Bruce Springsteen‘s energetic three-hour set at British Summertime Hyde Park has been lauded by fans and critics as an ‘unrelenting rock spectacular’ after he took to the stage for the final weekend of the festival on Thursday.
The rock legend, 73, rolled back the years with an impressive 29-song set in front of a star-studded audience, that included big names Stella McCartney, Kate Hudson and Jon Bon Jovi.
Bruce kicked off his set alongside his famous E Street Band with an energetic rendition of No Surrender, before moving onto Ghosts, Prove It All Night and Letter To You.
The New Jersey rocker showed no signs of slowing down as he delivered a medley of his biggest hits for the huge crowd.
Later in the show, Bruce reflected on the ‘greatest adventure of his life’ when he joined his first band in the mid-60s with George Theiss, who hired the teenage guitarist into the Castiles.
Here he is! Bruce Springsteen, 75, was every inch the stellar showman as he delivered a sensational three-hour set at British Summertime Hyde Park on Thursday
So many stars! The rock legend rolled back the years with an impressive 29-song set in front of a star-studded audience in London, that included Stella McCartney and Kate Hudson
Ageless! Also among those at the show was fellow rock legend Jon Bon Jovi
He went onto recall being at Theiss’ bedside 50 years later when he died of cancer, telling the crowd: ‘I realised his passing would leave me the last living member of that first small band of guys who got together in that little house.
‘Death is like you’re standing on the railroads tracks with an oncoming train bearing down upon you, but it brings a certain clarity of thought and a purpose and a meaning…
‘Death’s final and lasting gift to all of us is an expanded vision of this life, of how important it is to seize the day whenever you can.’
He went onto dedicate Last Man Standing to his late bandmate, saying: ‘George passed away and shortly after I wrote this song and it’s just about the passions you follow as kids, not knowing where they’re going to lead you and how at 15 its all hellos and later on there’s a lot more hard goodbyes.
‘So be good to yourself and the ones that you love and to this world that we live in.’
Bruce also took a moment to poke fun at being cut off early during his last BST set in 2012, which was cut short after he and guest Paul McCartney ran over curfew.
After launching into an encore that included Born In The USA and Born To Run, he delivered a rendition of Glory Days, before turning to his guitarist Steven van Zandt and telling him: ‘It’s time to go home. I’m telling you they are going to pull the f***ing plug again!’
Van Zandt replied, in jest: ‘F*** ’em!’ before Bruce launched into another medley of hits Dancing in the Dark and Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.
Riding high! Bruce kicked off his set alongside his famous E Street Band with an energetic rendition of No Surrender, before moving onto Ghosts, Prove It All Night and Letter To You
Looking good! The New Jersey rocker showed no signs of slowing down as he delivered a medley of his biggest hits for the huge crowd
Looking back: Later in the show, Bruce reflected on the ‘greatest adventure of his life’ when he joined his first band in the mid-60s with George Theiss
Reflective: He went onto recall being at Theiss’ bedside 50 years later when he died of cancer
Insight: ‘Death is like you’re standing on the railroads tracks with an oncoming train bearing down upon you, but it brings a certain clarity of thought and a purpose and a meaning,’ he said
His show was praised by critics who were in attendance, with The Telegraph’s James Hall awarded the show a coveted five stars.
He wrote: ‘The Boss may be in his eighth decade. But, backed by a tight E Street Band and under a golden setting sun, he played with fire in his belly, a twinkle in his eye, and the energy of a man half his age.
‘I honestly don’t know how he did it. And if he was emotionally wrung-out by the end, spare a thought for the 65,000 fans who watched him. Slack-mouthed amazement – with the odd tear-stained cheek – seemed to be the general vibe.’
Writing for The Evening Standard, Mary Beaumont awarded the set four stars, writing: ‘If Springsteen ever had the number on which to phone in a performance, it clearly became sweat-soaked and unreadable decades ago.
‘At 73 he’s now putting rockers a third of his age to shame, hitting the stage with a No Surrender that sounded like a statement of intent and blazing through enough chrome-wheeled glory rock to give organisers itchy plug fingers.’
Designer Stellar cut a stylish figure in a grey boiler suit as she watched Bruce take to the stage.
Retired tennis star Roger Federer and Bob Geldof were also among the crowd at the show, which is the first of Bruce’s two performances at the festival.
Actress Kate opted for a chic white and yellow embroidered sundress as she arrived at the festival with her pal Stella, after the pair were seen partying together at Glastonbury last month.
Bruce ended his show with an intimate acoustic rendition of I’ll See You In My Dreams.
He is set to close out the BST with another show on Saturday, while Billy Joel will take to the stage on Friday, and Lana Del Rey will headline on Sunday.
It comes after Bruce unintentionally made his Amsterdam show one fans won’t soon forget after he took a major tumble on stage.
The I’m On Fire singer drew gasps from fans as he tripped and fell after climbing several steps on the stage on Saturday.
Fans watched The Boss roll onto his back and lay on the floor with his guitar still in hand before his concerned colleagues promptly rushed over to assist him.
His guitarist stepped in to remove his instrument while two concert workers manually hoisted Bruce back onto his feet.
Fortunately, the fall didn’t shake Bruce up too much.
Edgy! Designer Stellar cut a stylish figure in a grey boiler suit as she watched Bruce take to the stage
Bold! She accessorised her look with a black and white leather cross-body bag as she arrived for the concert with her pal Kate
Chic! Actress Kate opted for a chic white and yellow embroidered sundress as she arrived at the festival with her pal Stella
Beaming! The Hollywood star enjoyed the London sunshine as she made her way to the show
Looking sharp! Bob Geldof was in good spirits as he arrived for Bruce’s first show at the festival
Icon: Bon Jovi watched Bruce’s stellar show unfold from a nearby balcony
Enjoying retirement? After his special appearance at Wimbledon this week, tennis legend Roger Federer enjoyed a night out at the concert
Pals! Presenter Dermot O’Leary and Manchester United star Gary Neville also enjoyed Burce’s stellar show
Casual: The pair were seen chatting together at the concert, the first of Bruce’s two shows this weekend to close out the festival
Alleviating any concerns his fans may have had, Bruce, who is currently on a world tour, quickly smiled before addressing the audience.
‘Good night everybody!’ he roared into the microphone while throwing his hand into the air and beginning another song.
Bruce has been traveling the world for his latest tour, Springsteen and E Street Band 2023 Tour.
His tour consists of 37 shows in 32 locations. His next stops will be in Landgraaf, Netherlands, Zurich, Switzerland, and Birmingham, UK.