Hello Ypsilanti!” Bruce greeted the crowd Monday afternoon at Eastern Michigan University’s ballpark, “Glad to be here — I don’t know how to spell it, though.” This was Springsteen’s third Vote for Change rally for the Obama campaign in as many days. “I know our opponents have said they’re abandoning their attempts at Michigan,” Bruce said as he encouraged voter registration, “But I wouldn’t be so sure about that! It’s not a time to take anything for granted.” Illustrating the point at the end of “No Surrender,” he alluded to his efforts and hopes four years ago: “In 2004… I had the tequila lined up on the bar…” before concluding one more time, “No retreat, baby, no surrender.”
An overcast day brightened up while Bruce was onstage, as the sun came shining through during “The Rising” as if on cue. His acoustic set expanded to eight songs this time, featuring the soldier’s-eye-view of “Devils & Dust” and, just down I-94 from Detroit, a very rare “Used Cars.” The mention of “Michigan Avenue” in the latter got a big cheer, Bruce adding that mentioning the name of the state you’re in is “kind of a cheap applause-getter, but it works.” He also got a few laughs of recognition as he recalled opening for Black Oak Arkansas in these parts way back when. Another inspiring speech, “Yes We Can” chants, “This Land is Your Land” to close, and a takeway message: “Let’s take America back!”
Setlist:
The Promised Land
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Thunder Road
Devils & Dust
Used Cars
No Surrender
The Rising
This Land is Your Land
