Thanks to Alan and Suzanne for their last report from the Isle of Wight Festival. In their own words. Ed
Following heavy rain, conditions underfoot on Sunday were very wet and muddy in places on the Festival site, but music fans were in good spirits.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds were on stage on Sunday. On Thursday night they had played a concert in the Polish city of Gdansk. It was the perfect opportunity for football fan Noel to enjoy Euro 2012.
Back in England, when their hour long set ended England fans made their way to the large screen to watch the quarter final tie against Italy.
“Isle of Wight-Are you Alright?”
Those who stayed in the main arena (the vast majority) to see ‘The Boss’ were treated to something rather special.
When Bruce (real name Frederick Joseph) Springsteen and the E. Street Band took to the stage he commented “Isle of Wight-Are you Alright?” before launching into his first song ‘Badlands’.
At the end of the song he came forward to salute the audience. An accomplished performer he certainly knows how to win a Festival crowd over.
Ninth UK No.1 album
‘We Take Care of Our Own’ is the lead track from his latest album, which gave him his ninth UK No.1 album in March. He then performed the title track ‘Wrecking Ball’ which is also the name of his current World Tour.
That tour began in Seville and the night before his sojourn to Seaclose Park he was performing at the home stadium of Manchester City F.C.
After 30 minutes on stage he introduced all the members of his E. Street Band but revealed that his wife Patti Scialfa was back home, seeing the kids through college.
Interacted well with fans
Bruce engaged well with the audience making regular excursions down to the edge of the stage to greet and shake hands with fans. At one point he joked he had left his wellies in Glastonbury.
A rousing version of ‘Because the Night’ which he jointly wrote with Patti Smith was followed by ‘(Down To) The River’ (how appropriate with the stage just metres from the River Medina) and ‘The Rising’.
Classic Bruce
Towards the end of his set he launched into a high octane fusillade of well known hits. Having ignited the crowd with ‘Born in the USA’ he continued with ‘Born To Run’, ‘Glory Days’ and ‘Dancing In the Dark’.
During the latter he brought a young lady from the audience on stage to dance with. In return she put a woolly had on his head.
At the end he paid tribute to the late Clarence Clemons- the Big man- his erstwhile saxophonist. Now his nephew Juke Clemons takes the role.
Out with a bang
After two hours 40 minutes of unbridled energy Bruce and the band took their bow. Bruce then remarked ” Someone told me there was going to be fireworks. We ain’t going home till we’ve seen them.” Cue fireworks!
For the first time at Seaclose, the Sunday headliner actually performed the soundtrack to the pyrotechnics. ‘Twist and Shout’ filled the bill.
What a Show! What a performance! How can John Giddings top that? Perhaps he should book U2 for next year.
Within minutes of coming off stage Bruce and the Band were given a police escort to the ferry port.
