The Boss concludes fifth Bonnaroo

Photo by AP Photo / Dave Martin

Bruce Springsteen, left, and the E-Street Band performs during the Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn., Saturday, June 13, 2009. At right is guitarist Steven Van Zandt. At rear is drummer Max Weinberg.

Dancing during Wilco's Bonnaroo performance

I don't think I've ever been to a rock show before. At least that's how I felt leaving Bruce Springsteen last night around 00:30 p.m. CDT.

I was exhausted after his first five songs, that started explosively with "Badlands" and only slowed during the start of "Outlaw Pete." He shouted out my home state, "the great state of New Jersey," and led the crowd in a sing-along to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," after a fan requested it. Christmas carols in June! Everyone loved it.

Springsteen endearingly called the festival "the Bonnaroo" twice when addressing the crowd and it made me giggle. I spent the show wearing down my cell phone battery with Twitter updates.

Springsteen was my end to a perfect Saturday. I was pooped after his three-hour show and couldn't stay awake for the late night shows of NIN, MGMT and Moe.

Earlier in the day, I spent time at Bon Iver and Wilco. Both were great. I thoroughly enjoyed the dancing at Wilco (see video above). I think everyone saved up to use their moves then.

I can't believe my fifth Bonnaroo has come and gone already. I had so much fun experimenting with Twitter coverage and live-stream video (check videos here). But next year I know to bring extra cell phone batteries. There's too many things worth Tweeting at Bonnaroo.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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