There are just a few hours left before Bruce Springsteen jumps on stage at the Olympic Stadium to renew his commitment to Barcelona after seven years without performing in the city. Since he landed on Wednesday morning, his presence has disrupted the rhythms of the most dedicated fans, some of whom have lined the parapets in front of the La Florida hotel, at the highest part of Tibidabo, to get an autograph or a photo with his idol, as did the handful of lucky people who crossed paths with The Boss on Wednesday when he left the hotel and then when he returned, already at night.
"Yesterday he said he would come out to greet us", said Laura hopefully, who was standing in front of the hotel this Thursday morning with her daughter, Maria, who at the age of 22 declares herself an unconditional fan of The Boss. "He passed all his studies listening to Bruce", proudly explains his mother during one of the gatherings that are organized to kill the boredom among those who are waiting to meet the artist. Next to him is a group of followers, mostly over 40 years old, which has been growing as the hours pass. Many of them already know what it's like to stand guard in search of photos and autographs, a ritual that some have repeated several times decades apart.
With the enthusiasm of a teenager and the rigor of a bald middle-class accountant, they exchange anecdotes, alert each other when there is movement at the hotel door and try to maintain order, knowing that the Bruce will only go out if he doesn't feel overwhelmed by people. That's why Joan, one of the most early-morning followers, does not hesitate to demand that newcomers turn off the music at full volume on their mobile phones to avoid disturbing the hotel's customers.
The big prize jumps at three o'clock in the afternoon: Springsteen leaves the hotel to sign a few autographs for the half a hundred people who at that time stand guard outside the hotel, a fleeting meeting interrupted when most of the fans rush in about the artist, who immediately returns to the hotel to leave minutes later, get into a taxi and drive away from the site.
His destination was the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, where he did the dress rehearsal for the concert with the E-Street Band with the exception of Patti Scialfa, his wife, who for personal reasons was not present, although yes it will be at the concerts.
The formation tested the sound of the Stadium and remembered some songs they know well, since they have just toured the United States for two months with a set list that, although it includes a few songs from the new album, is mostly dedicated to to review the great achievements of the long career of the New Jersey. The rehearsal lasted around an hour during which they tried songs like Prove it all night, Letter to you or Ghosts, and it was perfectly heard from various areas of Barcelona and from around the Stadium a flood of curious people, who were added to the fans on the list to enter the central court, which yesterday already had 442 registrants.
Bruce Springsteen is very jealous of his image, and that includes not being seen with any politicians. This is confirmed by Neo Sala, promoter responsible for bringing The Boss to Spain for three decades, who remembers how many politicians, mayors, presidents and even a prominent member of the royal family have sought a photo with Springsteen, without any of them it has come out. Only Barack Obama has had this privilege.
This is the third time that Bruce Springsteen has stayed at the La Florida hotel, a luxurious establishment founded in 1924, discreet by location and by vocation, and especially sheltered by large congregations of fans. The New Jersey artist will share the accommodation with his special guests, the Obamas and the Spielbergs, in addition to Tom Hanks, who will attend Friday's concert to accompany his friend on the start of the European tour . The rest of the band is staying at the Mandarín Hotel, on Passeig de Gràcia, while Steve van Zandt would have opted for the W Hotel, where he spent the night on his last visit to the city.
