Lorraine Williamson
San Sebastián, with its cinematic coastline, old-world elegance and bold Basque heart, is a city that has quietly claimed a piece of Bruce Springsteen’s soul. For “The Boss”, it’s more than a dot on a tour map — it’s a place of refuge, rhythm and resonance.
This summer, Springsteen returned once again to the city he’s grown to love, performing two back-to-back sell-out shows at Estadio Reale Arena. But as always with Springsteen, the music is only part of the story.
A city that moves him
From his first appearance here in 2008, Springsteen’s connection with San Sebastián has only deepened. The city’s blend of poetic charm and political pulse mirrors his own. He’s not just passing through — he stays, he wanders, he eats like a local. And each time he returns, it’s with a sense of personal affection that goes far beyond the stage.
On 21 and 24 June 2025, as part of his Land of Hope and Dreams European tour, Springsteen turned the Reale Arena into a cathedral of joy. The concerts were a tribute to The River, the seminal 1980 album that still hits like a freight train. Over 70,000 fans sang along to Thunder Road, Born to Run, and a soaring Chimes of Freedom — the latter dedicated to the people of San Sebastián in a moment as moving as it was unifying.
Not just a performer, but a protester
True to form, Springsteen didn’t stop at the music. Mid-show, he stepped forward — Spanish and Basque subtitles behind him — and spoke of democracy under threat. “In my America,” he said, “the democracy I love is in danger. Tonight, we raise our voices for freedom.”
It was a message with local resonance. In a region with a complex political history and strong cultural pride, Springsteen’s words struck a chord. He closed with Bob Dylan’s Chimes of Freedom, followed by This Land is Your Land, Woody Guthrie’s defiant hymn of inclusion. These weren’t just encores; they were calls to conscience.
Basque by heart
Offstage, Springsteen is known to embrace the quieter pleasures of San Sebastián. He stayed once more at the historic Hotel María Cristina — a belle époque landmark overlooking the river and a favourite among Hollywood elite during the city’s international film festival.
Locals spotted him strolling La Concha beach and the narrow streets of the old town, often ducking into pintxos bars without fanfare. At Bar Nestor, he sampled the legendary tomato salad and txuleta steak. At Gandarias, he sipped Basque wine between mouthfuls of seafood pintxos. Arzak — the city’s three-Michelin-starred temple to avant-garde Basque cuisine — hosted his team. Springsteen, ever consistent, ordered fish. And the cheesecake? He liked it so much, they wrapped it to go.
Music with meaning
For San Sebastián, a Springsteen concert is never just a gig. It’s a communion. His themes — freedom, human dignity, solidarity — mirror the city’s own heartbeat. Locals remember 2016, when he leapt from the stage to greet fans one by one. That gesture has never been forgotten.
While other towns, such as Peralejos de las Truchas in Guadalajara, have honoured him as an hijo adoptivo, San Sebastián may soon follow suit. There’s already talk of awarding him the Tambor de Oro — the city’s highest civic honour, bestowed each January during its patron saint celebrations.
Why San Sebastián keeps calling
In an industry built on detachment and distance, Springsteen’s connection with San Sebastián is rare. Here, he doesn’t just perform — he belongs. And for a global icon used to big stages and even bigger cities, it speaks volumes that he finds solace in the salty air and soulful corners of this Basque gem.
Whether the award ever comes or not, one thing is clear: for Bruce Springsteen, San Sebastián isn’t just another stop on the road. It’s a home away from home — a place where the music, the message, and the man all make sense.
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