Frankfurt 18.6 2025 #SpringsteenTour2025

After sitting out both Berlin and Prague, I have been nursing a proper case of FOMO. Oliver having been at both, was sending updates and photos while I followed along from a distance, equally happy for him and equally envious. I knew I couldn’t be everywhere, but it still stung a little to watch the tour roll on without me.

On top of that, I caught a cold in Liverpool and have had to really push through the last busy weeks of the school year.

Frankfurt was next. Despite having passed through the airport more times than I can count, I had never actually been in the city. This time, since I was going to be on the road for twenty days, I had to be smart when packing my backpack. I really wanted to avoid checking in a bag. Luckily, it’s summer, which means lighter clothes and less bulk. I figured I could make it work with some strategic outfit planning and a chance to wash a few things during my stop at Oliver’s place in Cologne between the San Sebastián shows and Gelsenkirchen, before heading for Milan.

Even before I set foot in Frankfurt, the show made its first appearance, through the airplane window. As we began our descent, I caught a glimpse of the arena from above and managed to snap a quick photo.

Frankfurt Airport is Germany’s largest and one of the busiest in Europe, a major hub for both passenger traffic and cargo, with planes constantly coming and going. During the show, they kept drifting silently across the sky above the stage, quietly arriving, one after another. From where we stood, dead centre, a bit back, the stage and sky formed a kind of frame that intrigued me. It was almost like a film loop and I felt I just had to get it on camera, but I was always too late. Luckily Oliver managed to catch a few.

From our hotel, the Best Western Hotel Airport Frankfurt, it was just one stop on the S-Bahn to the venue. After that, a short ten-minute walk through the summer heat brought us to the stadium. We looked for the “Front of Stage” entrance and spotted two familiar faces we hadn’t seen since last year. We caught up while waiting for the gates to open, trading a few stories and updates, trying to stay in the shade as the heat settled in around us.

Once we had our wristbands, the entrance to the field led us in from behind the stage, a slightly odd angle, but Oliver managed to get a great photo of it. By then, Werner had caught up with us, and we headed in together.

The first thing I noticed was the drinks stand. I was dying for a beer. While Oliver wandered off to get a lay of the land, I got in line. A few minutes later he came back, promptly letting me know that the beer line on the other side of the pit was practically empty. That first beer tasted absolutely heavenly. After the travel, the heat, and the wait outside, it hit the spot. I figured we had time for one more, plus a quick bathroom visit before the show started.

I had that second beer, made it to the bathroom, got back in time. But not long after I returned to our spot, a headache started to build and it wasn’t the kind you can ignore. Right as the lights went down and Bruce launched into No Surrender, I realised this was going to be a problem. Every movement made my head throb. I tried to push through it, but I knew straight away I wouldn’t be able to throw myself into the show the way I usually do.

It was frustrating. My Love Will Not Let You Down came early, a song I always dance to and I just couldn’t. Later, during Wrecking Ball, which normally has me jumping like a maniac, I had to hold back. I was there, in the middle of it all, but not quite in it the way I wanted to be.

Still, some songs managed to cut through. Atlantic City is a favourite and then, Trapped, intense and completely absorbing. That one always gets me, and this time was no different. “Good will conquer evil and the truth will set you free.” It’s a line I love for some reason.

Good will conquer evil and the truth will set you free.

Despite the headache, I was still glad to be there. I always love the German shows. There are so many familiar faces in the crowd. It almost feels like its own little community, scattered from show to show but always showing up.

One thing that really bothers me is how Bruce keeps handing out picks and harmonicas to just about every “cute” child up front. It’s become part of the routine. Even worse are the signs people bring: “I’ll trade you my stuffed toy for a harmonica,” “30 concerts — can I have a hug?” It feels too calculated, and honestly a bit gross. I find it hard to watch. I much prefer the song requests, even if they can be a nuisance too.

Our tour continues today. We’re flying to Bilbao for the San Sebastián show tomorrow. Another airport, another stage, another crowd. As the planes passed silently over the Frankfurt show, it made me think of Land of Hope and Dreams. This tour carries: the saints, the sinners, the familiar faces, the tired teachers with headaches and the ones who can’t help but come back for more.

Next time, I’ll try not to celebrate with quite so many beers before the show. Lesson (hopefully) learned. 🤕