Are you getting ready for Bruce Springsteen?
It might feel like Monday morning right now, but Friday night is fast approaching. And this isn't any ordinary Friday night, either.
This is the first time Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have performed in Baltimore City in more than 36 years.
I wrote a piece for yesterday's paper about what makes Bruce The Boss. Read it here.
Even among A-list musicians such as Billy Joel, Elton John and Paul McCartney, few performers have a magnetism and mystique quite like Springsteen.
That's pretty much the gist of the piece.
Also, this week, we're going to be compiling all kinds of online Springsteen stuff ...
I'm talking about photo galleries, as well as concert reviews and interviews the Baltimore Sun did with The Boss back in the day. I'll let everybody know when it's finished.
This morning I glanced at StubHub to see how expensive Springsteen tickets for the 1st Mariner show are. Turns out, they're going for anywhere from $150 to $2,000. Yikes.
Here's something folks who have general admission tickets should know: There are no floor seats. The floor is standing general admission (it's what they used to call a "dance show," my dad tells me). They're going to be letting people into certain sections based on a lottery. I'll post more details about that later today.
(Photo by Rafa Rivas/AFP/Getty Images)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
Looking forward to the show, will be my girlfriends first. Picked up two GA tickets via Stubhub last week, so yeah they were pricey! Couldn't pass up the opportuntiy to see him and the band in my hometown. Mulling ideas for my request sign.
Posted by: sturmy | November 16, 2009 9:10 AM
No matter how many times I get to see him...each one feels like the first! Scored 8 tickets so I could introduce Baltimore friends to the greatest rock and roll band of all time! I always say there is no show like the one Bruce puts on! Even having a pre-party with all of his favorite foods from our hometown of Freehold!
Posted by: jjketch | November 16, 2009 9:40 AM
Saw "The Boss" last night in Milwaukee and 2 months ago in Chicago. Get ready, Baltimore, the show is nothing less than FANTASTIC!!!
Posted by: Kim | November 16, 2009 10:14 AM
We better not get a "Helloooo Cleveland"
Posted by: Boss fan | November 16, 2009 11:35 AM
Dance "concert". you yoots came up with calling a concert a show! :P
Should be a great concert! Hope all of you have a great time there!
Posted by: Pops | November 16, 2009 12:15 PM
you know it! There is a fervent and impassioned energy in the air! I am ecstatic!
Posted by: Ideen | November 16, 2009 1:45 PM
Flying in from Corpus Christi Tx. Is ticket scalping allowed ? Do you think tickets will be available on site for 150.00-200.00?
Posted by: john allen | November 16, 2009 5:53 PM
Looking SO forward to this show. Great excuse to visit a great city - I'm coming from Houston
Posted by: Jane | November 16, 2009 7:13 PM
Sam,
I heard rumors that there is a ticket lottery-type thing going on for the Springsteen concert, where you get a special area depending on your general admission ticket.
Do you know if that is true?
Posted by: Herbert | November 17, 2009 8:57 AM
My husband and I saw Bruce in Glasgow on 14 July - this was the 2nd time of seeing him in concert - it was a fantastic night -= 3 hours of pure energy from him and the band.
Posted by: moira mccormack | November 17, 2009 1:32 PM
Ill answer the GA lottery question.
The floor has a "pit" area- the first aprox 20 yards- with a low metal fence partitioning it from the rest of the floor.
If you want a chance at the pit, you need to arrive between 1-4pm. You show your ticket, and will get a numbered wristband. They will probably distribute about 2k of these bands. I dont think the quantity is limited, but that is about how many will show early.
At 4, they will cue up everyone in order of the wristband number, then pick a random number(say #500 for example). They will then lead in #500 and a certian number of people behind him (probably 4-500 people) to the pit. The person #1001 will be first in line to get into the rest of the floor.
Once in the pit, you can come and go as you like.
Posted by: must be in the front row | November 17, 2009 1:45 PM
Anybody know what time the show will actually start? The Verizon show started a little after 8pm. Since I'm not on the floor, no sense getting there early...
Posted by: Zevonista | November 17, 2009 2:32 PM
Shows usually start between 8:15 and 8:30---I always try to be in by 8 to make sure.
Coming from Pa -- should be a great show
Posted by: Kevin Corrigan | November 17, 2009 3:23 PM
It's amazing for Baltimore to get a big name act on a Friday too. We usually get the crap nights.
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy | November 17, 2009 9:01 PM
if anyone has a last minute ticket, i'd be glad to purchase it
Posted by: Danuta | November 18, 2009 1:25 AM
Almost had a pre-concert crisis (my tickets never showed up) but appear to have straightened that out with TM. Now it's just pre-concert nerves :) I must say, the more I hear about the GA tickets the happier I am to have a seat upstairs.
Posted by: Gonzai | November 18, 2009 2:16 PM
Ready to rock at the church of Springsteen!!! Ain't nothin like it!!!!
Posted by: Brak | November 18, 2009 4:24 PM
Two questions, if anyone knows (or Sam can find out):
1 - the light rail normally stops at 11pm. If Bruce plays past 11 (I'm sure he will) will the rail run a train or two for those of us at the show?
2 - Any idea what the camera policy will be? I'd like to bring my 35mm with me, as I'm front row upstairs.
Posted by: Gonzai | November 19, 2009 9:35 AM
Gonzai
According to 1st Mariner, no cameras will be allowed.
Also -- According to MTA spokeswoman Jawauna Greene, they're going to run four car trains (instead of two-car trains) on the light rail tomorrow night. Supervisors will be on hand to decide how late to extend light rail service.
"If there are still people there, we will continue to run trains for up to an hour after the show," she said.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | November 19, 2009 2:57 PM
Oh well on the cameras, awesome on the light rail. We're coming from Mt Washington so we were hoping to use the rail. Thanks!
Posted by: Gonzai | November 19, 2009 4:41 PM
Just saw the Springsteen show here in Nashville Wednesday night. Was a great show, but not sold out. Tkits at box office last minute easy to buy. Those standing GA tickets were $100 in center of arena but same price off to side plus you get elevation over peoples heads. Everybody stands during the whole concert anyway, except one or two songs deep in the show. the best seats for this show are stage left/right halfway up or higher, which equals cheaper, or the seats that are actually a bit behind the stage/ off left or right. If you are in the back of the arena from the stage, you are a long way away...pay the extra $25.00 The closest crowd on floor in front of stage is by special pass only. Not all GA tickets holders can push their way to front of stage like lots of Rock Concerts. There are barriers to seperate these two groups..bruce does get out into the floor crowd, a couple of times, and brings people on stage twice. Lots of Request Signs, and he brings some on stage and decides which ones they will play. In his tour this year the band has played over 183 different songs. really amazing...His voice is as strong as ever and doesn't get hourse what so ever. Enjoy...
Posted by: michel huffine | November 19, 2009 7:21 PM