Bruce Springsteen’s “Road Diary” Review: An Inside Look at The Boss’s Epic Tour, But Misses the Deeper Story

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band have been an unstoppable force in live music for nearly half a century, delivering electrifying performances that leave a lasting impression on audiences worldwide. When whispers started swirling that their current tour might be Springsteen’s last, fans were understandably concerned. After all, The Boss is now 75 years old. However, Springsteen was quick to shut down those rumours, emphatically declaring, “We ain’t doing no farewell tour bullshit!” He made it clear that, despite the years, he has no plans of hanging up his guitar anytime soon.

Springsteen’s live shows have become a key part of his legacy, with generations of fans forming a community around his music. Given the sheer impact and cultural weight of his tours, it’s almost surprising that no one has thoroughly documented this experience in film before. But with “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band,” director Thom Zimny finally gives audiences a look into what it takes to pull off a Springsteen tour, capturing the essence of the band’s enduring appeal and meticulous preparation.

Zimny is no stranger to Springsteen’s world, having worked on numerous projects that center around the iconic rocker, including the Emmy-winning “Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: Live in New York City,” “Springsteen on Broadway,” and the reflective “Western Stars.” He’s the natural choice to helm a documentary that chronicles Springsteen’s latest tour, and in many ways, “Road Diary” is a celebration of their decades-long collaboration. However, while Zimny’s film offers some insightful glimpses behind the scenes, it also misses opportunities to dive deeper into the complexities of the tour, especially considering the obstacles Springsteen and his bandmates have faced along the way.

What is “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band” About?

“Road Diary” begins by taking viewers inside the creation of Springsteen’s 2023 tour, which is scheduled to run until the summer of 2025. One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is its portrayal of how the band’s process has evolved over the years. The last time they toured together was in 2017, and even in that relatively short span of time, their approach to concert production has shifted dramatically. Where Springsteen once leaned heavily on improvisation, often pulling out signs from the crowd to take spontaneous song requests, his time on Broadway seems to have influenced him to focus more on storytelling. This tour is less about the unpredictable moments that once defined his performances and more about crafting a cohesive narrative through the songs and their arrangement.

In “Road Diary,” we see Springsteen wrestling with the structure of the setlist, carefully selecting which songs to include and in what order, with the goal of telling a story through the performance. This process is fascinating to watch unfold, as it reveals just how much thought goes into every decision he makes. It’s a more deliberate approach than fans might be used to, but it speaks to Springsteen’s desire to keep evolving as an artist, even after decades of performing.

Springsteen and The E Street Band’s Unyielding Dedication

Another theme that runs through “Road Diary” is the unyielding dedication that Springsteen and The E Street Band bring to every show. Despite the passage of time, the band’s energy and enthusiasm remain as strong as ever. Over the years, they’ve lost some key members, and everyone has aged, but the core of what makes their performances so dynamic is still intact. For Springsteen, the transition into his 70s has meant learning to trust the team around him more, knowing that he doesn’t have to oversee every detail for the show to be a success. While he’s still a perfectionist at heart, he’s also learned to let go of the reins in certain areas, allowing others to handle the technical aspects of the tour while he focuses on the music.

However, the film only touches briefly on the question that’s undoubtedly on the minds of many fans: Can a band in their 70s still deliver the same level of excitement they were known for in their prime? Zimny hints at this issue but doesn’t explore it in as much depth as he could have. Instead, “Road Diary” becomes a more straightforward, somewhat sanitized look at the band’s journey, offering moments of nostalgia and insight but ultimately falling short of being truly eye-opening.

Missed Opportunities in “Road Diary”

As Springsteen and The E Street Band embarked on this ambitious tour, they faced numerous challenges that Zimny’s documentary doesn’t fully address. Originally planned for 2020 to support the album Letter to You, the tour was delayed for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the tour finally began in 2023, it was only supposed to last until the end of that year. However, a series of setbacks including COVID outbreaks within the band, Springsteen’s treatment for peptic ulcer disease, and vocal issues pushed the tour into 2025. These hurdles could have added a compelling layer to the documentary, as they underscore the difficulty of maintaining the level of performance that fans have come to expect from Springsteen and his bandmates.

By focusing primarily on the early days of the tour and omitting these significant obstacles, Zimny misses an opportunity to capture the full scope of what this tour represents for the band. The medical issues and delays are an essential part of the story, and by not addressing them, “Road Diary” feels incomplete. The documentary could have been much more powerful if it had delved into the emotional and physical toll that these challenges have taken on the band, offering a more comprehensive look at what it means to continue performing at this stage in their careers.

The Joy and Struggles of Being on the Road

That said, “Road Diary” does succeed in highlighting the joys and struggles of being on the road with a band that has been together for nearly 50 years. Through intimate behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, we see the camaraderie that has developed among the band members over the decades. Springsteen takes time to pay tribute to the bandmates they’ve lost along the way, such as saxophonist Clarence Clemons and keyboardist Danny Federici, and these moments of reflection add a poignant layer to the film. The documentary is at its best when it gives us a glimpse into the band’s personal dynamics, showing the deep bond that has kept them together through countless tours and lineup changes.

However, for all its charm, “Road Diary” is not without its shortcomings. As with many of Zimny’s previous projects, the music is front and center, which is certainly a treat for fans. But there’s a sense that the documentary is skimming the surface, avoiding the more complex or darker aspects of the band’s journey. In this way, it’s reminiscent of Zimny’s 2024 documentary about The Beach Boys, which chose to focus on the lighter, more nostalgic aspects of the band’s history, rather than delving into the personal struggles and tragedies that have also shaped their story.

By taking a similarly optimistic approach to Springsteen’s tour, Zimny delivers an enjoyable but somewhat shallow portrait of an artist who has never shied away from confronting the more difficult aspects of life in his music. For fans who are deeply familiar with Springsteen’s work, “Road Diary” may feel like it’s playing it safe, glossing over some of the more interesting or challenging parts of the story in favor of a more polished, feel-good narrative.

The Legacy of Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band

Ultimately, “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band” is a pleasant, if not particularly groundbreaking, look at one of the greatest live bands of all time. It’s a love letter to Springsteen’s music and the fans who have supported him through the years, and for that alone, it’s worth watching. But for those hoping for a deeper exploration of what makes Springsteen and The E Street Band so special, the film may leave something to be desired.

The documentary serves as a reminder that, despite the setbacks and challenges, Springsteen and his band are still capable of delivering powerful, memorable performances. Their commitment to their craft is evident in every frame, and for longtime fans, there’s a certain comfort in knowing that The Boss isn’t going anywhere just yet.

However, as enjoyable as the film is, it’s hard not to wonder what might have been if Zimny had chosen to dig a little deeper, to explore not just the highs but also the lows of life on the road at this stage in the band’s career. There’s a story there one that speaks to resilience, aging, and the power of music to bring people together even in the face of adversity that feels only partially told.

FAQs

What is “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band” about?
“Road Diary” is a documentary that chronicles Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band’s 2023-2025 tour, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of their rehearsal process and live performances.

Who directed the documentary?
The documentary was directed by Thom Zimny, a longtime collaborator of Springsteen who has worked on numerous films and projects centered around the artist.

What makes this tour significant?
This tour was originally planned for 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour also faced several setbacks, including Springsteen’s health issues, which pushed the end date to 2025.

Does the documentary cover the entire tour?
No, the documentary primarily focuses on the early days of the tour and does not address some of the significant challenges the band faced, such as health issues and delays.

Where can I watch “Road Diary”?
The documentary is available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.