Christmas at last!

It's taken me awhile to get in the mood but now, thanks to the E Street Band, I'm into the Christmas spirit. I popped over to chilly Belfast last Saturday. Brrrrrr, 'twas a cold day, but it was fairly bright and thankfully it wasn't raining like last year. Warmed up by a hot Hog Roast roll from the Christmas market I went along to the show at the Odyssey Arena. A great venue and a tremendous concert. Gerry Adams, in a prime seat, seemed to enjoy it. Nils Lofgren nearly took off from the stage during his scorching guitar solo during 'Because The Night' and it was nice to see and hear 'Santa Claus' as a send off into the Northern Irish night. My thanks to James McC for the after show tour of Belfast pubs! I'll have to go back sometime when it's warmer! Telegraph, Belfast Telegraph and Irish Independent reviews.

Last night the tour made its last stop in 2007, at the ginormous O2 Arena, London. Another great show. Only around 400 fans were let into the 'pit' area in front of the stage - the organisers could have easily have catered for another 200 and still have had plenty of room. With so much space around me I felt a bit self conscious doing my gangly pogo 'dancing'. I spotted Badly Drawn Boy in a VIP seat to my left, he sat down throughout the whole show, but he was nodding his woolly head. Apparently Stephen Merchant was there (of course), and allegedly Rob Brydon, Bette Middler, an unknown number of Manic Street Preachers and Jim Rosenthal(!) were in the crowd too. I'm already looking forward to the band returning in May of next year. Guardian, Times and This is London reviews.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
December 19th 2007, London O2 Arena
A great set of photos from the O2 by 'Seeger Tour' here. Update: and here's a nice compilation of clips shot from behind the stage, courtesy of 'ramrodwillem'.