For the eighth and final gig of U2's Madison Square Garden residency, it was only expected that Bono and company would continue recent tradition by introducing a surprise guest. Previously having brought out Lady Gaga as well as Jimmy Fallon and the Roots, rumors sparked that Bruce Springsteen would be the next guest to step foot on the New York City stage.
The first Springsteen indicator came as "Beautiful Day" wrapped up and Bono began singing lines of "Hungry Heart," further leading fans to believe that the singer-songwriter would join U2 on stage to close their residency. It remained unknown, however, until the end of "Where The Streets Have No Name," when a second mic made its way to the stage. Bono then launched into a heartfelt speech, detailing Springsteen's overwhelming influence on the group.
The crowd roared as Springsteen made his way to the stage, acoustic guitar in hand. "Earlier, when I busted myself up here in the city, we had a gig in Times Square for Red and this man showed up and delivered," Bono said, notes Rolling Stone. "The chairman, the Boss. Mr. Bruce Springsteen." Letting the audience belt the beginning verses of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," Bono and Springsteen began to split lines on the track as they did during the 2005 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction and the HOF's 25th Anniversary concert in 2009. Trailing the front man's bicycle injuries last year, Springsteen tapped in for Bono and performed the track with the rest of U2 in Times Square, NME notes.
The duo took on a rendition of "Stand by Me," which eventually led to Springsteen's departure from the stage. "The kid's a star!" Bono exclaimed as Springsteen parted ways. "The kid's a star! He can keep the guitar." Aside from the New Jersey rocker, fans at MSG found themselves in the presence of Bill and Hillary Clinton who sat in the front row of the upper deck. Although Bill remained mostly motionless, Hillary showed interest through head bangs during a few songs. The couple jumped to their feet once Springsteen made an entrance.
Previous shows saw the live revival of "October" while Friday's show boasted a performance of 1982's "Trash, Trampoline and the Party Girl," for the first time in six years. The show concluded with "40" which was dedicated to the band's recently deceased tour manger. The Innocence and Experience Tour may have come to an end, but the band has 34 European show dates to run through in the fall, starting in Torino, Italy on September 4.
