Los Angeles Concert #1-Photo Dump, Setlist, and Celebrity Social Media Posts
Thursday, April 4, 2024 Entry #82
My “Showtime” post (Entry #80), detailing my experience at the first of two Bruce Springsteen concerts in Los Angeles, contained a few of my very favorite pictures from the show, but it was heavier on videos. Here I thought I would include a bunch of the other photos that I took from my prime spot on the standing room only floor area (“the pit”) at the LA Forum.
It’s awfully tempting, with a vantage point so close to the stage, to focus the lens (of a camera and of your eyes!) primarily on the living legend that is Springsteen with occasional pivots to some of the more charismatic members of his supporting cast. However, I do like to pull back once in a while and take in the perspective of the powerful full E Street Band, which at this point is 19 musicians strong!
Then, at some point in the midst of all of that joyful rock and soul wall of sound, the band clears off, leaving Springsteen as a lone figure on stage with an acoustic guitar. He proceeds to command our attention in a different manner, soft-voiced, evocative, and dignified.
With all of the talent and personality flowing at once, there is always a lot going on at a Bruce Springsteen show:
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce887b4-e197-4965-8fc3-e58be61fe868_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F28324729-2bc2-4f9a-be67-bc913ad1a838_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a51db00-d26b-4eed-bab1-c55a80ed5777_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1a36a5e4-3670-4f9d-afaf-22a7cfa7948e_1938x2525.jpeg)
Springsteen has a special dynamic with Jake Clemons, and their mutual admiration and affection is always obvious:
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9621a50b-c601-4039-9a64-55ce68687b75_3024x2870.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fce261d6c-cd6a-4894-83d1-06a93dd7103f_2238x2483.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1b7ce242-c04b-4f46-a1d6-920422a6afa4_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcb1a3e40-399a-4686-a873-d2f2886ec71a_1964x2016.jpeg)
As I have already reported, Springsteen shared some quality musical moments with his wife Patti at this concert as well:
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4ef547a6-27d1-42df-8fd4-fe3ed54bc521_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff7f57e4b-2b6e-42d4-9119-34ca43bdcf7c_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdd8847fe-8a53-4894-b092-8c6cdcf8e028_4032x3024.jpeg)
More pictures from tonight’s concert:
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F17f8e3c0-b137-472e-99b3-8724c7e4a44c_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc86b7609-9f24-40c6-b947-b816ded76a07_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F655c1a08-81d7-46e3-931a-848aba29fa64_2735x2541.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1d8b4cce-7eb6-4445-a2f1-7f438b354299_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F24d329a1-4876-4449-85c2-a670b7816899_3842x2999.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9215deea-9b29-4084-9c55-8f8818c20c0b_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1856da53-ebaa-47de-95e8-15ba37ffbebb_2853x2721.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9685e9bd-023b-4848-880b-ae1824c52ef9_4032x3024.jpeg)
By now, the final movements of these ecstatic concerts are largely set in stone. First up, a truly rousing “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” in which Springsteen wades through the audience, somehow grasping the outreached hands of fans, posing for selfies with them, and singing his heart out to every seat in the house, all at the same time. After that, the full band takes one more bow before Springsteen makes personal, appreciative contact with each E Streeter as they exit into the backstage area, always with a bear hug for Jake Clemons (whose Uncle Clarence had just been featured in a moving montage on the big screen during the “The Big Man joined the band” segment of “Freeze-Out.”). Finally, after over three hours of “rocking everyone to the ground”-the exact promise that Springsteen makes to ticket holders via video in advance of each stop on the tour-The Boss closes it down tenderly with a gorgeous solo acoustic performance of the mournful and touching “See You In My Dreams.”
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbe68a36f-a939-4cb2-8c47-849bb11b4cd0_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff8ea6ffc-f273-4756-89a8-e92f7e1ebc3c_1359x1490.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b48aa57-fcff-44b0-b9c6-eb617f271627_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd89d5912-ffdc-46d5-8471-1efbc2cb2764_1500x1804.jpeg)
Here is the set list for the show in a new format. I previously used the handy website setlist.fm for this information. However, starting with these 2024 shows, Springsteen’s internet store started selling setlist cards that are printed and released soon after the close of each concert, and I couldn’t resist.
Finally, since it’s Hollywood, there were the requisite celebrity sightings (Tom Hanks, Rob Lowe, Jimmy Kimmel, Michael Keaton, etc.) at the show and post-concert social media posts from the stars. I will just mention two that stood out for me. The first was Henry Winkler, “The Fonz” from the 1970’s sitcom Happy Days, a show that was popular at the same time Springsteen was becoming a rock star. Winkler told a journalist recently that he had a ticket to see Springsteen at the Forum, and he badly wanted a selfie with the Boss. However, he went on to say that he wasn’t sure he would be able to effectively ask for one even if there was an opportunity to do so because he has a history of getting “nervous” around Springsteen. Winkler then described a few brief encounters he has had with Springsteen over the years during which he says, “I made an ass out of myself.” He added wistfully, “I would like to be Bruce Springsteen!” That wish is highly unlikely to come to pass, but on this night one of “Fonzie’s” Springsteen related dreams actually did come true.
I also enjoyed this post from multi-platinum classical/pop artist Josh Groban reporting on his very first live Springsteen experience:
Walking to my car on night one, basking in the good vibes of a great concert and the warm Southern California night air, I looked up to see the Kia Forum lit up in a full Bruce Springsteen salute.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F22239696-d0a8-4be0-b9f7-813e5acc8828_4032x3024.jpeg)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_720,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0e550cfc-c136-4f12-9f2c-b11aae6bdfcf_4032x3024.jpeg)
Day 4