ROME - The possibility of American artist Bruce Springsteen playing the first European date of his 2016 World Tour at the Circus Maximus in Rome is looking all the more likely. The annual Race for the Cure, which uses the same venue, has recently agreed to shift from the date of May 14 that was also requested by the American singer. 

 Concert organisers have requested permission to occupy the renowned venue between May 9 and 14, for set-up and preparation for the concert on May 14, and then between May 15 and 19 for the dismantling of the stage. 

The Race for the Cure organisers have moved the event to May 22. 

 Prior to Springsteen’s concert, the last rock rock concert held at Circus Maximus, which used to be ancient Rome’s chariot-racing stadium, was The Rolling Stones in June 2014. This concert caused public outrage when it was revealed that the city charged a mere 8,000 euros for the occupation of this land. Since then, the price has been increased to 200,000 euros for the space.

 Bruce Springsteen, known as “The Boss”, is renowned worldwide for his poetic lyrics, distinctive voice and his lengthy and energetic stage performances, with concerts often running over three hours long. His most successful studio albums, Born to Run (1975) and Born in the USA (1984) have led to him selling more than 120 million records worldwide, ranking him as one of the world’s best selling-artists of all time. He has been rewarded for his work with 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes and an Academy Award.