1985-03-31 QE II Jubilee Sports Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Scheduled: 18:00 Local Start Time 18:40 / End Time 20:20

Info & Setlist | Venue

Final tour performances for "Nebraska" and "Who'll Stop The Rain". First ever performances in Australia of "Nebraska", "I'm Goin' Down", and "Who'll Stop The Rain". The only Born In The U.S.A. Tour show that is not circulating on audio and, as such, one that has seen a number of highly speculative setlists make the rounds. Brucebase's listing of a 29-song setlist (and sequencing) is culled from unearthed information in The Brisbane Courier Mail, The Australasian Weekly and the collective (but agreed upon) recollections of several actual Brisbane show attendees. The song placement may not be totally accurate, however. Bruce opened this show with the comment, "Are you guys ready for a little rock and roll trip?" During "Thunder Road", the final song of the first set, Bruce tried in vain to get the audience to sing some of the lines, prompting him to jokingly comment to the crowd "sounds like you didn't get this one down here". Near the end of the show Bruce, peering out at the rain soaked crowd, predicated a rare performance of "Who'll Stop The Rain" with the comment, "We're gonna play something especially for you guys on account of the meteorological conditions." A gig marred by poor decisions by both Bruce's management team and the event promoter. This concert was originally scheduled for the 8,000-seat outdoor Brisbane Chandler Velodrome. However tickets were on sale for only a few days when the venue was suddenly shifted to the expansive 50,000-seat QEII stadium in Nathan, a southern suburb of Brisbane. The concert eventually was a near sellout. The sound system was inadequate for the size of the venue and the stadium's large video screen was out of synchronization with the audio. Unlike the Sydney shows, a no-alcohol policy was in place for the Brisbane show, a policy that many patrons were unaware of and which the Police strictly enforced - resulting in significant delays getting into the stadium. In addition to the alcohol issue the Brisbane Courier noted over 50 cameras and some 20 recording devices were confiscated from patrons entering the stadium. This probably explains why, even after so many years, no audience recording is known to exist.

Geoff Howse	Having recently rediscovered my handwritten set list from this show, I offer the following: Lead up Stage Music: Eidelweiss, Rainbow Connection, Love Story. BS&TESB 6.40pm: Born in the USA, Darlington County, Out in the Street, Working on the Highway, Johnny 99, Atlantic City Reason to Believe, The River, Johnny Bye Bye, Prove It All Night, Glory Days, Promised Land, My Hometown, Badlands, Thunder Road Intermission 8.10pm — 8.45pm Cover Me, Dancing in the Dark, Hungry Heart, Cadillac Ranch, Going Downbound Train¹, I'm On Fire, Pink Cadillac, Bobby Jean, Racing in the Street, I Can't Help Falling in Love With You, Born to Run, Ramrod, Who'll Stop the Rain², Medley - Rocking All Over the World/Twist and Shout/Do You Love Me? 10.20pm. ^{1 That's what I wrote - could have been either; 2 It rained during the show.} And just to add one more note for Debra's benefit … my wife was pregnant at the time. Our son was born 30th Oct 1985. He's also a big Bruce fan.
Andrzej	The show overall was really underwhelming — I remember "Atlantic City" as it was the only song that I was really impressed by — the venue was waaaay too big and it was the first time I'd heard him describing himself as the 'Boss' - it felt like he had reached a point where he was believing the press.
Howard Chinn	I was only 12 years old and spent the night at my grandmothers whilst my parents attended what ended up being one of the loudest concerts ever in Brisbane, possibly surpassing the huge KISS concert. We heard every word Bruce spoke or sang. My grandmothers house is 3 miles from the stadium. The whole city was abuzz with "The Boss".
Gabrielle	I can't believe that I actually got front row for this, I was alive for days after — I might have been almost crushed but it was worth it for the smiles from Bruce and Clarence. I remember thinking there must have been a chopper overhead, there was a rhythmic metallic sound, but it turned out to be the pounding feet of those sitting on the bleachers, and the sound of everyone yelling "Bruuuuuuuuuuce" was overwhelming. Had to take a 10-hour overnight bus ride back for work the next day and was a wreck but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Phil Ward	I think Ramrod was after Who'll Stop the Rain. Amazingly the rain stopped just before the end of that cover. Stage had two runway arms which Bruce ventured onto several times. Thought it might have gone longer having seen all the Sydney shows but Bruce was into a Limo behind the stage before anyone had moved from the end of the Medley. Maybe there were concerns about the crowd size. An interesting note re ticket sales, you had to apply by mail with a Queensland address or you couldn't get them. Not sure if there was a ballot for tickets but they were definitely sold out.
Kylie Sheffield	This was my first concert. I was 15. Queued on the hill from 12.30 and sprinted once the gates opened to make it to the front of the pit. We made it to the 2nd row. The most incredible concert I've seen, but set the bar too high for any other artist or band to ever measure up.
Debra	I was 28 when I went to this amazing concert in Brisbane with my husband and had a front row grandstand seat. I loved every moment of Bruce's concert, which was so loud and energetic. I was so elated and dancing for days after he sang one particular song, looking right at me… I was swept off my feet and my earth literally moved!!!! :))))) A week later, I found out I was expecting a BABY! and my beautiful baby Son was literally BORN 9 months later in BRISBANE, December 1985! An extra Wonderful memory and tribute, I live with to this day and my Son now 27 loves and works with great music, still today in Brisbane! He now also loves Bruce's music and treasures my 'Born in the USA Vintage program' from the Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA Tour 31 March, 1985, QE2 Stadium, Brisbane, Australia.
Warrwick Hoad	Like everyone else, I was a huge Bruce fan. I was so worried that I'd miss out on tickets that I applied for about 6 lots of 4. Busted the bank account. But I got everyone one. Needless to say, I sold them (at cost) to all my mates. Worth every cent. The BEST concert I'd ever been to. I saw him again on Feb 26 2014 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. THAT was even better. The stand out was playing the entire Wild album. A night to die for.
John Stewart	It seemed like the biggest thing that had ever hit Brisbane. Well, the biggest thing that had ever hit me in Brisbane, anyway - which amounted to the same thing. Somebody else has commented here about the whole city being "abuzz with The Boss", and it was. There was a kind of collective excitement in Brissie that would be pretty hard to replicate these days, when the internet age has splintered and pigeonholed us all into so many worlds in one town. But in 1985 - on July 31st - Bruce was the biggest show in town. He was the ONLY show in town (though funnily enough, I seem to remember an ex-Genesis drummer doing a concert at Festival Hall that same night, in an event which must have caused some backstage discussion on scheduling…). Those years at high school trying to explain to my ignorant classmates who my musical hero was ("No!! Not Rick Bloody Springfield!!!!!")… It was all coming to a head. Forty-something thousand of us lined up. The gates opened and I dashed, one in a sea of thousands, as fast as my teenage legs would carry me…dashed up through the stand, tore down the stand, leaping over the railing onto the field for that last, desperate run to the front. Made it. Then a long wait. It got dark. Some bloke in a dinner suit appeared. I thought he was going to be an announcer. But then his friends turned up, and they sat down to play: a string quartet! (Or was it a quintet?? I wasn't counting.) Anyway, they played. Maybe they were testing the treble in the stadium sound system. The crowd was bemused, the natives became restless. The chant arose…."Bullshiiiiiiit!!!! Bullshiiiiit!!!" I think a tomato or two appeared. Fruit, anyway. People leave the stage, looking cross, waving violins in indignation. The crowd exalts. Lights go down. Out of the darkness "One, Two, Three, FOUR!!!!!" Garry Tallent's baseline hits me like a sonic boom square in the chest and we're away…. I could write a lot more, but you get the picture. I have never managed to find much footage ever of this show. I found a local news report on Youtube, and what came back so strongly was the incredible shrieking noise in the air when Bruce and band kicked into "Born in the USA". It was like an aeroplane taking off. The crowd was nuts. Anyway, what has got me here writing all this is that this evening I am sitting reading Bruce's autobiography. In it, he mentions Slane Castle in June 1985 as his first stadium concert. Bruce - I guess you'll never read this, but what about QEII Stadium in Brisbane that March?? Little ol' Brissie was your first stadium concert, wasn't it? First concert I ever saw. What a start. Hard to say what has been the best… but Bruce in March 2014 in Brisbane would probably top my list. Roll on the 2017 tour! Oh, and our belated apologies to the quartet/quintet. It was nothing personal, and I am sure that what you were playing was lovely. **Whoops…correction. The 2014 Brisbane show was in late February. I echo the comments of others: maybe the best show I could ever imagine…..

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