BOOTLEG BOSS
IAC 25th January 2025
What a cracking night at the International Arts Centre last night... a real fixture for early in the year and always eagerly anticipated, the return of the Bootleg Boss... Springsteen tribute band.
My first visit to the IAC for a "standing" rock show so was interested to see how it worked... As we entered the lights were down, there was an air of anticipation and excitement in the air and the atmosphere was already building to something special...
The band hit the stage around 8.40 to a huge reception and crashed straight into the show...and from the off Springsteen classic followed classic... and just about every introduction was recognised and cheered... early on the gentle guitar, then harp, heralded 'The River" before first monster track of the evening... and there was a kind of intake of breath before the audience joined singing the song and belting out the chorus... a mighty performance.
The band carried on through the superb catalogue of music available, eventually another familiar harp introduction and as the song started the audience, as always, roared out the familiar "Mary's dress waved... " verse and hit a peak at the "Have a little faith there's magic in the night... you aint a beauty but hey you're alright".... as the band rocked like fury though "Thunder Road"... the first half ended, as ever with a tumultuous version of "Jungleland". This was simply exceptional and I have to single out the sax man who's lengthy solo was simply sublime... absolutely stunning.
The second half carried on where it left off... classic after classic thrilling the audience until what was i think meant to be the last song, "Dancing in the Dark"... an absolute tour de force performance that rocked along like a runaway express train...It seemed impossible to follow it... but at least half a dozen more "This is the last one's" followed ending, eventually, after more than 2-1/2 hours of wonderful music with "Born to Run" "Glory Days" and "Bobby Jean"
I didnt think it possible... but this band just seem to keep getting better. and better.. last night they were absolutely tight, and I felt Kev himself was more relaxed and "free" than ever...
Musically every musician is absolute quality and all on their A+ game last night... 2-1/2 hours of powerful, high energy uplifting inspirational rock'n'roll... and it feels so good to see this level of intensity, power and sheer brilliance up close in a fabulous intimate venue like this... absolutely superb evening... bring on the next one!!
Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues
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