I didnt blog last night after the concert, was way to high on rock emotion and all the blog would have contained would be concert related- not that you will escape it completely!!

Had a bit of a lie around the apartment yesterday morning after the very long day out on Thursday. Once I eventually got myself sorted, I headed out and turned left into O’Connell street and walked around. Had a look at all the statues in the main road, the stunning Post Office where the proclamation for the Easter Uprising,in 1916, was read out. I walked through a fresh produce market and the shopping district. Wandered through Dunnes and Marks and Spenser and just the central area in general. I was really disappointed in Dublin. Dirty and smelly (smell of pee pervades). The city was teeming mid afternoon, I found put that there was also an international soccer match between Ireland and Holland on. So the city is bursting at the seams with people and the traffic is so bad, that I decided not to go onto the hop on hop off bus yesterday. headed home to get into Bruce mode – took 1 second!!

I caught a bus that dropped me off close to Croke Park. I have to give the organisers credit for the pedestrian control and organisation of entry and seating. 80 000 people at the concert – I have never experienced so many people on one place at a time, it was mind boggling. My seat was fantastic and I was also incredibly lucky to have serious fans around me. We all commented on how pleasant our little area was – well behaved, friendly and hell we could all sing. The couple to the right of me are both professors at Dublin University – we really had a great chat before the show. After the show they made sure to head me in the right direction with warnings of where to go and how to stay safe. In fact, the walk back to my apartment was like surfing a human wave of people. I cannot begin to explain walking out with 80 000 people….the crowd never seems to dissipate.

The concert was unbelievable – I do not have enough superlatives to use to describe it. The weather played along – I only put my jacket on about an hour before the end. No rain and no wind. The setlist was mindblowing…some songs that are very rarely played live, like Roulette, Lost in the Flood and Jungleland. I will post the set list at the bottom for those of you who care – maybe one person!!! the photos that I have posted are also the official ones downloaded off the net – much better quality. The panorama shots are mine. I never took too many photos or video, I just really focused on the stage and the music. Patti Scialfi was also on stage (Bruce’s wife)  – although this was my 10th concert, I have only seen her on stage once before. She did not come to SA nor to Oz and NZ. The Boss rocked his way through 33 songs that lasted just over 3.15 hours. His usual energetic, focussed and passionate performance.There is a time limit at Croke Poke of 11pm, because it is in the heart of a residential  area. The poor buggers who live nearby, it must be hell with the sports and concerts.

The professors were very upset to hear that I was staying in the Temple Bar area. They said – and I agree wholeheartedly, that it is a seedy and shady area. It is filthy dirty and infested with hen and stag party groups, drunks and homeless. I didn’t research this one properly for sure. In fact I was quite disillusined with Dublin. But they then told me where to go and eat and shopping areas and hey presto a whole new world. Today I was on the hop on Hop off bus. The newly renovated (5 years ago) docklands area is fantastic and spotless. The Dublin Castle, St Stephens Green, Dame Street, St Patricks Cathedral, Phoenix Park, the old Jail  – look fantastic. Tomorrow I will go to the actual sites. I did go to the gardens at the Castle, saw the statue of Molly Malone, explored the Post Office and walked around the theatre area. Much cleaner and less smelly. I am now far more interested in Dublin and am looking forward to exploring more tomorrow. There are some beautiful buildings around.

These hen and stag parties are something to be seen. The problem of binge drinking is also massive over here. Most of the sirens you hear are ambulances dealing with drunken incidents and accidents. The behaviour of these groups of guys or girls is bizarre, completely self absorbed and determined to show everyone, who is looking, that they are having a great time – so obviously trying too hard!

Next concert is tomorrow night. I am sitting on the opposite side of the stadium tomorrow, so looking forward to the view from Suzi Tyrrell’s side of the stage. Now that I know what to expect I am super excited again. I dont think I will get to be with 80 000 of my best friends ever again.  Cant wait to hear the setlist and to soak up that atmosphere, energy and passion.

Setlist Dublin 27 May
Darkness on the edge of town

Badlands

My love will not let you down

Roulette

Ties that bind

Sherry Darling

Two hearts

No surrender

Hard to be a saint in the city

Back in your arms

Hungry Heart

Out on the street

Crush on you

You can look but You better not touch

Death to my hometown

Lost in the flood

The River

Cadillac ranch

Working on the highway

Promised Land

Waiting on a Sunny day

Tougher than the rest

Because the night

Spirit in the night

The Rising

Thunder Road

Jungle Road

Tramps like us

Dancing in the Dark

10th Avenue Freeze out

Shout

Bobby Jean

This Hard Land