Springsteen in Atlanta, 12/2/02

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The encores started with the tour premier of "Where the Bands Are," a little known song from the Tracks box set but still a crowd raiser.

House lights on. Possible thought at the time: "Bruce Sprinsteen's playing 'Born to Run' right in front me!"

House lights still on. Possible thought at the time: "Bruce Springsteen's still playing 'Born to Run' right in front of me!"

House lights not going anywhere. Possible thought at the time: "Bruce Springsteen's a little further away, but he's still playing 'Born to Run'!"

House lights off. For me, the coolest moment of the show came next when an opening thud hit out of the darkness ...

... and the stage lights flashed on for "Born in the U.S.A." The picture here doesn't do the moment justice. You had to feel the bass in the stage.

Springsteen then returned to the riser for "Land of Hope and Dreams."

The band formed their line and took a bow, but it was clear they weren't headed anywhere. With Christmas around the corner, most of the crowd (including myself) appeared to be packing Santa Claus hats, hoping Springsteen would have Santa "Coming to Town."

I dangled that hat but good. Possible thought at the time: "Hey, Bruce, you want another Santa Claus hat?"

Apparently not ready to give the song its annual holiday debut, Springsteen kicked one Santa hat offstage. That was enough for me to hold onto mine. It has since resided in a box, possibly awaiting the next next Christmas-time, front-row Springsteen concert experience. (Pittsburgh got the song at the very next show.)

As a guitar-driven "Dancing in the Dark" rework closed the show, two-and-a-half hours in, the pit crowd was still going strong.

Little Steven joined Springsteen at center stage for the final blitzes through the Top 40 chorus.

A good time was had by all.

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