Bruce Springsteen started his show in Kilkenny with a touching tribute to his late friend Shane McGowan, surprising concertgoers.
The Boss will headline Nowlan Park with the E Street Band on Sunday (13 May 24), paying tribute to the Irish music legend with a rousing rendition of the Pogues classic 'A Rainy Night in Soho'. Started the set.
The “New York Fairy Tales” group responded to X by saying, “Great tribute to our boss. Thank you Bruce.”
McGowan died of pneumonia in November last year at the age of 65 after battling poor health for several months.
Springsteen, 74, was visiting the singer in hospital during the Ireland leg of his world tour.
The 'Born to Run' hitmaker paid tribute following the sad news of his death, writing: “Shane was one of my favorite authors.
“The passion and deep intensity of his music and lyrics are matched by nothing but the best in the rock and roll canon.
“Last time I was in Dublin, I was lucky enough to spend some time with Shane and his lovely wife Victoria. Although he has been seriously ill, he is still beautifully present in his heart and spirit. I did.
“His music is timeless and eternal. I don't know about the rest of us, but they'll still be singing Shane's songs in 100 years.”
The audience was in for a double treat, as Springsteen arrived on stage two hours early to perform “This Hard Land.”
“Hey, you're up early,” he called out to the audience.
The sold-out concert attracted a whopping 28,000 attendees.
Meanwhile, the tour also featured Springsteen signing a note to a young fan telling him to “skip school.”
While performing at San Francisco's Chase Center, he saw a sign that read, “Will you sign my note if you skip school?”
And the rock legend obliged by allowing the young man to miss school the next day.