57 Channels (And Nothin' On)

Research is very important, as are rehearsals. So as I continue to develop this blog I will be posting the occasional short update such as this in order to test how well the Blogger app works on my phone...

Research...

Title track: 57 Channels (And Nothin' On)

All Or Nothin' At All...

So just when I thought it was safe to put away my credit card and start planning my iPod playlists for each leg of my 16 day journey to see all nine Australian Bruce Springsteen concerts, the powers that be announce ANOTHER 'final' concert date.

A third show has been added to Sydney - right smack bang in the middle of the tour, and my epic East coast adventure tour.

Having previously decided that it was in fact ridiculous to go to eight out of nine concerts, and rectify the dilemma by grabbing a General Admission ticket for the final show of the tour at Hanging Rock, there is of course no way that I can miss out on the tenth show to be announced.

Not just because I will have to amend the tagline of my #WreckingBallBlog, but also because it will give me the chance to grab a GA front section ticket for Sydney's All Phones Arena.

Which to date is the only venue on the tour which I have not been able to get a chance to be in the front row.

Another bonus is that while re-arranging my 12 hour train journey for the next day from Sydney to Melbourne, I was bumped up into the buffet cart for free.

Tickets are on sale February 5. (Pre-sale a little earlier). So the mad rush of being online, card details in hand, constantly refreshing my laptop, phone and iPad trying to get the best tickets is going to happen one last time.

Title track: All Or Nothin' At All

Because The Nightwatchman

I can't deny that the absence of Steve Van Zandt from the E Street Band during their tour of Australia in March is a huge disappointment.

Every time I've seen Bruce Springsteen and the band live his presence on stage has played a major part in bringing the crowd into the party and keeping them there.

Not that Springsteen ever needs any help in interacting with the tens of thousands of people he often plays to.

The man is the greatest front man I've seen and is renowned for making a concert of 80,000 people feel like a gig to 800 people with his approach to the fans and interaction with the band.

Van Zandt, centre, brings more than just his guitar to the E Street Band

He's often said himself that there live concerts are like one big party where they have a good time that they let their fans in on. And without question it works.

But with Van Zandt you don't just get an influential friendship that has shaped the band and Springsteen's music for decades, you also get this cheeky little brother who gets to work behind his Boss brother, keeping the audience going and flowing vital energy between Springsteen, the rest of the band and the people in the front rows and beyond.

He's a guy who seems constantly excited to be up there, and seeing that makes the rest of us just as excited to be there.

But although his unavailability for the Australian leg of the 2013 Wrecking Ball tour, due to Lilyhammer shooting commitments, Springsteen has brought a powerful replacement on board which really does make Van Zandt's absence bittersweet.

Tom Morello - The Nightwatchman - has an immense reputation and talent that leaves no one in any doubt he will be fantastic as a replacement guitarist for the nine concert dates in Australia.

Morello to the line-up is definitely putting more fuel on the fire.

And of course as he worked on the latest album it's fitting that he should be involved, as he was on many tour dates in 2012.

But as a full band member, albeit temporary cover for Van Zandt's Lilyhammer-nity leave, Morello brings a different edge to the anticipation of seeing the band live again.

Coming on as a special guest during the band's Hard Rock Calling concert in London's Hyde Park in July - the one where Springsteen and guest Sir Paul McCartney were unbelievably unplugged in the final song - Morello made his presence felt.

Blistering guitars and foot stomping in Wrecking Ball's  Death To My Home Town was an early treat in the set list but the anger and intensity he added, and brought out of Springsteen, during Ghost of Tom Joad was incredible. 

A highlight of the concert, I left with their rendition of that song in my head and it stayed there for weeks.

What Morello will bring to the band is more anger and power behind the themes that shape the Wrecking Ball album. 

They're not just keeping the E Street fire burning, they're throwing logs of dynamite on there.

Which means that a year after the album was first released, the frustration, heartache and fighting spirit that has been behind the music will not have waned.

Although I'm disappointed not to be seeing Van Zandt by Springsteen's side in March, the addition of Morello is both exciting and compelling. 

It's reminded me of the thing that I casually say to everyone who asks why I keep going to the Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band shows when I've already seen them - because they're never the same, you never quite know what to expect, but you do know you are going to be a part of something special.


Title track: Because The Night

Is there anybody alive out there?.....

The countdown has started... in 56 days the #WreckingBallAus Tour will commence. 

With an opportunity to explore Australia's biggest cities and the sights in between with an incredible soundtrack of the greatest live act in the world, I aim to be at every concert on the Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band tour. You can follow the adventure and the excitement right here.... 

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