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Bruce Springsteen plays "This Hard Land" solo acoustic, the final song of a 3:48 show in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday.

(Hans Martin Kern @hmkern99 via Twitter)

It really is amazing what has been going on with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's shows, first in South Africa and now in Australia. They just keep getting better and better.

Bruce and the band played their second straight show in as many nights Sunday at AAMI Park in Melbourne, and this one timed in at three-hours-and-48 minutes, the longest show so far of the tour and one of Springsteen's longest performances ever. The main set timed in at 2:55.

It was another full album show, this time "Born to Run," but look at the diversity of the set list: Tour premieres of "Lucky Town" (yes, keep those 1992 songs coming!), "Roulette," "Growin' Up," (played in the 3-4-5 spots) plus "Lost in the Flood" and "Meeting Across the River."

I liked that "Born in the U.S.A." opened the show. It's the first time that has happened since a July 4, 2008 Magic tour show in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Here's "Backstreets" with a bit of the "Sad Eyes" interlude from the show:

I found some interesting comments abou the show from some attendees on BTX. Some said Bruce looked tired and was lethargic despite playing for so long.

These comments are from "dadrocks":

"A fantastic show - but somewhat bizarre.

Band takes the stage -- everyone is out, but no Bruce. Steven at top of stairs apparently goading him on -- but easily 45 seconds to a minute -- and Bruce says something (couldn't hear exactly) like -- "gonna play a long show tonight -- I had to go!!"

Bruce was lethargic - in a weird sense. I noticed during Lucky Town he looked pretty tired. But then he shredded the Fender - big time. During the Growin' Up story -- he lost track of himself for a second, and said "I shouldn't have had those drinks just before the show!

Bruce Springsteen and his "E Street Orchestra" come to the front of the stage for the encores Sunday in Melbourne.

"The Aussie crowd very laid back -- all the stories about staying on their arses are true -- but tonight Bruce never pulled them out of their seats. He was moving slowly -- never ran - just trotted out on the ramps from side to side, but not much. Never did the "Johnny 99" or "Pay Me My Money" - grab the crowd moment. I'd say more than half in the stands did not stand up for a full single song at any point in the show. But that said, during the stories and ballads (esp. Growing Up, We Are Alive and This Hard Land) the crowd was rapt. It was silent in the stadium other than Bruce.

"Many - I mean many - as a sign said "Brucebumps" moments. It was spectacular - and Bruce totally connected, but in a mellower way than usual. The band, sound and video -- no one is getting complacent about repeating a Wrecking Bal. This has connection to it, but they were there to play now and in this mordent.

Nice video of "Lucky Town" and "Roulette":

Another poster "Young Scott" had these comments:

"Bruce looked very tired and wasn't his energetic self. But he used some insane energy in night 1. I have to give him credit. Lucky Town is back in its original album key. Roulette was fantastic except Bruce started the riff too early. Growing up was seriously weird. He pretty much told about all the late shows he watched as a kid and it was very slow and drawn out. But he KILLED Lost in the flood. Band and Bruce were spot on and he had a vicious extended solo, it was jaw dropping."

A Facebook friend, Paul White, attended the show and messaged me: "Bruce was indeed flat for a good hour or so. It was still a great show. I would give it an '8.' The night before was a '9.5.' Mate, the man is on fire. Even his flat first hour is better than anybody else's best. We are spoiled!"

There were 15 songs played tonight that were not played at Saturday's Melbourne show. There were 47 different songs played over the two nights.

And Bruce has already performed 107 different songs in just 11 shows so far this tour.

Show began at 7:58 p,m. local time (16 hours ahead of New Jersey)

Set list



1. Born in the U.S.A.

2. Badlands

3. Lucky Town (tour premiere)

4. Roulette (tour premiere)

5. Growin' Up (tour premiere with an extended story in the mid section)

6. Wrecking Ball

7. Death to My Hometown

8. High Hopes

9. Just Like Fire Would

10. Lost in the Flood (tour premiere, sign request)

11. Spirit in the Night

Born to Run full album:

12. Thunder Road

13. Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out

14. Night

15. Backstreets (w/ Sad Eyes interlude)

16. Born to Run

17. She's the One

18. Meeting Across the River (tour premiere)

19. Jungleland

20. Heaven's Wall

21. Waitin' On a Sunny Day

22. The Rising

23. The Ghost of Tom Joad

24. Land of Hope and Dreams

Encore:

25. We Are Alive

26. Ramrod

27. Bobby Jean

28. Dancing in the Dark

29. Twist & Shout

30. This Hard Land (solo acoustic)

Over at 11:46 p.m. for a 3:48 show.

Next show: Wednesday at the Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia.

This Tuesday, Feb. 18, I will be posting a blog on the most memorable Springsteen performances at Asbury Park's Stone Pony, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. I hope you check it out at nj.com/springsteen. Thanks!