Springsteen release of ’81 Meadowlands show will benefit NJ Pandemic Relief Fund

Bruce Springsteen’s new archival release is a 1981 Brendan Byrne Arena show.

From July 2 to July 9, 1981, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band presented six shows at the newly built Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford; they were the first events there, of any kind. A recording of the last of those Meadowlands concerts, July 9, is being released in Springsteen’s monthly archival series.

Net proceeds will be donated to the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund.

For information, visit live.brucespringsteen.net. Downloads are currently available and CDs can be ordered.

Gary U.S. Bonds, who released his comeback album Dedication (co-produced by Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt) that spring, is featured on two songs, “Jole Blon” and “This Little Girl.”

Here is the show’s setlist:

FIRST SET
“Thunder Road”
“Prove It All Night”
“The Ties That Bind”
“Darkness on the Edge of Town”
“Follow That Dream”
“Independence Day”
“Who’ll Stop the Rain”
“Two Hearts”
“The Promised Land”
“This Land Is Your Land”
“The River”
“Trapped”
“Out in the Street”
“Badlands”

SECOND SET
“You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)”
“Cadillac Ranch”
“Sherry Darling”
“Hungry Heart
“Jole Blon” (with Gary U.S. Bonds)
“This Little Girl (with Gary U.S. Bonds)
“Johnny Bye-Bye”
“Racing in the Street”
“Ramrod”
“Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”

ENCORE
“Jersey Girl”
“Jungleland”
“Born to Run”
“Detroit Medley”