Bruce Springsteen: The Boss has Belfast dancing in the dark as he returns to city with a bang

The Boss’ return to the city — his first gig here in 11 years — is part of his 2024 world tour.

Dates include Thursday night’s Belfast Boucher Road Playing Fields gig and upcoming shows in Kilkenny, Cork and Dublin, before performances in destinations such as France, Spain and Holland.

After the unexpected Belfast announcement in October — just months after his European tour the previous summer — excitement had been building among his loyal fans in Northern Ireland.

For the 40,000 that forked out £120 a ticket to see their hero, they will feel it was money well spent as The Boss promised to rock Belfast “into the ground”.

While Springsteen and the all-important E Street Band banished any rumours of retirement, based on their typically energetic and non-stop performance, realistically there may not be many more opportunities to see them perform in Belfast in future.

They still have another 39 shows across Europe and the US to see out this year and will be deserving of a well-earned break after two years of performing at the highest of levels.

Making sure Springsteen was left in no doubt of their adoration, fans roared as he took to stage — albeit 30 minutes late — and shouted: “Belfast!”

Fans held aloft posters, with one reading: “I’ve waited since God was a boy for your harmonica!”

Others begged for birthday wishes, while another cheekily said: “Bruce, can I dance in the dark with you?”

Following on from their opening European leg of their world tour in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Sunday, The Boss and The E Street Band set the tone for the Belfast show by launching straight into No Surrender, Lonesome Day, Prove It All Night and Letter To You.

Performing The Promised Land, Springsteen was at his best as he directed The E Street Band, played harmonica and interacted with those fortunate enough to reach the front row.

One lucky fan even got a hug and a kiss on the cheek from The Boss as he signed her shirt.

But the luckiest of all was the young teenage girl who was handed his harmonica, much to her delight.

Watch: Heartfelt moment as Bruce Springsteen hugs young fan at Belfast concert

When he finally addressed the raucous Belfast crowd, Springsteen said: “Now if you’re out there tonight there’s just one thing I want to know.

“Can you feel it? Can you feel it, feel it now? Can you feel the spirit? If you can feel the spirit I want you to answer me a mighty yeah yeah!”

One female fan made sure she didn’t pass up the opportunity of meeting Springsteen as she held on and wouldn’t let go of the star.

The Boss even had the crowd singing Hungry Heart as he again stepped off the stage and hugged and high fived his adoring fans.

One lady had a night she wouldn’t forget as she even got to dance with the rock star.

Seeing out the gig, Springsteen and The E Street Band made it an encore to remember as fans sang along to Born to Run.

Here’s hoping The Boss does make a Belfast return in the years to come because it could be quite some time before the city sees another performance quite like this. Next stop Kilkenny.