Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band @Giants Stadium, Oct. 8th

Unlike a few weeks ago when Bestest Boy and I saw U2 and Muse, today I decided to fly solo for a chance to be in the GA Pit for Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. I got into line at about 11:10 am and subsequently was awarded bracelet #90 out of 1,000. For the next 3-1/2 hours I chilled in the parking lot and chatted with other fans, eager to pass the time until security drew the winning number which would signify the start of the line: #787, which meant that I was then actually ~303rd in line. Not bad. After strategizing with my neighbors, including some really nice Canadians named Eddie and Rebecca, we decided we would shoot for center towards Clarence Clemons' mic. Surprisingly, the Giants Stadium staff handled the line lottery rather well, and we were able to position ourselves pretty much where we envisioned, about 3 deep from the stage.

This night marked the 4th time I have seen the Boss in concert, and my 2nd time on the floor, but this was the closest to the stage I had ever been by far. While I came to the show fully aware that the album Born To Run would be performed in its entirety, I don't think I was prepared for the impact of hearing it live and seeing it so close. Our positioning in front of the Big Man Clemons proved key as Born To Run runs pretty heavy on sax, especially the closing song "Jungleland," during which I did get a little weepy. While it was amazing to see Clarence wail away on the sax, I could only imagine the physical stress with which his body must have been dealing as he moved slowly across the stage.

Bruce Springsteen, while younger than Clemons, is no spring chicken himself, recently turning 60(!), but you never would have known it. His energy was absolutely incredible, running through an amazing setlist that ran exactly three hours with nary a lull. I was particularly jazzed to hear "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" and "Because The Night," which were audience requests, as well as a moving "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)," played in memory of longtime E Streeter Danny Federici, who passed away last year. Bruce ran all over the stage and up and down several ramps and catwalks which extended into the pit, and even bodysurfed the crowd for a while during "Hungry Heart." Killer!

It's gonna take me a long time to forget this experience. After all, Bruce was one of my first loves -- Born In The U.S.A. was the very first cassette I owned. I even had a Cabbage Patch Doll I dressed in blue jeans, white teeshirt, red bandana and ball cap in the back pocket. Gimme a break -- I was in the 5th grade! =)

Here's a kinda shaky recording of "Thunder Road":

More photos on my Flickr.

U2 @Giants Stadium, Sept. 24th

Is there anything more that really needs to be said about powerhouse U2??? Holy shit, they know how to put on a show! Armed with a pair of General Admission tickets thanks to a sacrifice by Wawa, Bestest Boy and I got to Giants Stadium just after 4pm and ended up in the very center of the pit inside the coveted area enclosed by the circular catwalk. Astounding views all around. Sure, it would have been interesting to see the weird spaceship beehive staging from a farther away vantage, but who am I kidding -- nothing beats being up close to these four amazing men who only seem to get better with age. They are requisite viewing for anyone who is a fan of live music. I'm telling ya -- you must see them at least once in your lifetime!

Setlist is here. My complete set of photos is here.

Muse @Giants Stadium, Sept. 24th

Muse were an awesome way to start up the crowd waiting for U2. They are full of energy and play the kind of music that fills a stadium quite nicely, unlike the last time I saw U2 and the snoozerville Keane opened. Lead singer Matthew Bellamy is a talented singer and musician. I was quite impressed by his piano playing, as well as by his posturing with guitar in hand. Critics might complain they're too derivative of my favorites, Radiohead, with a little Queen tossed in, but for a full 45 minutes, I was fully entertained. I definitely was reminded of some of my favorite Guitar Hero moments.