Boss Joins Zach Bryan for Two Songs in Philly

Bruce Springsteen is back in the U.S.A.

The Boss made a surprise appearance with Zach Bryan for two songs, “Atlantic City” and “Sandpaper,” at Bryan’s concert on Wednesday, August 7, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

This marks Springsteen’s first performance on a U.S. stage following his recent European summer tour. He joined Bryan without prior announcement for a countrified rendition of “Atlantic City” from his 1981 lo-fi classic album “Nebraska.”

“He looked and sounded great,” said Brandon Thompson, editor of the Springsteen news site, Blog It All Night, who attended the show. “He looks incredible. My friends were with me and couldn’t believe he was about to turn 75.”

Springsteen, a native of Freehold, New Jersey, will celebrate his 75th birthday on September 23.

“He actually walked right by me behind the pit on the way to the stage and I shook his hand,” Thompson said.

“Sandpaper,” a smoldering country tune that captures themes of desire and the passage of time reminiscent of Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire,” is featured on Bryan’s latest album, “The Great American Bar Scene.” Springsteen previously joined Bryan on stage on March 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to perform the song with Bryan’s band.

The track marked Springsteen’s debut on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, where it opened at No. 26 in July.

The Lumineers and Shane Gillis also made appearances on stage with Bryan during his Wednesday show.

Springsteen and the E Street Band will kick off their U.S. and Canadian tour on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Most of the concerts for the rest of the year are rescheduled dates from 2023, but one notable new show is their headlining performance on Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Sea Hear Now festival on the beach in Asbury Park.

Source: USA Today