Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Bring Passion and Power to Historic Sea.Hear.Now Festival in Asbury Park
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band delivered a legendary performance at the Sea.Hear.Now festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey, an iconic moment that highlighted not only their extraordinary musicianship but also Springsteen’s deep connection to his hometown. The concert, which took place on the shores of Asbury Park’s storied beaches, marked a special moment in Springsteen’s 2023 touring schedule, reminding fans of the depth, emotion, and significance that the “Boss” brings to every stage he graces.
Since their return to touring in early 2023 after a prolonged break due to the global pandemic, Springsteen and his band have been on a powerful journey of musical storytelling. The setlists on this tour have largely reflected themes of friendship, loss, resilience, and a shared sense of overcoming hardship. These themes are central to much of Springsteen’s music, but this year, they resonated even more deeply with audiences after the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for many of his most devoted fans, this tour also left them longing for Springsteen to revisit deeper cuts from his vast discography—songs that haven’t been performed in decades.
Return to Familiar Ground: Springsteen’s Personal Connection to Asbury Park
Sea.Hear.Now was no ordinary tour stop for Bruce Springsteen. Asbury Park holds a special place in Springsteen’s heart and career; it’s where his musical journey began in the 1970s. Venues like The Stone Pony became legendary for hosting some of Springsteen’s earliest performances, and the vibrant local music scene in Asbury Park helped shape him into the artist he is today. With the 2023 edition of the Sea.Hear.Now festival, the festival organizers—and the audience—knew that having Springsteen as a headliner was a nod to the history, culture, and sense of community that Asbury Park symbolizes.
As fans gathered along the beach, the excitement and anticipation for Springsteen’s performance were palpable. Many in the crowd had followed the E Street Band from city to city, and for some, seeing Bruce in Asbury Park was a pilgrimage of sorts, an opportunity to witness the “Boss” return to his roots. As he took the stage, Springsteen acknowledged the magnitude of the moment, expressing his gratitude for being able to perform in front of one of the largest audiences in his hometown.
Opening with Nostalgia: The Performance of a Lifetime
Springsteen set the tone for the evening by opening with “Lonesome Day,” a track from his 2002 album The Rising. It was a fitting choice, as the song’s themes of resilience and determination echoed the emotional weight of the performance. From the start, it was clear that this wouldn’t be an ordinary setlist. After years of carefully curating his shows to reflect specific themes, Springsteen seemed ready to break free and explore songs that hadn’t seen the light of day in many years.
“We’ve got a lot of stuff we haven’t played in a long time for you tonight,” Springsteen told the crowd, fueling excitement among his dedicated fans. It was a promise that the night would be filled with surprises, and Springsteen certainly delivered. One of the early highlights came when he performed “Blinded by the Light,” a track from his 1973 debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. This song, which hadn’t been featured on the 2023 tour until this moment, had the crowd roaring with approval.
A Journey Through Springsteen’s Legacy: Rare Songs and Emotional Moments
As the night continued, Springsteen dug even deeper into his catalog, pulling out songs that many thought they might never hear live again. The festival-goers were treated to a performance of “Thundercrack,” a fan-favorite from the early 1970s that hasn’t been played regularly since 2016. For long-time fans, the performance of this song was one of the night’s emotional high points, as it evoked memories of Springsteen’s early years playing small venues in Asbury Park and New Jersey. The song’s playful energy and spontaneous feel perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the evening.
Another deeply emotional moment came when Springsteen performed “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy),” a nostalgic ballad from The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle (1973). This song, in particular, resonated with the festival’s location, as it vividly captures the essence of Asbury Park during its golden years. Springsteen dedicated this performance to Danny Federici, his long-time bandmate who passed away in 2008. The dedication to Federici added an extra layer of poignancy, reminding the audience of the deep bonds between Springsteen and his E Street Band, as well as the sense of loss and remembrance that has marked their journey together.
Patti Scialfa, Springsteen’s wife and fellow E Street Band member, made a surprise appearance on stage, further adding to the special nature of the night. Scialfa had been absent from much of the 2023 tour due to health challenges, so her presence was a deeply touching moment for both Springsteen and the fans. The two performed together, creating an intimate, heartfelt atmosphere that reminded everyone of the personal connections that have always been central to Springsteen’s music.
The Encore: A Farewell to Remember
As the show began to wind down, Springsteen saved some of his most powerful performances for the encore. One of the standout moments was his rendition of “Meeting Across the River,” a haunting and evocative track from Born to Run (1975). This was the first time Springsteen had performed this song since 2016, and its inclusion in the setlist added an air of mystery and melancholy to the final moments of the concert.
The evening came to a grand finale with “Jersey Girl,” a song that has long been associated with Springsteen’s New Jersey roots. As the opening notes of the song echoed across the beach, the crowd joined in, singing along to every word. Springsteen’s rendition of this Tom Waits classic, infused with his own unique style and sentimentality, was the perfect way to close the night. The performance felt like a tribute not only to Springsteen’s career but also to the community of Asbury Park itself. The fans, many of whom had traveled from near and far, were left with a sense of unity, nostalgia, and celebration.
A Legacy Cemented: Springsteen’s Enduring Impact
Bruce Springsteen’s performance at the Sea.Hear.Now festival was more than just a concert; it was a celebration of his career, his connection to Asbury Park, and his ability to bring people together through music. The festival served as a reminder that while Springsteen’s career has spanned over five decades, his ability to captivate an audience remains as strong as ever.
For the thousands of fans who packed the beach that night, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Springsteen’s setlist, filled with rare tracks and emotional dedications, created a powerful narrative that resonated deeply with the audience. It was a night where nostalgia met the present, where old songs took on new meaning, and where Springsteen’s legacy as one of the greatest live performers in music history was once again solidified.
As the crowd slowly dispersed into the cool night air, one thing was clear: Bruce Springsteen’s music continues to transcend time and place, creating unforgettable moments for all who are lucky enough to witness them.
