Tedeschi Trucks Band Pull Out First-Time Bruce Springsteen Covers in New Jersey

Photo Credit: Stuart Levine

On Friday, Feb. 16, and Saturday, Feb. 17, Tedeschi Trucks Band performed at Hard Rock Live at the Etess Arena in Atlantic City, N.J. The concerts functioned as the group’s first shows of 2024 and the official start to the Deuces Wild run. During nights one and two in The Garden State, the ensemble offered live debuts of Bruce Springsteen material as an homage to their location and the regional favorite.

The Friday night frame started with a ricochet of material from I Am the Moon to Made Up Mind and back to the 2022 set, accentuated by Derek Trucks thoughtful strums. The staged musicians continued to work through songs from their 2022 set on “Fall In,” “Take Me as I Am,” and “Pasaquan.” From a series of originals came the evening’s initial cover, a first-time play of Springsteen’s “Atlantic City,” performed in the city for which it was named–adding to the emotive nature of the delivery. 

Covers ensued with takes on Dr. John’s “I Walked on Guilded Splinters” and Blind Joe Reynolds’ “Outside Woman Blues.” Returning to originals, the band performed their I Am the Moon title track, more off the aforementioned LP, and ultimately classic stunner “Midnight in Harlem,” complete with teases of “Maki Madni,” “In a Silent Way,” and “Mountain Jam” in the intro of staple track. The main frame closed on “Bound for Glory,” with players returning to the stage for a pair of covers to close out night one. 

Night two carried a similar motif, including a live debut of Springsteen’s “State Trooper,” lyrically shared between Susan Tedeschi and Mike Mattison. To follow, the group of exemplary players picked up Wet Willie’s original “Keep On Smilin’,” followed by Aretha Franklin’s original “It Ain’t Fair,” which also functioned as a first-time play featuring Alecia Chakour on vocals. 

More covers surfaced, including The Allman Brothers Band’s “Dreams.” Also featured during night two was Tedeschi’s solo release “Just Won’t Burn,” the title track from her second studio LP, which received a 25th-anniversary rerelease late last year. “I Want More” was played prior to frame-ender: a take on Jeff Beck’s “Beck’s Bolero.” For the night’s Atlantic City finale, the group closed out their stand on Matthew Moore’s “Space Captain.” 

After their Jersey start, TTB will continue to tour with a three-night run at New York’s Beacon Theatre, beginning on Feb. 29 and going through March 2. Tickets remain on sale. 

Scroll down to view the night’s setlist via Tedeschi Trucks Band’s official Instagram page.