Marseille 31.5 2025 #SpringsteenTour2025

After Manchester and Lille, it was finally time for Marseille. This was a show many of us had been waiting for, not just because it was next on the tour, but because it was one of the four that got postponed last year due to Bruce’s illness. We were actually just about to enter the arena when the cancellation was announced.

First a quick recap: The Manchester show had set the tone. We had seats, but that didn’t take away from the energy. What stood out was the shift in message, how clearly political the first half of the show was. Bruce didn’t hold back in his criticism of the state of things back home, calling out the Trump administration as corrupt and treasonous. The speeches were followed by songs that deepened the message: Land of Hope and Dreams, Death to My Hometown, Long Walk Home, My City of Ruins, Rainmaker, Murder Incorporated. And Chimes of Freedom to close. It felt like more than just a concert.

Then came Lille. Those of you who read that post know it wasn’t quite what we’d hoped for. Bruce seemed off, tired, hoarse, and a little unsteady. It was hard not to feel a bit worried. Is he really ready and fit enough for this tour?

Thankfully, the second Lille show just a few days later seemed to put those concerns to rest. Reports from the pit and the seats said he was back to form. That gave us a bit more peace of mind heading into Marseille.

With Thursday being a holiday (Ascension Day) and Friday a “klämdag” (a squeeze day), that lovely Swedish concept of getting the day off when it is squeezed between a public holiday and the weekend (the Germans call it “Brückentag”), I had the luxury of starting the day without stress. A relaxed morning gym session, then off to the airport. Even better: Oliver and I were booked on the same flight from Frankfurt to Marseille, which doesn’t happen often but when it happens- Yay!

Around lunchtime we made our way toward the Orange Vélodrome and returned to a little bar opposite the iconic steps leading up to the arena. That place now comes with a bit of history for us. Last year, just before the cancelled show, we sat there and talked with a father, his brother, and the son, three Springsteen fans who had driven all the way from northern France. It was the son’s first concert ever, or was supposed to be, until everything got called off just twenty minutes before the gates were meant to open. This time, things looked more promising. Werner came to join us there after flying in from Cologne, and we settled in with a couple of beers, enjoying the pre-show atmosphere. When we got hungry, we went full-on French: BAGUETTE with FRENCH fries and another round of beer, in classic plastic mugs. 🇫🇷🥖🍟

Oliver had already decided not to attend the concert this time. In fact, he sold his ticket the day after coming home from Lille, so after our little pre-show session, we said goodbye outside the arena. Werner and I climbed the steps and went in together. We found our way to the back of the pit, where we eventually met up with other Germans (and an Austrian); Carina, Patric, Oliver and Verena. A great group to spend the evening with, but I’ll admit, it wasn’t quite the same without MY German. 😖

The Orange Vélodrome is an impressive venue. It’s modern and massive. With a capacity of over 67,000, it’s the second largest football stadium in France. Last night’s concert reportedly drew over 61,000 people, and it felt like it. The pit was packed, and I heard from some folks up front that it got uncomfortably crowded and warm. But toward the back, where I was, it was full but breathable and enough space to jump around and dance without bumping into anyone.

One fun thing we noticed: there were two cameras side by side on one side of the pit, and we jokingly speculated that the younger guy operating one of them might’ve been a trainee. It made us wonder if they were filming something special. Another fun observation : there were ”self-service” drink machines in the pit, alongside the usual bar setup. The stadium has a distinctive curved roof that covers all seating areas.

Bruce opened the show with the now-familiar speech introducing the Land of Hope and Dreams Tour, and then went straight into the title track. From there, the energy picked up fast with No Surrender, always such a fun and high-spirited number. One welcome surprise was the addition of My Love Will Not Let You Down, another burst of pure joy that had me jumping around with a big smile. It definitely made the first part of the concert feel lighter and less intense than the previous shows we’ve seen on this leg.

That’s not to say the political edge was gone, Death to My Hometown, Rainmaker, My City of Ruins, and the rest of the usual suspects were still there, delivering their message. The crowd clearly got it too, responding with perfectly timed boos during the speeches and enthusiastic cheers when prompted. The people in the seats stayed on their feet for much of the show, which is always a good sign.

One moment that didn’t quite work, at least for me, was the transition from Murder Incorporated into Long Walk Home. It just didn’t flow; the shift felt abrupt and a bit clunky. Another notable moment, though maybe not for strictly musical reasons, was the beginning of The River, where it looked like Stevie might have started things off on the wrong foot. Could have been a genuine slip, or maybe just a well-rehearsed “mistake” for effect. Hard to tell.

Bruce himself seemed to be in a great mood. At one point, walking along the rail, he handed the obligatory harmonica to a kid, but also bent down and kissed (!) an overly delighted woman, which clearly made her evening.

The end of the show turned into the usual full-blown celebration. Because the Night, Born in the U.S.A., Born to Run and the rest of the final stretch had everyone on their feet and singing along. The first verse of Hungry Heart got a loud and unified sing-along, and it’s also becoming more and more obvious that people are warming up to the newer songs too; Rainmaker and House of a Thousand Guitars now get more recognition and even some singing from the crowd. During Thunder Road, Bruce handed the mic to some girls in the audience for a few lines. They gave it their all but let’s just say it won’t probably be their big break. 🙉

Just before the encores, as Bruce and the band were saying their goodbyes, a wave of yellow signs popped up in the front rows reading: “You promised the biggest show.” Toward the very end, more signs appeared, this time in pink and yellow, urging: “Bruce don’t stop tonight!” I wasn’t entirely sure what they meant (play all night? go past midnight?), but whatever the message, they seemed to do the trick.

To our delight, Bruce added Twist and Shout, a fun and unexpected surprise for the night, even though, according to BruceBase, it’s far from rare. In fact, Bruce has been playing that song since 1965, and last night marked the 471st time. Still, it hit the spot, turning the Vélodrome into one big party. After that, he closed the show with Chimes of Freedom.

So that was Marseille, a strong show, a good crowd, and a few unexpected touches that made the night stand out. Next up for us is Liverpool on Saturday, where I’ll be meeting up with Oliver, as always. There’s some buzz going around about possible VIP guests like Sir Paul or Ringo, but honestly… who knows, and who really cares? 😄

📸 Thanks to Carina for the cover photo