The Boss returned to the City of Brotherly Love with the legendary E-Street Band, delivering a three-hour spectacle at Citizens Bank Park that was both a celebration and a deeply personal reflection.
From the moment the clock hit 7:35 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bruce Springsteen and and his group were electric.
After they stepped onto the stage, the band hit the first notes of “Atlantic City,” sending a surge of excitement through the crowd, which set the tone for the night. The band instantly captured the crowd with Little Steven Van Zandt on mandolin and Max Weinberg’s drumming providing a powerhouse rhythm.
The E Street Band matched Springsteen’s energy throughout the set, with Nils Lofgren laying down a searing guitar solo on “Night.”
The E Street Choir consisting of Ada Dyer, Curtis King,
Lisa Lowell and Michelle Moore immediately made their presence known on “No Surrender.”
Keyboardist Danny Federici shined on one of my favorite tracks “Working On The Highway.
Throughout the set, Bruce expertly blended energetic anthems with introspective moments.
He asked “Are we working hard Philly?” There was no doubt that he was, from trading his signature Fender Telecaster for acoustic and picking up a harmonica to blow some blues into the crowd riding the rail on the front barrier.
“We came all the way from Central Jersey just to ask one question – Can you feel it? Can you feel the spirit?” Springsteen asked.
That spirit radiated throughout, with backup singers giving a gospel-like touch and Bruce himself dancing with a fan in the front row during “Hungry Heart.”
One of the highlights of the night was “Last Man Standing,” a poignant, acoustic tribute to Bruce’s departed bandmate George Theiss, whose wife was in the crowd, where he reflected on mortality and love, emphasizing how grief is the price of a life lived well. The emotional resonance carried through into the encore with “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” dedicated to his nephew and Theiss’ widow.
Springsteen catered to his hometown crowd, telling stories about listening to the Philly and Steel Pier radio stations and playing “Streets of Philadelphia” for the first time since 2016.
During “Wrecking Ball,” he had to correct his reference from the Giants to the Eagles when the crowd jeered him. At the show’s end, he shouted out Philabundance, whose mission is to fight hunger by providing meals and groceries in the region.
The show’s energy never waned, with hits like “Badlands,” “Thunder Road,” and “Born to Run” igniting the stadium. Little Steven even playfully “wrung” Bruce’s neck during “Rosalita,” injecting humor and camaraderie into the mix.
On “Badlands” Springsteen reminded us how powerful his simple guitar solos can be, especially on those early iconic albums that shaped so much of modern music in New Jersey and Philadelphia.
The band also showed it was having plenty of fun on stage with Springsteen and Little Steven chasing each other around the stage during “Born To Run,” Little Steven wringing Springsteen’s neck during “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” and The Boss sending his guitar flying into the hands of the tech behind him.
By the time “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” and “Twist and Shout” closed the night, Springsteen reminded us all why he’s a legend—balancing raw energy with moments of tender humanity. His dedication to the crowd and the spirit of Philly left the audience uplifted, making it a night to remember.
As Bruce quipped to the crowd, “Philly’s a tough town, but you look a little tired. You think you can outlast the E Street Band? Where have you been for 50 fucking years?”
He made it clear that on stage, no one can beat The Boss.
Setlist
Start time: 7:35 p.m.
Atlantic City
Lonesome Day
Night
No Surrender
Ghosts
Working on the Highway
The Promised Land
Spirit in the Night
Hungry Heart
Youngstown
Long Walk Home
The E Street Shuffle
Nightshift (Commodores cover)
Streets of Philadelphia
Racing in the Street
Last Man Standing
Backstreets
Because the Night (Patti Smith Group cover)
She’s the One
Wrecking Ball
The Rising
Badlands
Thunder Road
Set ends 9:59 p.m.
Encore
10 p.m.
Born to Run
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Bobby Jean
Dancing in the Dark
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Twist and Shout (The Top Notes cover)
Encore ends 10:35 p.m.
Solo Acoustic Encore
10:40 p.m
I’ll See You in My Dreams – solo acoustic
