Gaslight Anthem, Glastonbury 2009

Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen to the American Dream.

Brian Fallon of New Jersey’s Gaslight Anthem is a charismatic young man. Since he waltzed onto the John Peel stage in the slowly fading evening sun a humbled grin cascaded his face that at no point looked like fading. Clad in his trademark white t shirt with ink plastering his forearms this looked like a regular Gaslight Punk proceeding, but as Fallon’s expression began to bubble with yet more excitement, anticipation and that nostalgic hope that continually orbits him it was clear that this was going to be a whole lot more.

From the stompin’ punk-punch of “High Lonesome” to the almighty penetrating lick of “Even Cowgirls Get The Blues” the four-piece held their heads high and their musical credentials of authenticity even higher. They quickly disregard criticism of having lost their way after “Sink Or Swim” as songs from “The 59 Sound” oiled up an already musky tent of raised fists and bellowing voices.

And then it happened. It actually happened. That mummer of past shows and mythical collaborations came together. “Ssssh” Fallon said, “I think I can hear the shores of my hometown...” And cool, calm and collected as ever on wandered a 59 year old man, rocking black attire and the obligatory sunglasses, it was Bruce Springsteen. One hero stood on stage next to a future musical legacy and together the Gaslight Anthem and Bruce Springsteen burst into a colossal rock and roll frenzy of “59 Sound” that sent shivers down spines, brought tears to eyes and converted the dreams of musical genius into reality.

After the smashing bellow of “Great Expectations” and the enthralling heart-on-sleeve “Backseat” it was solidified that Gaslight had firmly cast themselves into the future of rock and roll music. They sung about tales of love, about the hardships of life and about characters that only appear real when we close our eyes. And if one point has to be noted it would be this. When you witness a band so elated to be playing their own songs on foreign shores, so enthralled to be a part of rock music and passionate about what they are doing, you stop and think – could Gaslight Anthem be one of the greatest bands on the planet right now? It’s simple. The answer’s yes.