Live Music Review | Bruce Springsteen at Anfield

An amazing night at Anfield as The Boss entertained The Kop

Bruce Springsteen brought a slice of the American East Coast to Liverpool, performing to a packed Anfield stadium in a characteristically sprawling and energetic show.

Author | Amy W

The home of Liverpool FC has, in recent years, found itself increasingly on the map as a destination for international touring giants. Taylor Swift brought her juggernaut Eras Tour to the stadium in 2024, and now it’s The Boss's turn to take centre stage.

Liverpool is one of only a handful of UK stops on Springsteen’s current tour. Notably, London was left off the schedule this time, despite a string of sold-out shows at Wembley last year, with the singer seemingly turning his focus further north.

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At 75, Springsteen remains an electrifying presence. His set stretched close to the three-hour mark and ranged from timeworn classics to lesser-performed deep cuts, keeping even the most seasoned fans guessing. Opening night at Anfield was no departure from this well-established formula.

Among the surprises was Atlantic City, a beloved track that doesn’t always make the cut in his setlist. The encore saw a raucous rendition of Twist and Shout (originally recorded by The Top Notes but forever tied to The Beatles) and a nod to Liverpool’s own musical heritage.

It wasn’t just the music that carried the message. Springsteen's show pulsed with a quiet optimism, threaded through both the songs and the spirit of connection with the crowd. More than 60,000 fans roared their approval throughout, a testament to the enduring power of one of rock’s great survivors.

It’s not all doom and gloom 

In Wrecking Ball, Springsteen delivers the line “hard times come and hard times go” with such intense emotion that it feels like a mantra for a better future. The final stretch radiates joy, serving as a symbol of love triumphing over hate and the strength of unity prevailing over division. 

The encore was a masterclass in fan service, featuring Born in the U.S.A., Born to Run, Bobby Jean, Dancing in the Dark, and Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, which electrified the audience. Closing with Bob Dylan's Chimes of Freedom, Bruce left the crowd with a final rallying cry: It’s the union of people around a common set of values that stands between democracy and authoritarianism. At the end of the day, all we’ve got is each other.

Reaction from those that were there

Peter G said: “It wasn’t just a rock concert. It was a gathering of souls brought together by five decades of music and a shared sense of something greater. For one night, hope drowned out fear. He didn’t just remind us why he’s the boss. He made it unforgettable.”

Jamie highlighted some of the political elements of the show, he said: "Springsteen has always made a habit of being on the right side of history and this run of concerts has been another example of this."