'Huge': Bruce Springsteen's first-ever Winnipeg performance set for Wednesday
A rock legend is set to hit the stage for his first-ever Winnipeg concert on Wednesday night.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are performing at the Canada Life Centre beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Music historian and author John Einarson said this is a “huge” moment for Winnipeg.
“Musicians, rockstars come and go, but [Springsteen’s] solid,” he said in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Wednesday.
“He’s been around for about 45 years and always at the top of the pantheon for rock and roll.”
Einarson said Springsteen’s concerts focus on the music alone.
He added that his songs are relatable to ordinary people, with an emphasis on lyrics that tell stories.
“Yes, he’s a multi-millionaire now, but he still has that touch with ordinary people who connected with his music in the first place,” he said.
“He was kind of like the working-class hero guy from New Jersey.”
As for what concertgoers can potentially expect from the Winnipeg show, Einarson thinks he may pay homage to The Guess Who.
“Just to recognize the importance of Winnipeg in music history,” he said.
Springsteen was originally supposed to play in Winnipeg in November 2023; however, the concert was postponed a year due to peptic ulcer disease.
Kevin Donnelly, senior vice-president of venues and entertainment with True North Sports and Entertainment, said landing Springsteen in Winnipeg has been a long-standing goal.
“We've had Elton John. We've had Coldplay. We've had Tom Petty. We've had a number of these peak recording artists, but we haven't ever had Bruce Springsteen, and we've been out trying through the last 20 years,” he said.
Donnelly said people should expect a magical evening.
“He curates the set list himself. It changes every single show,” he said. “What you get is a hand-picked selection of songs that he's choosing, that he makes up each night. And it's an incredible band. He's really a tremendous showman.”
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the band scheduled to take the stage at 7:30 p.m.
• With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagace.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police
A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities.
2 Canadians confirmed dead in Poland, as consular officials gather information
Two Canadians have died following an incident in Poland, CTV News has learned.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls Donald Trump 'funny guy' in Fox News interview
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called U.S. president-elect Donald Trump a 'funny guy' on Wednesday in an interview with Fox News for his comment that Canada should become the United States's 51st state.
DEVELOPING As police search for suspect, disturbing video surfaces after U.S. health-care CEO gunned down in New York
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
Toddler fatally shot after his 7-year-old brother finds a gun in the family's truck
A two-year-old boy was fatally shot when his seven-year-old brother found a gun in the glovebox of the family's truck in Southern California, authorities said.
Millions in Cuba remain in dark after nationwide blackout
Cuba said it was generating only enough electricity to cover about 1/6th of peak demand late on Wednesday, hours after its national grid collapsed leaving millions without power.
'Utterly absurd': Freeland rebuffs Poilievre's offer of two hours to present fall economic statement
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has rebuffed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's offer to give up two hours of scheduled opposition time next Monday to present the awaited fall economic statement as 'utterly absurd.'
Canada Post stores continue to operate during strike — but why?
As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open.
Mattel sued over 'Wicked' dolls with porn website link
Mattel was sued this week by a South Carolina mother for mistakenly putting a link to an adult film site on the packaging for its dolls tied to the movie 'Wicked.'