Report from the Road: Victoria in Portland

Thanks to Victoria for her review of last night's show in Portland! She's in Seattle tonight so come on back for another review tomorrow (or whenever she calms down from the show).

The Pacific northwest is known for welcoming an early spring. However
winter isn’t quite over as snow and sleet battered I-5 and the cherry blossoms lining the interstate. The weather cannot damper my spirits, which are very high in anticipation of the Portland show at the Rose Quarter.

I noticed that tickets were still available three hours before concert time so anticipated some empty seats. I attended the “Bruce watch” before the show but left at 6:00 p.m. as he had yet to arrive. During this time I was told his last show in Portland, during the Rising tour, was not well attended with one third of the venue empty.

First a few observations about the Rose Quarter. At full concert capacity it seats around 16,000. Since it is primarily a basketball venue, it is a bit smaller than a hockey arena. The first seven rows were covered in black tarp making “H” the closest row to the stage.

Now onto the show. Bruce appeared to be a bit under the weather. He was not quite in sync with the band right from the opening song, Night. It seemed to me that he was struggling to catch his breath as he did a bit
more talking and pausing between songs. His voice sounded a bit strained
and not as robust as usual. This was my first west coast Springsteen concert and I was told the crowds would be more subdued and laid back – just like the lifestyle. This held true. However the fans, about 14,000 strong, really got going during songs from BTR and Darkness including Candy’s Room. The E Street Band was in top form, especially Max who held together the band when the timing of some songs went a little wonky (Gypsy Biker, Reason to Believe). Bruce seemed to gain some energy during Flood and it continued to the end of the show with more strolling, smiling, swinging around the microphone stand and a trip to see Max. He was in good humour too. He joked about the pot drafts coming up from the pit and made reference to someone stealing his passport. During American Land he improvised the chorus ….” The Blacks, the Irish, the Italians, the Lesbians and the Jews”….a nod to the group in the pit wearing “Lesbians (Heart) Bruce” t-shirts.

There were a few personal highlights – Nils blistering solo on Prove It All Night; the one-two-punch of For You followed by Lost in the Flood; a passionate version of Jungleland. The last three were acknowledgements by Bruce to the many signs held by fans.

One unusual sighting - cotton candy in the pit??!!

Despite a few bumps, tonight’s show was terrific. Tomorrow it’s a 3 hour
drive north on I-5. Needless to say, I’m Key’d up for the show in Seattle
tomorrow.