It was the first of two nights before Springsteen and the E Street Band head to Gillette Stadium on Saturday. Springsteen had been to Fenway for a triumphant two-night stand in 2003.
Starting with “Atlantic City,” they hit a stride and rarely let up. A triple attack hit hard: “Because the Night,” “Johnny 99,” and “Darlington County.” “Because the Night,” which Springsteen co-wrote with Patti Smith, gave guitarist Nils Lofgren a starring turn. Literally: he twirled at warp speed while playing a punishing solo.
Three and a half hours later, Springsteen parted with an announcement that was hard to believe: “We’ll be back tomorrow night!”