Bruce Springsteen, known as “The Boss”, is one of the most iconic rock musicians of all time. He rose to fame in the 1970s with his album Born to Run and has had an incredibly successful career ever since. For decades, Springsteen has toured and recorded with his legendary backing band, the E Street Band. So is Bruce currently touring with the E Street Band in 2023?
Quick Answer
Yes, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are currently touring together in 2023. After not touring together for several years, Springsteen reunited with the band in 2022 for a worldwide tour. This tour is continuing in 2023, with upcoming shows scheduled in the United States, Europe, and Australia.
Background on Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Bruce Springsteen formed the E Street Band in 1972 for the recording of his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. The original lineup included Clarence Clemons on saxophone, Danny Federici on organ, Vini Lopez on drums, David Sancious on piano, and Garry Tallent on bass. Over the years, the members changed somewhat, but Clemons, Federici, Lopez, Sancious, and Tallent formed the core of the group.
Springsteen and the E Street Band quickly became known for their legendary live shows. They gained mass popularity with 1975’s Born to Run and became global rock icons with 1984’s Born in the U.S.A. The band provided the backing instrumentation on many of Springsteen’s most acclaimed albums.
Key Members of the E Street Band
- Clarence Clemons – saxophone (passed away in 2011)
- Steven Van Zandt – guitar
- Nils Lofgren – guitar
- Roy Bittan – piano
- Max Weinberg – drums
- Garry Tallent – bass
- Soozie Tyrell – violin
- Jake Clemons – saxophone (nephew of Clarence Clemons)
This core group, though with some changes over time, defined the E Street Band’s signature sound and contributed greatly to Springsteen’s music.
Are They Touring Together in 2023?
Yes, after several years of Springsteen touring solo or with other musicians, he reunited with the E Street Band in 2022 for a major worldwide tour. The tour kicked off in February in the United States, followed by European dates starting in April. The shows featured Bruce Springsteen classics as well as songs from his 2020 album Letter to You, recorded with the E Street Band.
The 2022 leg of the tour wrapped up in Europe in July 2022. Then in early 2023, Springsteen announced additional dates in the United States and Europe running from February to July 2023. These shows will continue the celebration of Springsteen’s over 40-year career with the E Street Band.
2023 Tour Dates
Here are some of the major shows scheduled for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s 2023 tour:
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| February 1 | Tampa, FL | Amalie Arena |
| February 3 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena |
| February 5 | Dallas, TX | American Airlines Center |
| February 25 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Ziggo Dome |
| April 28 | Barcelona, Spain | Estadi Olímpic |
| June 11 | Landgraaf, Netherlands | Pinkpop Festival |
| July 15 | Monza, Italy | Autodromo Nazionale Monza |
Additional dates in the United States, Europe, and Australia are expected to be announced soon.
Why Are They Touring Together Again Now?
There are a few key reasons Springsteen seems to have decided the time was right for an E Street Band tour:
- It has been several years since they last toured – Springsteen toured solo for his autobiographical show Springsteen on Broadway from 2017-2018.
- In 2020, Springsteen released Letter to You, his first studio album recorded with the E Street Band since 2014. Touring would allow performance of these new songs.
- 2022 marked the 40th anniversary of The River Tour in 1981-1982, one of Bruce and the band’s seminal tours. A return to touring could celebrate this milestone.
- Demand from fans has been high for a reunion. 2022 is the first E Street Band tour since The River Tour in 2016.
So after pursuing other projects for a few years, Springsteen seems ready to get back on the road with his legendary band. Both aging rock star and band members are likely aware tours can’t go on forever, making big reunion outings increasingly special.
Conclusion
Bruce Springsteen and his beloved E Street Band are indeed back together and touring in 2023. After several years away, Springsteen has reunited with the band that helped make him a global icon. Their 2023 tour dates allow fans across the United States, Europe, and beyond to once again experience the exhilarating live shows Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have been delivering for over 40 years. Catch them live while you still can!