REVIEW Springsteen rocks Cleveland in 'Vote for Change' tour

An unexpected curtain call involved members from all acts.
By JOHN PATRICK GATTA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CLEVELAND -- The participants admit that their brief barnstorming tour in presidential election swing states is an attempt to encourage Americans to register and vote. And the tour's title, "Vote for Change," gives an indication of which candidate they support.
But that doesn't mean that this can't be fun. The importance of Ohio in this year's election caused the state to be hit Saturday night in five major cities with performances by Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, Dixie Chicks, John Mellencamp, James Taylor and more.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, John Fogerty, R.E.M. and Bright Eyes treated a full house at Gund Arena to a unifying, energizing and life-affirming rally.
Cleveland was only the second date of this tour, but musical friendships have already been made. One wouldn't expect much in common between alt-rock legends R.E.M. and arena rocker Springsteen, but numerous compliments and hugs were exchanged throughout the night.
More importantly than the good cheer, the crowd was treated to Springsteen joining in on "Bad Day" and "Man On The Moon."
The three members of R.E.M. returned the favor on "Because The Night" and "Born To Run" during Springsteen's set. Stipe added his vocals during "Because the Night."
By the end of the night, an unexpected curtain call involved members from all the acts. It featured a hard-hitting "(What's So Funny About) Peace Love and Understanding" and inspiring "People Have The Power."
Show of patriotism
While he did speak to the crowd on the reason for this tour, saying, "Remember, the country we carry in our hearts is waiting,"
Springsteen let the music do much of the talking. He opened with an acoustic instrumental of "The Star Spangled Banner," which was quickly followed by the downtrodden scenario in "Born in the U.S.A." and never-say-die attitude of "Badlands."
Close to the hearts of area concertgoers, he performed "Youngstown," the chronicle of the city's rise and fall as a producer of steel products.
John Fogerty brought the energy level up another notch when he fronted the E Street Band to sing "Centerfield." But, with his latest single, "Deja Vu All Over Again" and the classic "Fortunate Son," he offered pointed takes on the world today.
While it was clear that most of the crowd -- including concertgoers from New York and California -- were there mainly to see Springsteen and his bandmates, they embraced the sets by R.E.M. and Bright Eyes.
It's shocking to think that R.E.M.'s talkative, elastic dancing frontman Michael Stipe used to hide behind his hair as a defense mechanism for his shyness. His exuberant stage presence endeared him not only to Springsteen but also to the more than 20,000 in attendance.
The band mixed hits such as "The One I Love" and "Losing My Religion" with tracks from its latest release, "Around the Sun," due Tuesday.
Nod to advertising
In a playful nod to the deluge of political advertising, Stipe told the audience, "We're R.E.M. and we approve of this concert." The feeling was mutual.
Bright Eyes, of Omaha, Neb., was the wild card for many of those seated at the Gund. Leader Conor Oberst's hypnotic and evocative lyrics and dramatic arrangements displayed a line that extended from Bob Dylan to Springsteen but with an alt-rock twist.
For those who question the patriotism of these performers, it's akin to someone protesting a film based on hearsay rather than actually watching it. Based on the sincere, well-reasoned, nonbashing statements made during taped segments played between acts as well as what was said onstage, the civic duty of how to move forward as a country has been taken very seriously.
It just so happens that their tools of trade include instruments and an ability to match verse with chorus into something that moves the feet, works the mind and touches the heart.