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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
Entertainment
Michelle Fleming & Roisin Butler

Bruce Springsteen 'The Boss' of RDS as he dazzles Irish fans

Bruce Springsteen was The Boss of the RDS last night as he dazzled fans with a three-and-a-half hour set of his greatest hits.

The veteran singer showed just why he is one of the world’s most loved superstars as he belted out his era-defining tunes with gusto.

The 73-year-old was clearly On Fire as he performed for almost twice as long as other acts. Despite taking to the stage at just 7pm last night, Bruce still had his adoring fans Dancing In The Dark as the concert went on past 10pm.

Read more: Bruce Springsteen fans queue at RDS ahead of sold out concert

And he displayed all of his legendary zest as he belted out hits such as Glory Days, Born In The USA and Backstreets.

The rock legend last performed on Irish soil in 2016 to the crowds at Croke Park.

Some die-hard fans had queued since Wednesday in anticipation of his return and formed long queues outside the RDS for the first of his three Dublin concerts.

Fans travelled from as far as the UK and Switzerland to attend last night’s gig.

Orla, who came up from Cavan, said her pals had been queueing since Wednesday.

Her and her husband are Springsteen fanatics, with his music forming a crucial part of their wedding playlist.

She added: “He was our first dance at our wedding. It’s too hard to name a favourite song but Philadelphia is up there on the list.”

Every pub in Ballsbridge pub was rammed from early afternoon with fans from all corners of the globe, hyped for the gig.

It was Dubliner Declan Hawthorne’s sixth Springsteen gig.

Declan, 57, added: “This man gives the greatest show on earth – he’s as good now as he was back when I saw him in Slane in 1986.

His wife Christine, 56 added: “He plays for hours ... so full of passion and energy.”

Margaret and Tom O’Connor arrived from Killarney.

Childcare worker Margaret, 58, said: “I’m here dreaming I’m 19 again. I’ve been waiting to see Bruce since he played Slane – was it in 1986?” Many famous faces were also spotted among the crowd, as Springsteen brought Irish celebs out to party.

Amongst the hordes of fans taking in the show were DJ Dave Fanning, author Roddy Doyle, rugby star Keith Wood and Shane MacGowan’s wife Victoria.

The Boss will be back at the RDS tomorrow for the second his three sold out shows, before a rousing finale on Tuesday.

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