Monday September 27th, 2010 1:20 p.m.
CRUCIAL BLOG ENTRY # 72
THE BIGGEST RUMOUR AT TIFF 2010-- BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN would Perform at The Horseshoe with JESSE MALIN September 15, 2010
Ten days before the potential legendary gig at one of Toronto's most legendary musical venues, The HORSESHOE TAVERN on Queen Street West, word was leaking out that BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, who was in Toronto for the TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) Premiere of "The PROMISE: The Making of DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN" would take the stage with JESSE MALIN at the 'Shoe on Wednesday September 15th: a totally plausible possibility considering that JESSE MALIN & BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN have collaborated and performed together previously and both were in Toronto on the same night. Was this a set up for a possible Springsteen jam at a relatively small bar or merely a coincidence of speculation ejaculation of epic proportions?
If this was a supposed "secret" gig, word was leaking out in many musical directions that the stars were lining-up for what could be one of Toronto most legendary gigs EVER. TIFF Officials were whispering and denying, Restaurant Manager's were regurgitating, Craigslist Ticket ads were listed for $300+ each for a "Bruce Springsteen Secret gig" and local promoter's and musicians were singing and the Buzz leading up to the JESSE MALIN September 15th performance was so great that multiple news trucks were parked outside the Horseshoe on the 15th reporting LIVE on the rumour and adding to the mill and to the intrigue.
Tickets for the show were only $15 at Ticketmaster and still for sale up until the day before. I bought mine and more than a dozen friends followed suit taking a $15 chance on a whisper and a prayer. The BOSS? The Horseshoe? $15? Are you serious???
On the morning of September 15th, the show had SOLD-OUT, the Buzz had reached manic proportions and tickets were selling on Craigslist for between $75 to $300 each.
JESSE MALIN and his band The St. MARKS SOCIAL took to the stage at 11 p.m. and added even more mystery by playing into the rumours and speculation by stroking the crowd with talk of how this gig had now elevated itself into the annals of Toronto Rock and Roll history, never confirming or dispelling the rumour. Jesse's performance was a high energy, crowd pleasing spectacle of hard hitting rock tunes, he came out into the crowd and asked everyone to sit-down in solidarity and brought the mostly Bruce crowd together. It was a great show, but Bruce was most likely in bed in New Jersey by the time Jesse Malin took the stage.
Even at the end of the performance, hopeful fans stood by staring at the mike stands and guitars whispering "if it's gonna happen, it will be now..." and for over 30 minutes they just stood and stared as the house lights refused to be turned-on and the stage equipment was left intact, teasing us all further into staying well past when most would have.
Whoever started this rumour (Jesse Malin's management? the Horseshoe? the Concert Promoter Collective Concerts?) congratulations as it took on a life of its on, provided a sold-out a Jesse Malin concert on a Wednesday night and sold a few more beers than the Horseshoe would have otherwise.
The end tally was a great Jesse Malin show, a Bruce Springsteen No-Show, and some people paying inflated prices for a rumoured performance that never materialized.
Had BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN taken the stage at the Horseshoe Tavern on September 15, 2010, it would have been one of the MOST CRUCIAL Nights in Toronto's music history.
Had BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN taken the stage at the Horseshoe Tavern on September 15, 2010, it would have been one of the MOST CRUCIAL Nights in Toronto's music history.
Paul Benoit
Director / Crucial Correspondent
CRUCIAL MATTERS
paul@crucialmatters.com
www.crucialmatters.com
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