Springsteen and Phish Share the Bonnaroo Stage

Santa Claus comes to town early this year.

Videos by American Songwriter

Photos by Robert Clement

On the last night of the Bonnaroo, Phish shared their headlining, late-night set with Bruce Springsteen, Saturday’s headliner. It was the first time the two have ever worked together. Phish frontman Trey Anastasio introduced Springsteen as his childhood hero. The Boss led Phish through a rollicking, 10-minute cover of the Wilson Pickett classic “Mustang Sally,” and then things really got weird. Phish backed Springsteen up on his own “Glory Days” and “Bobby Jean,” with Springsteen acting as conductor to the jam band greats.

Springsteen also checked out Neko Case and Band of Horses during his time at Bonnaroo; it was the second festival the Boss ever plaid, after the Netherlands’ Pinkpop earlier last month.

Springsteen took the opportunity to rock Bonnaroo for nearly three hours, and even played the odd request: the E Street Band’s version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” “Have you all been good?” he asked the massive crowd. “You haven’t been taking any brown acid?”

Springsteen’s Saturday Set:

Badlands

No Surrender

Lucky Day

Outlaw Pete

Out in the Street

Working on a Dream

Seeds

Johnny 99

Youngstown

Raise Your Hand

Santa Claus is Coming to Town