Interest in Bruce Springsteen—affectionately known as “the Boss”—has seen a powerful revival in recent years. His autobiographical Broadway performance, originally staged for two months in 2017 and later adapted into a well-received Netflix special, made a triumphant return in 2021. And now, the buzz is all about his latest U.S. tour with the legendary E Street Band.
Though fans have voiced frustration over steep ticket costs, largely blamed on Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing algorithms, enthusiasm for Springsteen’s live performances remains sky-high. Despite the financial hurdle, the concerts have been met with glowing reviews. A heartwarming video from 2012, where Springsteen invites a young girl to sing “Waitin’ on a Sunny Day” on stage, illustrates why he continues to capture hearts around the world.
The girl, whose grandparents go by the username Mfernkes, was one of many children Springsteen routinely welcomed on stage for that particular song—a tradition that reflected his belief in resilience and the next generation. “We were lucky he chose our granddaughter, and we were so proud of her,” they shared. And rightly so—it was a moment to remember.
User 42awww commented, “This must be one of the most precious memories of your life! In 20 years, she’ll look back and realize how iconic that moment with Bruce was.” Many others chimed in with praise for Springsteen’s generosity and sincerity. But such genuine connections are being overshadowed by fans’ growing discontent with ticket pricing. In fact, the beloved Springsteen fanzine Backstreets has announced its closure after 43 years, citing the broken ticketing system. They were clear, however, in stating that their frustration lies not with Springsteen himself, but with the near-total control exercised by Ticketmaster.
The core issue dates back to 2010, when Ticketmaster merged with Live Nation—an event promoter and venue operator—effectively consolidating the ticketing industry under one dominant roof. CNBC reports that this conglomerate now holds sway over roughly 70% of the U.S. ticketing and live events market. By managing both venues and ticket sales, the company can inflate prices based on demand, disproportionately impacting fans of artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Springsteen. Add to that the pent-up demand for concerts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and you’ve got a recipe for discontent.
There is, however, a glimmer of hope: the Ticketmaster-Live Nation monopoly is currently being scrutinized in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Fans and artists alike are hoping for a future where attending a concert isn’t financially out of reach.
In the words of Backstreets, “If anything should be said about Bruce Springsteen as we close this chapter, it’s that his remarkable artistry sparked a passionate and lasting fan community for more than four decades. That’s nothing short of extraordinary.”
