2003-08-11 Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA

Scheduled: 19:30 Local Start Time 20:31 / End Time 23:46

Info & Setlist | Venue

A rare "From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)" kicks off a great set. "Pretty Flamingo" is played for the first time since 1978, without any story about long legged girls walking past on the street. Also included - "Be True", "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City", a full band "Incident On 57th Street" and "I'm Goin' Down", the latter by request. "Out In The Street" includes "South Street". "Mary's Place" includes "The Monkey Time" and "Baby I've Been Missing You". "Streets Of Philadelphia" is the full band version. Final tour performances for "From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)", "Atlantic City", and "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City", and "Streets Of Philadelphia".

Mike	I was shutout for tickets for the first two nights so I was thrilled to get tickets for the third show. Most people probably felt the Friday and Saturday shows would be the best shows and passed on the Monday show but Monday was probably the best of the three. That night, it was a "balmy, Philadelphia evening" according to Bruce and he was right. Bruce and the band started the show with a song I had never heard. A few songs later, he played "Night" which is great live. Bruce said "we're going to chase away the Monday blues" so I had a feeling I was in for a great night. Later, it was great to hear "Darlington County" which is a rarity. The remainder of the show was great with a great mix of old and new songs. Who can forget Bruce getting the crowd to howl at the full moon during "Ramrod", 25 years after his "Teenage Werewolf" story in Cleveland. Even though I had an idea of what Bruce would play, being there live was like hearing Bruce play live for the first time. Thanks for a great show Bruce.
Pete	In a word…..WOW! I've seen these guys on good days, and some not so good days. Tonight, they were outta sight. Whenever you get the opportunity to hear Be True, Darlington County, and Thunder Road in the same show, you're in. Then throw in bonus songs like From Small Things, Saint, Incident…………..whew! I'm Goin Down was awesome. The crowd was into it, keeping him on for just one more - I'm a Rocker. All in all, this was one of the best shows I've ever seen him play.
Joey Roberts	What a show! The last man standing was Bruce. That was because he wore the entire crowd out! Unreal. From openers, to closers, and in between, non stop highlights. I think the full moon cast an incredible spell over Bruce and the crowd in Philadelphia last night. The three Philly shows went from great, to greater (sat night) to greatest (8/11). No need to see him again.
MB	Bruce was awesome last night. He was fun, funny, and as loose as I have ever seen him live. He started out with a rare song, at that point I knew this was going to be one for the books. When he picked up a guitar, stated he didn't even know if he had the right guitar for this song since he hasn't played it since '86, the whole Linc collectively held its breath. Then "I'm Going Down" rocked the house. Later in the show, he sang Pretty Flamingo so tenderly you knew he could only be talking about one person: "ROSALITA!! What a great lead in for that song. I love his new album, especially Lonesome Day and Mary's Place, but it was great nonetheless to hear the songs that bring you back to your carefree days. Darlington County, Out in the Streets, and I'm A Rocker. The night was also full of the emotional songs as well. Thunder Road, Incident, and Atlantic City, if you go to a show look around you, you are bound to see someone tearing up. He writes so well, you feel as if he writes about you. He performs so well, you feel as if you are in his house at a huge party. There was a party at the Linc last night, and somehow Bruce knew I needed to be there!! Thanks to him for keeping us up and dancing, helping us feel young again, and for aiding in the healing post 9-11.
David Bulitt	Drove from DC to take my 14 year old daughter to her first concert; my 18th Springsteen show since 78. Tons of faithful in my section raving about how it was one of the best shows of all time. Pretty Flamingo, From Small Things, Hard to be a Saint in the City - just unbelievable. Never thought I would hear any of those live. Band was spectacular, as always, especially on Atlantic City, Out in the Street, Badlands and Ramrod. I'm Goin Down a definite add on by request of some lucky ones in the front row. Closed it all up with Rosie, Dancing in the Dark and another add on - I'm a Rocker. Atmosphere was great, band phenomenal, Bruce way on top of his game. Highlight for me was watching my kid pumping her fist during Badlands. I can now rest easy knowing that I have introduced the legendary Springsteen and the E Street Band to my little girl!
Fran L.	I don't know if it was the full moon or not, but Bruce set Philly ablaze last night. If there had been a roof over the new Linc, it would have been blown off. The energy, the cohesiveness, the elation…just like earlier days at the Spectrum in South Philly. Bruce and the E Street Band played a perfect blend of old rockers and new material from The Rising. Can't even begin to describe the joy. My personal favorites: Thunder Road, Atlantic City, My City of Ruins, Incident on 57th Street, Streets of Philadelphia. Only one thing could have made it better. Bruce!!! I am dying to hear Jungleland live again! Thank you so much and hurry back soon!
Lisa	If you thought the Friday night show rocked, you should've seen the Philly show Monday night! Bruce howled at the moon and of course we all followed suit!! He even played I'm going Down-first time live since 86! He actually took requests from the crowd!! He is unstoppable!! A very powerful 3 hr.18 minute set!!!! His birth certificate mat SAY Jersey… but we count him as one of our own!!! GO BRUCE!!!!
Sid	From Small Things was a real treat. I have a recording of Dave Edmonds doing it, but this is my first time hearing the song done by its author, Bruce Springsteen. What a great way to open a fabulous show. This is one of the best Bruce performances I've ever seen. Second only to his 9-24-99 show at the Spectrum. Bruce even had us howling at the moon at one point. Great Stuff!!
Danielle	I shed a tear! Honestly, this show has moved me in ways never imagined! I took my little brother (he is 18 and this was his second show), I am 25 and it was my 12th. I could not be more happy to have shared this experience with him and to welcome him to the religion of "Brucism". Hearing "Incident" live was an absolute thrill! Bruce and the band had an energy I haven't seen before! Their sound was so sharp and tight…from the Professors jams on the piano, to Max banging the drums with all he had, to Suzie rockin' out on the violin…it was a musical spectacular! I stood there, for three hours feeling like I was one of the luckiest people in the world to understand, and fully "get" what this band stands for, what these shows mean, each one holding a new memory and moment in time… I truly feel like being a Springsteen fan gives me meaning in this world, and a show like 8/11/03 is only further proof to that. Rock on!
Casey	I have seen Bruce live many times in small and large venues. He was amazing and the E. Street Band was tight and right on. The setlist was supreme. I admire his talent and energy more each and every time I see him. I was also impressed to see a whole new generation of Springsteen fans rocking to the old and the new stuff. Bruce and the band are like wine they just get better with age.
Howard	What an amazing show. When Bruce opened up with From Small Things I knew we were in for a treat. There is no better place to see Bruce than Philly. Bruce was having the time of his life tonight. Howling at the moon on Ramrod playing Incident and Going Down based on requests from the audience. This goes down as one of my top two Bruce shows with the other being his 50th Birthday show at the Spectrum.
xnyerinsf	As a veteran of forty some-odd shows from coast to coast, I have to agree with those who say that Bruce saves some of his best concerts for Philly. This was one for the ages - and for the hardcore fans. From extreme rarities (From Small Things…, Pretty Flamingo) to rarely-played favorites (Incident, I'm Going Down, I'm a Rocker) to the rediscovered anthem Night, to the Professor's ultra-extended play solo and Bruce howling at the moon during Ramrod, to the haunting Streets of Philadelphia to the heartfelt renditions of the new "Rising" classics, this show easily makes my personal top five. Unlike the NY and north Jersey fans, the Philly fans don't demand a super blockbuster every night - and they're not pissed off like a lot of the NY'ers are when they don't get one. But when Bruce outdoes himself in Philly, like Monday, the fans really show their appreciation. If the crowd didn't seem as loud as one would expect (as a reviewer of one of the other Philly shows noted), I would blame the odd stadium design (completely open at the corners - not a "bowl" like Giants stadium), not the crowd. Also, Bruce had a funny quip about the Big Man and cheesesteaks, although I don't remember exactly what it was.
TheBone	My first show, even though I am an old fart. I couldn't believe that tickets were still available, so we went. Got lucky with 37th row, dead center, just in front of the sound mixing booth. Thoroughly enjoyed it. What an unbelievable performer, extremely charismatic and engaging. Great voice; extremely soulful (love when he gets the crowd to do the back-up vocal, then just vamps over it — even the intro of the band members was a display of raw singing talent); advancing age doesn't seem to have touched his range. And (as a jazz fan), I've got to point out he's also a great bandleader; those were fantastic arrangements; with the sax, violin, organ, and piano, he's got a perfectly proportioned band with great musicians (I especially appreciated Roy Bittan — not too many rock bands have a pianist who contributes that much) who can really thump out the funk or slide easily into country, and, under Bruce's leadership, stop and go on a dime. And how many times did Bruce yell "1…2…3…4!" Didn't really care for the Linc, though being so close luckily, we had no sound problems. Getting into and out of the field seats was a nightmare (I guess that, like the missing water fountains, they forgot to plan for this). The 24 oz Miller Lites had to be the worst, fizziest, most watered down beer I've ever had. Video screens were good though. I've definitely got Bruce fever now; I see what it's all about. Gotta fill out the old CD collection. Favorite song from the show: "Night".
Adam	My first show!!! A friend and I scored floor tickets and 5 minutes into the set we were floored!! Bruce showed himself to be the consummate showman with this spectacular set. I'm hooked. Completely. Whenever Bruce comes back to Philly, or hits the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, where I am at college, I'll be there.
Ray C.	Just when you thought you seen it all Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band go one better! One of the most exciting shows I have ever scene. From the opening song "From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come) you knew it could be a special night. Where do you begin with this one? "Night", "Darlington County", "Out in The Street", "Atlantic City", "Saint in The City" and "Incident on 57th St." to name a few. By request (A sign held up in front) Bruce thought out loud if he could remember that one before going into "I'm Going Down". So far on this tour "Thunder Road" has not been played so close together in set lists (previous night). It was done again tonight by request of local DJ and long time friend of Bruce Ed Sciaky whose daughter requested it. After saying "Oh I Don't know, we just played it last night", Bruce later in the show started the classic, walked over to Sciaky's daughter, wide armed, and said "OK????" judging from the crowd's reaction, it was fine. Three great shows in Philly ended with one to remember.

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