Glory Days - EMCA Concert Review

Review by: Brian Adolph

Photo credits: Derrek Owen

Appearing before an enthusiastic, sold-out audience, Bruce Springsteen tribute band Glory Days kicked off EMCA’s 53rd season on October 2 with a rocking show celebrating the work of a musical legend.

The sextet, featuring seasoned musicians Bill Evans (keyboards and vocals), Paolo Erme (drums), Henry Wilk (bass), Neil Brathwaite (sax, vocals and percussion), and Gary Boardman (guitar and vocals), faithfully reproduced an authentic E Street Band sound, with Brathwaite confidently stepping into The Big Man, Clarence Clemons’ shoes and thrilling the audience with his tenor sax virtuosity.

Center stage was Serge Tremblay in the role of The Boss. With a weathered Telecaster, tense energy and a remarkable resemblance to Springsteen, Tremblay belted out the hits, often going out on the floor to get the crowd dancing and singing along. An engaging and charismatic performer, Tremblay personified Springsteen to a tee.

The 19-song performance drew heavily from the iconic Born in the U.S.A. album, featuring crowd-pleasers like “Dancing in the Dark,” “I’m on Fire” and “Glory Days.” The group also delved into earlier and later works, reminding the audience of how pervasive Springsteen’s music was - and is.

A thoroughly entertaining show, Glory Days continues to keep the magic and energy of a Springsteen performance alive.

EMCA's next show brings Winnipeg's own The Stanley County Cut-ups to Pinawa with hard drivin’ banjo solos, four part harmony singing, blues-infused mandolin breaks and hair-raising fiddle tunes. This bluegrass quintet is sure to get your toes a-tappin' and your hands a-clappin'!