No Bells and Whistles Needed for Bruce Springsteen at Gillette Stadium

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Who needs a massive stage production, pyro, and ballyhoo when you have the Boss set to perform?

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will end concert season at Gillette Stadium and the River Tour Wednesday night. Crews have been working hard since Saturday night as part of the buildup to the show, starting with overnight work following Saturday's New England Revolution match against New York City FC.

Jackie Candelino, Gillette Stadium's labor and production supervisor, said 100 local steelworkers and 20-30 crew members were at the scene for the first three days, with those numbers increasing to 150 local workers and over 80 crew members for Tuesday's production day.

Unlike some of the other stadium shows, which include elaborate sets, fireworks, and a large multimedia production, Springsteen's show will have a strict focus on the music.

"There's a simplicity about (Springsteen) that makes him awesome. You don't need the bells and whistle. There are few people who can play without the bells and whistles and play for three to four hours," Candelino said.

Beyond the simplicity is an unpredictability about the Boss. Candelino said they'll get a set list before the show but it's common for him to freestyle, go off the set, or add a few songs. Last month, he played his longest show ever, pushing four hours during a performance at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

"With his body of work, everyone that comes to his show knows all the songs. You'll have everyone singing the words to every song. It's not a marathon but it makes for a great evening," Candelino said.

Another hours-long show is expected Wednesday night, with the selectmen allowing for the town's concert curfew to be moved from 11:15 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for the show. No opener or intermissions are planned and once the band starts, they don't stop until the show is over.

When the band leaves the stage, the crew will aim to start loading the trucks by midnight and have everything out of the stadium by Thursday. After that, it's back to football with a Patriots game Sunday afternoon.

The parking lots for Wednesday's show open at 3:30 p.m., with stadium gates opening at 6 p.m. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band take the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Image Credit: Dan Libon