Bruce Springsteen and E Street at Sea Hear Now in Asbury Park: 5 songs we want to hear
Greetings from Asbury Park, E Street fans.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will headline the Sunday, Sept. 15, Sea Hear Now show on the North Beach in Asbury Park.
“Hurt Somebody” singer-songwriter Noah Kahan headlines the Saturday, Sept. 14, show. Gaslight Anthem, the Trey Anastasio Band, the Black Crowes, Norah Jones, 311, the Revivalists, Kool & The Gang, the Hives and more will play over the two days on the fest’s three stages on the North Beach and in Bradley Park.
There’s also artwork, some by the performers, and surfing at the fest. Tickets are sold out but some are available starting $220 for Saturday and $330 for Sunday on the secondary market. Visit the festival website at www.seahearnowfestival.com for more info.
Springsteen appeared unannounced at the inaugural Sea Hear Now in 2018 with Social Distortion, but performances with the E Street Band in Asbury Park have been rare. The last one was in 2010 at the Carousel House on boardwalk to record the “Songs from the Promise” video and “Live from the Carousel” EP.
The performance was the last time Clarence Clemons appeared with the band before his passing.
The Springsteen and E Street Band Sea Hear Now appearance is looking like it’s going to be a very special night. Several of Springsteen’s classic songs are set on the Asbury Park beachfront. Here’s five that might lead to some very magical moments in Little Eden.
‘Spirit in the Night’
All aboard, and that includes Crazy Janey and Hazy Davy. The warmer the better on the nighttime beach for this lightly swinging jazzy classic from “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.” The song depicts wanderlust at the Jersey Shore and dancing under the moonlight. That should set the scene perfectly on the North Beach.
‘Seaside Bar Song’
Springsteen has said this jump-rock nugget was written after a trip to the Osprey in Manasquan, but certainly Asbury Park has a few seaside bars. The Stone Pony and Wonder Bar are on Ocean Avenue and the Break, Low Dive, the Watermark and Tim McLoone’s Supper Club are on the city’s boardwalk.
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‘Thunder Road’
This classic from the “Born to Run” album doesn’t directly reference Asbury Park, but it would be quite a moment to have the 30,000 or so singing along to it on the beach.
‘Born to Run’
The hemi-powered drones screaming down the boulevard in Asbury Park have been replaced by Ubers, and the Palace Amusements is no more. But you, me and Springsteen and the E Street Band are still here and there’s no place left to hide.
‘4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)’
Fireworks won’t be hailin’ over Little Eden in Sept. 15. It’s the music of Springsteen and the E Street Band that’ll be lighting up the night. Fifty years after its release on “The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle,” this ode to leaving the “boardwalk life” of Asbury Park will resound with new spirit if performed. Will it be played? Only Springsteen and Madam Marie know for sure.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: 5 classics we want to hear from The Boss at Sea Hear Now 2024
