Bruce Springsteen strengthens his 'The Boss' title in Barcelona's awaited return

When the clock had not even rung the top of the hour at 9 pm, Bruce Springsteen took over a huge stage at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium just shouting: 'Hola Barcelona, hola Catalunya!' At that time, 'The Boss,' finally returned to the Catalan capital years after leaving fans 'Boss'-less in their hometown.

Starting with 'No Surrender,' which was followed by many hits, including 'Downbound Train' featured with Catalan subtitles appearing on the large screens to the sides and center of the stage, Springsteen did not stop for a minute crowned, on top of the stage, with a Catalan and a US flag.

Almost 60,000 attendees filled up the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, as minutes before the gig started promoters announced the 'sold-out,' in a concert as unique as the moment, with Springsteen, accompanied by The E Street Band, starting their 2023 European Tour in the Catalan capital, as well as becoming one of the firsts artists to perform at such venue after the Covid-19 pandemic. Others following The Boss include Coldplay, Beyonce, and Iron Maiden.

Few phones on sight during a full-on rock night full of Springsteen, Springsteen, and more Springsteen as the New Jersey singer sang for almost 3:00 hours at 73 years of age during the first of his two concerts in the city. On one occasion, the artist was accompanied by Michelle Obama and Kate Capshaw, Steven Spielberg's wife. The Obamas and Spielbergs have been visiting the city for the last few hours, with a visit to the Moco Museum and the Sagrada Família basilica.

For someone like me, who has always been hearing about Bruce Springsteen at home because of my father and not being a huge follower of his career, the atmosphere lived on Friday night is, definitely, goosebumps material.

How can someone at his age, with all his energy, just starting a tour across Europe and with all the doubts of a first concert an artist move such a crowd?

And those solos, that silence in a crowded stadium after a never-ending solo… How?

You could clearly see that Springsteen and the E Street Band had made some kilometers together, as just with a look, they knew what was on their minds and what was happening next. Such as an orchestra conductor, playing with the wing section of the band, Springsteen leading the crowd, a full Olympic stadium, and everyone's hearts to the 'E Street Shuffle' song.

We will not take into account that for the first hour of the concert, Springsteen did not even speak to the crowd, aside from the first hello when he jumped on the stage. It took him sixty minutes just to say, from the E Street Band and himself, that "us estimem," (we love you) before starting to sing 'Mary's Place.'

"A moment to think," Springsteen said 90 minutes in when explaining the story of his friend George Theiss, when back in 1965, he introduced 'The Boss' to his first rock and roll band. "If you cut forward 50 years, on another summer afternoon," Springsteen told the crowd when explaining that his friend was dying, leaving him "as the last member of my first band."

At that moment, the artist called on everyone to "be good to yourself, be good to those you love, and be good to the world we live in," as the passing of his friend made him "realize how important living every moment is."

A solemn mood for a solemn song, 'Last Man Standing.'

Another goosebumps moment because of the story behind the song, but that did not stop Springsteen from pushing the crowd to remain on their feet and gift them with 'Backstreets' ahead of other anthems such as 'Thunder Road.'

And not only Bruce Springsteen had the energy to finish a concert that all those present will remember for life. The public did still have enough power to bid farewell to the artist with 'Born in the USA.' 'Born To Run,' 'Glory Days,' and 'Dancing in the Dark' put an end to an almost 3:00 hours concert.

And just as a last present to the city, 'I'll See you in my dreams,' and another 'us estimem i bona nit!"

I guess after living this experience, I will be feeling such as the little girl that not even 30 minutes after the show had started, Springsteen welcomed her on stage and gifted her his harmonica.

His name is Bruce Springsteen, but on Friday in Barcelona, he made clear to everyone why he is 'The Boss.'