The People's Forum: Re: Springsteen last night

some say he should leave the political stuff out but to me, it's an integral part of who Bruce Springsteen is and he has every right to speak his mind. Of course it won't change any MAGA minds but then nothing will, and if they feel a little hurt or patronised by their cult leader being accurately assessed, well diddums. Facts don't care about your feelings as they are so fond of saying.

Why should we pander to stupid people when their actions have such severe consequences for others?

Even as the openly corrupt, criminally insane orange sack of blubber shafts them with his "big, beautiful bill", rocketing the national debt to pay for tax breaks for the richest whilst taking away from those at the bottom , he manages to increase the level of adoration by throwing them red meat in the form of a racist travel ban. As he continues to fill his pockets from bribes via his meme coin scam.

Just about as rotten as they come, and there will be worse, and crazier to follow.

We might have to accept that this is America in 2025, but we should never have to accept that it is normal.

Previous Message

First visit to the tin mine in over 25 years. My first thought was how much the council has allowed them to get away with in developing the ground. I remember it was mooted that Everton would build out over Goodison Rd, and that was quickly shot down, as was a plan to straighten up Walton Lane and take a small chunk out of Stanley Park to enlarge the footprint of Goodison. They've been allowed to completely close off Anfield Road, in addition to all the earlier compulsory purchase orders to force out residents in surrounding streets.

On to the gig - my 25th time seeing The Boss, and I enjoyed it. The setlist was excellent and I can think of many previous occasions when I'd have been delighted to hear most of those songs. We saw him twice in Dublin a couple of years ago, and were underwhelmed - I thought that might be the last time we went but having travelled all over the place, we couldn't miss his first ever Liverpool gig.

But...I miss the spontaneity of earlier years. It all seemed scripted and formulaic. I get that he's 75 - some of the band are even older and make no mistake they can still play. He used to change the planned list on a whim, calling out a different tune to match the mood of the audience and keep the energy flowing. He'd collect signs from the audience and decide which ones to play. No more. As his voice is fading, there is much more reliance on the backing singers and horn section to support him.

He began the night with a brief monologue about the state of the USA, and it's corrupt President. In front of us were two women from New Jersey who turned out to be Trumpers and booed him whilst everyone else cheered. The same again when later in the show he spoke further about his concerns of the growing authoritarianism, lack of due process and defunding of universities. These women were almost apoplectic while all around people cheered.

When he sang 'House of a Thousand Guitars' with the lines

"The criminal clown has stolen the throne
He steals what he can never own"

I thought one of them would have a heart attack. That said, they somehow overcame their issues to sing and dance along with every song, something I'm not sure I could have done for someone whose views were so opposite to mine.

All in all a good night. I won't be venturing back there in a hurry, and some of the seats in their loft extensions are a very long way from the pitch. BMD is way better!