‘Brings back memories.’ Generations of Springsteen fans attend sold-out Bryce Jordan Center show

A sold-out Bryce Jordan Center was dancing in the dark — and under multicolored flashing lights — when it welcomed Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on Saturday night.

Springsteen has performed at the BJC three times before, and returned to Happy Valley with his 2023 tour. The band had to recently cancel three shows due to illness, but picked the schedule back up with Thursday’s concert in Philadelphia.

Longtime fans came with family and friends to enjoy the “nostalgia” of the 73-year-old heartland rock singer’s music, which ranged from older songs like 1973’s “The E Street Shuffle” and 1978’s “The Promised Land” to 2020’s “Ghosts.”

“Going to see (Springsteen) brings back memories from when I first started to see him,” Lisa Weinbrenner of Pittsburgh said.

Her husband, Mark Weinbrenner, said Saturday’s performance was the 37th Springsteen concert he’s attended, and he keeps coming back because of the “relatable” music.

Rick Grejda attended the concert with his wife and his daughter Erin McGinnis, which held a special meaning for him after they chose Springsteen’s “When You Need Me” for their father-daughter dance at McGinnis’ wedding this past September.

McGinnis said she started listening to Springsteen when she was 7 years old, riding in the car with her dad.

“I grew up with it. I fell in love with it at a young age, and I’m still listening to it today,” McGinnis said.

Fans wrapped around the stadium bellowing Springsteen’s name as the singer-songwriter took the stage alongside his bandmates and kickstarted his set list with “No Surrender.”

Throughout the night, Springsteen flowed from one hit to the next, connecting his discography with guitar solos and featuring the E Street band members on their various instruments.

Springsteen brought the audience to its feet with the whine of his guitar, and the energy magnified when the band’s tambourines, saxophones, trumpets, drums and keyboards all worked in harmony, like during his cover of the Commodores’ “Nightshift.”

Like a family on stage, Springsteen conducted the different musicians in the E Street Band to highlight each member’s talents, from soulful saxophone to wild drumming.

When he took a break to address the crowd, Springsteen told the story of how he first joined a band and dedicated his acoustic song “Last Man Standing” to one of his late friends as he reminded his audience to “be good to your loved ones.”

John Gearhart of Altoona said going to Springsteen’s concerts with his family “makes it all worthwhile.”

“You just get into the music that night,” Gearhart said. “You feel good. You think back to your early days. All things through life, it’s a journey, and his music reminds you of the good and the bad.”