Manchester – JaksTrips

I miss my Bruce buddy. Dearest Chris, you were there in my heart and as Bruce said at the end: “The E Street Band loves you”.

This was my 16th show, which sounds a lot but compared with some of the fans is just a piddle in the ocean. I can’t imagine how much I would have to earn to attend all the shows on the tour or how that works out with the time to take to do that.

I got to Manchester just after 4p.m. and parked in the Velodrome car park for a tenner. A few minutes walk to the stadium and good for getting out later. Funniest comment I overheard was “I had no idea he was this popular!” Ah well, the stadium only holds 50,000 people….

The gates opened at about 4.30. My bag was searched but not very thoroughly and so I managed to smuggle in my camera in my pocket and a big bottle of water, neither of which are permitted but seeing as everyone carries recording devices in their pockets it’s a bit pointless to say that. I was grateful for the water as it’s very expensive in the stadium, £3 for a small bottle.

It was cold and wet. I got myself a slice of pizza for £5, looked like it had been mutilated really but food not allowed in, just about edible. Small bottle of Heineken for £5. And then another one. Outrageous they are allowed to get away with it but captive audience. Last time Chris, Carol and I were at Etihad, it also pissed down but we had a deluxe picnic in the car in the car park. I should perhaps have done that but the early start for the show didn’t help.

Got into my thankfully covered seat in good location. Got chatting to guy next to me. He was nice and kind. He went off as he didn’t actually have a seat, was keeping dry, to be replaced by morose chap.

Bruce arrived just after 7p.m. The set list: http://www.backstreets.com/setlists.html

Patti wasn’t in the band. Bruce brought the band members, Nils, Stevie, Soozie, Jake out onto the prongs that go into the audience which was great. Show was about 3 and a bit hours.

I managed to get out and to my car without too much hassle and was home before midnight.

Highlights for me:

The Ties that Bind
Out on the Street
The River

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y36NRFUPsnk]

Working on the Highway (Bruce bum wiggle, love it!)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ1Mmkqa1G8]

Bobby Jean
This Hard Land (solo acoustic)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6SxF6K6mcI]

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Carol, Chris and I left our house in a torrential downpour at 4pm. The rain was so heavy I got drenched just getting across the road to get into the car.
Despite all warnings about huge queues and difficulties parking we got to the Etihad Stadium in darkest East Manchester quite quickly. It was very very wet indeed going along the M62 but getting to the car park was an absolute breeze. We parked up and then had a gourmet picnic in the car. This was a great way to start the evening. We had cold meats, cheeses and salads plus some nice juice and chilled white wine.
At about 6.15, we left the car and it actually wasn’t raining so much. I took a rucksack with drinks (normally forbidden) and extra clothes. In the short walk across to the stadium it was my feet that got completely soaked, as my boots let in every drop. They dried out quickly but at one point I thought I was going to be uncomfortable all evening.
Getting to our seats was really easy and we were on the left side facing the stage but quite far back. No problem for viewing the screens and we could just see the band on the stage.
The band came on at 7.20 to Badlands and played on till about 10.40. 30 song set.
Highlights for me were Wrecking Ball, Save My Love, The Promise, The River.
After the show, we went back and sat in the car until we could get out of the car park. We drank not very hot coffee out of the flask.
Then easily home. Chris and I reckon that Bruce is better in Euroland where the audiences are more appreciative and actually stop to listen to the quiet numbers. Here, they just talk and shout all through them. For me, I want to hear all the passion, whether it’s rock and roll or emotional ballad. That’s the main thing, gives us 100%.

Greasy Lake set list