said Springsteen, his voice thick with nostalgia. He name-checked venues like The Stone Pony and Upstage, where he and the E Street Band first honed their craft, calling the boardwalk and surrounding streets “a home, a playground, and a school for rock ‘n’ roll.”
The audience—many of whom had followed Springsteen’s career since the early days—responded with cheers and knowing smiles, recognizing the deep connection between the artist and the town that shaped him.
Springsteen’s setlist for the night was carefully curated, blending timeless hits with deep cuts that spoke to his Asbury roots. One of the evening’s biggest surprises was the revival of “Thundercrack”, a rollicking, 10-minute opus from the early 1970s that has been mostly absent from live shows in recent years. The performance was a gift to die-hard fans who have clamored for the track’s return to setlists, and the crowd’s reaction was nothing short of ecstatic.
Asbury Park has always been more than just a backdrop for Springsteen—it’s been a gathering place for musical legends. This spirit was alive and well as Southside Johnny and Steven Van Zandt, longtime collaborators and members of Asbury’s rock royalty, joined The Boss on stage for a spontaneous jam session. Together, they tore through classics like “I Don’t Want to Go Home” and “The Fever,”offering a nod to their shared musical journey.
Another standout moment came when saxophonist Jake Clemons, nephew of the late Clarence Clemons, joined Springsteen for a searing rendition of “Jungleland.” Jake’s powerful sax solo, a tribute to his uncle, sent chills through the crowd and left many with tears in their eyes.
Springsteen paused mid-set to pay tribute to his longtime friend and saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who passed away in 2011. With a deep sigh, The Boss introduced “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” with words that resonated across the sea of fans: “When the Big Man joined the band… the story really began.”
A video montage of Clemons played on the big screen as the band launched into the song, and Jake Clemons’ sax solo soared over the crowd, his playing a poignant reminder of the original magic that Clarence brought to the stage. It was a moving tribute that struck at the heart of Springsteen’s long-running relationship with his audience—one built on shared history, loss, and love.
Halfway through the night, the energy shifted as Springsteen sat down for a special acoustic set. Stripped of the bombast of his full band, the focus turned to the raw emotional power of his songwriting. He performed “The River”and “Atlantic City” with little more than his guitar and harmonica, pausing between songs to share stories from his youth in New Jersey.
Each song came with a backstory, adding layers of meaning to already familiar tunes. Fans were treated to a masterclass in storytelling, as Springsteen wove tales of family, dreams, and the working-class struggles that have defined his music for decades.
As the show neared its end, Springsteen returned to full-band mode and dialed up the energy for an explosive encore. The opening chords of “Born to Run” sent the crowd into a frenzy, with thousands of voices singing along to every word. The festival grounds, illuminated by lights and cell phone flashes, turned into a sea of energy as Springsteen transitioned into “Dancing in the Dark,”keeping the intensity high.
As if that wasn’t enough, he wrapped the encore with a fiery rendition of “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight),” a song that has become a staple of his live performances. The joyful chaos of the encore encapsulated everything fans love about Springsteen—the unrelenting energy, the connection with the audience, and the sheer joy of rock ‘n’ roll.
For his final song of the evening, Springsteen chose “Land of Hope and Dreams,” a song about resilience, faith, and the promise of better days. Its message resonated deeply with the crowd, many of whom had waited years to see The Boss perform live again after pandemic delays.
Before leaving the stage, Springsteen offered a simple yet powerful message to his fans: “This ain’t goodbye. Just see you down the road.” With those words, he disappeared backstage, leaving the audience with the hope that they’d meet again in Asbury Park or somewhere down the road on the next leg of his musical journey.
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Springsteen’s performance at the Asbury Park Music and Film Festival was more than just a concert—it was a homecoming, a tribute to the past, and a celebration of the future. For the thousands who gathered on the Jersey Shore, it was a night of unforgettable moments that solidified Bruce Springsteen’s status as one of rock’s greatest icons, with his roots firmly planted in the city that gave him his start.
