Bruce Springsteen always brings a sense of occasion to his legendary concerts.

Tonight, we'll find out if he has a sense of humor.

Somewhere around 8:30 p.m., Springsteen and the E Street band will take the stage at the Roadhouse at the Lakefront to begin the final show of a year-long, worldwide tour in support of the album "Magic."

The show marks the high point of Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary party. Given what happened four years ago, you wonder if Springsteen will open with an Elton John song, perhaps "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)."

Nahhhhh.

The discussion may seem frivolous, but die-hard Springsteen fans spend a lot of time obsessing about what song the band will play first. Early in this tour, the choice was "Radio Nowhere," the hard-driving first single from "Magic."

As the tour progressed, though, Springsteen slid "Radio Nowhere" into the No. 2 slot and varied his opening songs. (At a show last week in Kansas City, he opened with "Ricky Wants a Man of Her Own," an obscure song from the "Tracks" rarities box set that he had never performed live before).

With a huge catalog of songs to choose from, Springsteen keeps shows interesting by mixing up the lineup from night to night, keeping fans guessing and throwing aficionados (and the band) an occasional curveball.

Earlier this week, we did a story about the phenomenon of fans using signs to request songs at shows. With the opening number approaching (could it be "Born to Run" or "Gypsy Biker"), we thought it would be cool to look at the setlists from Springsteen's previous Wisconsin concerts.

Look at the lists and use the Talkback feature to let us know what song you are dying to hear tonight.

Oct. 2, 1975
Uptown Theater
Milwaukee
(The famous "bomb scare" show)
Meeting Across the River
10th avenue Freeze-out
Spirit in the Night
Pretty Flamingo
She's the One
Born to Run
Thunder Road
Little Queenie
The E Street Shuffle
It's Hard to be a Saint in the City
Sha La La
Jungleland
Kitty's Back
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Detroit Medley
4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)
Quarter to Three

Feb. 20, 1977
Dane County Coliseum
Madison
Setlist incomplete
No details known (If you have any, send them our way)

Feb. 22, 1977
Milwaukee Auditorium
Night
Rendezvous
Spirit in the Night
It's My Life
Thunder Road
Mona
She's the One
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Action in the Street
Backstreets
Jungleland
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Born to Run
Quarter to Three

June 8, 1978
Dane County Coliseum
Badlands
Night
Spirit in the Night
Something in the Night
For You
The Promised Land
Prove it all Night
Racing in the Street
Thunder Road
Jungleland
Paradise by the C
Fire
Adam raised a Cain
Mona
She's the one
Growin' up
Backstreets
Rosalita (Come out Tonight)
Born to Run
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Quarter to Three

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3 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by Fan on Aug. 31, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (report)

Got the set list from last night?

Posted by Hog on Aug. 30, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (report)

Dierks Bentley rocked tonight. Bruce was good, but Dierks Bentley rocked the house.

Posted by mrjohn on Aug. 30, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (report)

No set list for any of the events but I was at the 10-2-96 Tom Joad Solo Show. Despite the somber atmosphere, one audience member insisted on shouting out between every song until Bruce so cleverly put him in his place. I wish I could remember what he said as it would have come in handy during the Eddie Vedder Riverside show.