The Killers Cover Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire” In Asbury Park

At the recent Sea.Hear.Now Festival held in Asbury Park, New Jersey, The Killers paid tribute to Bruce Springsteen by performing his song “I’m on Fire.”

The lead singer of The Killers, Brandon Flowers, expressed to the audience in Springsteen’s hometown that it was a must-do moment. The song “I’m on Fire” originally appeared on Springsteen’s widely successful 1984 album, Born in the U.S.A.

The Killers introduced their cover during their headline performance at the festival, which took place on September 16 at North Beach in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Later that same evening, Flowers took the stage at the iconic Stone Pony club in Asbury Park and delivered his rendition of another Springsteen classic, “The Promised Land,” accompanied by the Tangiers Blues Band.

Flowers on Springsteen’s Influence

Brandon Flowers has consistently cited Bruce Springsteen as a significant influence, and this connection was evident in their 2021 collaboration, “Dustland.” According to Brooklyn Vegan, Flowers wrote a heartfelt letter expressing his admiration for Springsteen around the time of their joint release. In Flowers’ own words:

“That’s where Bruce comes in. Before I really became a fan of his, I was in the business of stadium-size everything. Larger than life EVERYTHING. Certainly larger than the lives of Jeannie and Terry Flowers.”

He continued:

“But Bruce has written a lot about people like my parents and found a whole lot of beauty in otherwise invisible people’s hopes and dreams. Their struggles, and their losses. I’m grateful to him for opening this door for me.”

Springsteen Postpones Tour Dates Due to Illness

Although Springsteen didn’t make an appearance at the Sea.Hear.Now festival, he did join The Killers on stage for three songs during their Madison Square Garden concert the previous year. Currently, Springsteen is in recovery mode following symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, which led to the postponement of eight upcoming concerts on his 2023 tour with the E Street Band.

Reflecting on his 1982 album Nebraska in an interview with CBS News earlier this year, Springsteen shared insights into his life journey. He remarked on how he realized what truly mattered as he entered his thirties. “I think in your twenties, a lot of things work for you,” he said:

“Your thirties is where you start to become an adult.”

Springsteen recalled moments of self-discovery, where he asked himself about his home, his partner, and the family he had envisioned for the future, only to find that these elements were absent. This led him to a profound realization of his identity and roots.

A Diverse Lineup at Sea.Hear.Now Festival

Audiences at the Sea.Hear.Now festival were treated to an eclectic lineup of music, with Weezer, the Breeders, and Foo Fighters also taking the stage to entertain the crowd. Weezer brought their signature blend of catchy rock tunes, while the Breeders showcased their unique indie sound, and the Foo Fighters delivered their high-energy rock performance.

As the festival concluded on September 17, the memories of the diverse musical experiences shared by attendees lingered on. The event served as a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and create lasting moments of joy and connection. Whether it was dancing to The Killers’ homage to Springsteen or rocking out to the Foo Fighters’ hits, the festival offered a memorable weekend of music for all who attended.