Official bootleg info thread.

[HCL]

So, I don't want to bring back from the dead some thread and I want something organized. That's why a new one.
This thread is for you to list all bootlegs you've heard and can say with conviction that the sound is great. Or if you prefer, list your boots and rank then.
Now, I know that U2start provides a fan-rating and a sound quality one, but I've downloaded 5 stars sound quality several times and they were far from sounding like August 28, 1993, for example. So, I hope this thread can help anyone that's wishing to download good bootlegs. Especially in the case of people like me, that have shtty internet connection and need to wait a good hour (or more) to get a bootleg. Also, I'm just starting to go after these kinda of stuff.

If you're going to rank, please use this:
5: perfect (Dublin, August 28, 1993 as example)
4: very good (Tel Aviv, September 30, 1997)
3: good (San Diego, March 30, 2005)
2: average
1: poor
0: don't download / waste of time

You can also rate as 4.5, for example... if you feel some booteg is on some intermediary level.
My list:

• Stockholm, June 11, 1992 - 4.5
• Dublin, August 28, 1993 - 5
• Tel Aviv, September 30, 1997 - 4
• São Paulo, January 31, 1998 - 5
• San Diego, March 30, 2005 - 3
• Barcelona, June 30, 2009 - 3.5
• Barcelona, July 2, 2009 - 3
• Milano, July 7, 2009 - 4

And btw, if you wish to say why you think it's a worth-download bootleg for other reasons other than quality, just say it.
Thanks.

 

[corianderstem]

I actually started going through my bootleg collection and trying to rate each one. I started it out of boredom, but I have hundreds, so I don't know how far I'll get.

But maybe I can help contribute to the thread, although I can't say that my rating system is the same as others'. Something I find listenable, someone else might find awful.

 

[HCL]

Oh, as long as you can help it's okay. Those shows I posted can be used as a good example of the way I feel about ranking. But I don't think differences in opinions will be that big unless you're an audiophile - which I'm not.

 

[Acrobat51829]

Are you talking about just the sound quality, or the quality of the overall bootleg, i.e. the performance?

 

[HCL]

Sound quality, but like I said... if you feel that there's a reason to download the bootleg even if it has a bad sound quality (like the performance) there's no problem in letting us know.

 

[Acrobat51829]

These are a few of my favorites for both sound quality and performances. I use the same ratings system as U2start (since that's my source for all of them). Though I'm no audiophile, I'd rate them all 5 stars for sound quality, and I'd rate most of them 5 stars for performance as well.

1981-02-12 The Hauge
1981-03-06 Boston
1981-12-13 Lido Beach
1982-12-06 London - really really excellent performances here, especially the early version of New Year's Day with the "maybe the time is right" lyric sung.
1983-05-05 Boston
1984-10-23 Nantes
1987-04-29 Rosemont
1987-11-07 Denver
All 4 1989 Point depot shows, but especially the 26th
1992-08-16 Washington DC
1997-08-28 Leeds
1997-11-14 Miami
1998-02-11 Santiago
2000-12-05 Irving Plaza
2001-03-24 Miami
2001-05-16 Chicago
2005-04-28 Vancouver
2006-12-04 Saitama

I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for exactly, but I hope that helps some.

 

[CTU2fan]

I was in the process of throwing a rating on mine, I'd gotten halfway through Elevation tour but my pc died...I can probably recover the hd and get my list back, it's on my "to do" list (but a long list it is ).

I really think it's important to consider the source when you rate them. I didn't do numbers, I just went with a range "poor-fair-good-very good-excellent" but I also put the source in. For example 2005-03-30 San Diego (Edgar's) - VG/Ex audience, or 1997-08-28 Leeds (Pump it up, Georges!) - Excellent broadcast, or 2001-05-03 Cleveland (Beautiful Night in Cleveland) - VG/Ex ALD. Actually I think on my list it had the taper's rig rather than name as some guys prefer we not throw their names or even initials on the list but you get the idea. I just like to rate soundboards in relation to other soundboards, audience tapes in relation to other audience tapes, IEM's to IEM's...just makes more sense to me.

 

[HCL]

These are a few of my favorites for both sound quality and performances. I use the same ratings system as U2start (since that's my source for all of them). Though I'm no audiophile, I'd rate them all 5 stars for sound quality, and I'd rate most of them 5 stars for performance as well.

1981-02-12 The Hauge
1981-03-06 Boston
1981-12-13 Lido Beach
1982-12-06 London - really really excellent performances here, especially the early version of New Year's Day with the "maybe the time is right" lyric sung.
1983-05-05 Boston
1984-10-23 Nantes
1987-04-29 Rosemont
1987-11-07 Denver
All 4 1989 Point depot shows, but especially the 26th
1992-08-16 Washington DC
1997-08-28 Leeds
1997-11-14 Miami
1998-02-11 Santiago
2000-12-05 Irving Plaza
2001-03-24 Miami
2001-05-16 Chicago
2005-04-28 Vancouver
2006-12-04 Saitama

I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for exactly, but I hope that helps some.

No, that's great! Thanks! It's what I'm looking for; if you feel they're worth 5 stars for audio quality, it's ok. Btw, I'm really thinking about downloading Popmart in Leeds soon.
Again, as a reference, for me the ultimate 5 stars is the August 28, 1993 concert in Dublin at the R.D.S. arena. Of course there'll be minor disagreements, like a bootleg that I find worth of 4 stars and someone else feels it's worth 4.5 or 5. That's okay, but at least we're making a decent list of what's worth the effort.
But anyone that's posting, remember: don't say it's 5 stars unless you really feel it's that good. No problem in ranking it as a 4.5 or whatever. Just for organization's sake.

I was in the process of throwing a rating on mine, I'd gotten halfway through Elevation tour but my pc died...I can probably recover the hd and get my list back, it's on my "to do" list (but a long list it is ).

I really think it's important to consider the source when you rate them. I didn't do numbers, I just went with a range "poor-fair-good-very good-excellent" but I also put the source in. For example 2005-03-30 San Diego (Edgar's) - VG/Ex audience, or 1997-08-28 Leeds (Pump it up, Georges!) - Excellent broadcast, or 2001-05-03 Cleveland (Beautiful Night in Cleveland) - VG/Ex ALD. Actually I think on my list it had the taper's rig rather than name as some guys prefer we not throw their names or even initials on the list but you get the idea. I just like to rate soundboards in relation to other soundboards, audience tapes in relation to other audience tapes, IEM's to IEM's...just makes more sense to me.

Well, your ranking goes almost the same way as numbers.. I just prefer numbers cause you can use decimals... and of course, it's universal. While words can vary from person to person.
Oh, if you can do it, it would be awesome to have a list separated by sources. I haven't mentioned it on my first post cause I'm trying to keep this simple. It's no problem at all though.
It would also help people which don't like certain types of recording like IEMs, for example. I think it would be really helpful indeed if you could post this.
But anyone else posting, don't worry if you can't mention the source. If you can, great... if you can't, just post your list.

Thanks again.

 

[Acrobat51829]

Definitely definitely get Popmart Leeds.
I forgot to add Popmart Sarajevo on my list as well, another 5 star show.


Going through my collection again, I found that these are a few shows with less than 5 star quality that I highlighted as having excellent performances:

1980-02-26 Dublin - 4
1981-11-14 Boston - 4
1983-07-03 Werchter - 4
1985-02-05 Bologna - 4
1987-06-12 London - 4.5
1987-11-18 Los Angeles - 4.5
1990-01-10 Rotterdam - 4.5
1992-05-22 Milan - 3.5 - best show of them all - amazing energy and audience
1997-07-31 Mannheim - 4.5
2005-05-28 Boston - 3.5
2005-07-29 Gothenburg - 4.5
2005-09-21 Chicago - 4.5


I should really start to compile a more organized list...

 

[HCL]

^Popmart and ZooTV.. gotta tell ya, some awesome bootlegs there. I noticed you don't list São Paulo, January 31, 1998 nowhere in those lists. Top audio quality and maybe my favourite performance, so I guess you never heard it. If I'm right download it, you won't regret. I guarantee you.
And thanks again! once we'll have enough I'll start to gather everyone's list into one big post with the average ranks.


Another two to add to my list:

• Dublin, December 26, 1989 - 4.5 (Top notch performance though)
• Wembley, August 11, 1993 - 3 (I had to use iTunes equalizer to make it sound better though.)

 

[HCL]

^Sorry, forgot to add: even though it doesn't have a great sound - maybe a 2.5 now that I'm thinking about - the London show is the legendary one where MacPhisto calls Salman Rushdie on stage. Also, the Sarajevo link it's one of the most moving moments you could see on a concert. So, I think it's worth the download if you're into that historical side.

 

[God Part III]

Popmart Sarajevo is the best thing ever.
If I was to explain what U2 is all about, I'd just give them Popmart Sarajevo. It's legendary, it's probably the greatest thing they ever did.

 

[cobl04]

someone make me a better 18-11-06

 

[bono_man2002]

someone make me a better 18-11-06

that was the first night wasn't it?

Isn't the recording of that one, legend....dary!

 

[RockNRollDawgie]

Popmart Sarajevo is the best thing ever.
If I was to explain what U2 is all about, I'd just give them Popmart Sarajevo. It's legendary, it's probably the greatest thing they ever did.

Even though Bono loses his voice half-way through, it is a legendary and very moving show!

 

[GretzkyU2Yanks]

agree with a lot of the ones that were listed by acrobat51829, the problem at this point is getting the right source for some of them.
I can post any of the 'legal' ones on u2torrents if they are not up there now. just let me know.

1981-03-06 Boston
I wish I could get this one again but its not allowed on most sites since its been released in lossy format

1981-12-13 Lido Beach
I downloaded this 3 times before getting one that is light years beyond the rest. you need the 'reel 2 reel source'

1982-03-17
took me a long time to get a clean version of this as well without a hiss, but its a good show

1983-05-05 Boston
also May 6th is great too. longer setlist, I believe some/all of this is officially released in lossy now though....

1984-10-23 Nantes
another one that I downloaded multiple times. incomplete set had better sound, full version had an awful hiss. I believe I have a clean copy of th complete show now.

1987-11-07 Denver
more versions of this show than any other show. most are good, and nobody agrees on which is best so find one you like and stick with it

All 4 1989 Point depot shows, but especially the 26th
27th for me

1992-08-13
just downloaded a matrix of this show that sounds great

1993-08-28
dont get me started on this one. so many copies out there that have been edited ridiculously. I compiled a complete show of this from multiple sources and then found out BSB was released as a bside so the show (or that one track anyway) is not allowed anymore.

1997-11-14 Miami
good but...

1997-12-03
the best is this one (pre broadcast). its of course is officially released on fan club CD, VHS, and DVD but if you can find a copy its a great sound.

also as stated sarajevo97 has great sound and is a very important show

2000-12-05 Irving Plaza
there is pre broadcast and post broadcast. get the PRE. huge difference

2001-11-30
Atlanta soundboard. just traded publicly for the 1st time a few weeks ago.

also Cleveland from May 2001 is nice, and a matrix of 2001-10-25 is great too.

2005-10-08
nice audience recording (and they play Fast Cars)

2006-12-09
Hawaii matrix is a great show and great recording. there is a 2 source matrix and a 3 source matrix, I forget which is better.

there are so many GREAT audience recordings for the last 3 tours (Elevation, Vertigo, 360) its pointless to worry about soundboard if you cant find one. just find an excellent audience recording and you'll be better off.

 

[gareth brown]

isn't "Official Bootleg Thread" a slight contradiction in terms?

 

[cobl04]

that was the first night wasn't it?

Isn't the recording of that one, legend....dary!

whoops, 19th i meant.

incidentally, i just gave everyone my mobile pin code

 

[bono_man2002]

whoops, 19th i meant.

incidentally, i just gave everyone my mobile pin code

Oh yes, the 19th Bad!!!

 

[Acrobat51829]

1983-05-05 Boston
also May 6th is great too. longer setlist, I believe some/all of this is officially released in lossy now though....

Great show! Wish I was alive at the time to be there.

All 4 1989 Point depot shows, but especially the 26th
27th for me

Ahh, Streets performance on the 26th makes it just narrowly beat it out over the 27th show for me.

 

[HCL]

I forgot to say, all the boots I list are downloaded from U2 start, so the source that's there is the source of the ones I list. If there's more than one source I'll say it.

Also, would like to make a few corrections:

• Stockholm, June 11, 1992 - 5
• São Paulo, January 31, 1998 - 4
• Milano, July 7, 2009 - 4.5

• Dublin, December 26, 1989 - 5 (Top notch performance.)

And add these ones:

• Las Vegas, April 25, 1997 - 5 (Yes, they screw up several times! And even with those mistakes, this manages to be one of the best PopMart concerts. Seriously. And say what you want, but best performance of Please I guess.)
• Dublin, December 27, 1989 - 5
• Atlanta, March 30, 2001 - 3.5
• Leeds, August 28, 1997 - 4.5
• São Paulo, February 20, 2006 - 4
• Sarajevo, September 30, 1997 - 4.5
• Saitama, December 4, 2006 - 5
• Live Aid concert - 4 (Best performance of Bad... ever.)
• Live 8 concert - 5 (One and Sgt. Peppers, must have.)

 

[Acrobat51829]

[*]Las Vegas, April 25, 1997 - 5 (Yes, they screw up several times! And even with those mistakes, this manages to be one of the best PopMart concerts. Seriously.)

Really? Wow, kudos to you man, it still takes a lot of effort for me to listen to it.

*]Live Aid concert - 4 (Best performance of Bad... ever.)

Check out Bad in the Saitama show you list right above it...way better version than LiveAid for me.

 

[CTU2fan]

Despite how Bullet is ruined with interference throughout I prefer December 30th over the other 3 Lovetown Dublin gigs. Just a brilliant gig with great versions of favorites of mine...plus "She's a Mystery to Me".

 

[HCL]

Really? Wow, kudos to you man, it still takes a lot of effort for me to listen to it.

Yup, it impressed me a lot. It has so many good ideas that they dropped along the tour. I really wonder how PopMart would've turned out if they hadn't screwed up a few things on this night.
Of course, not saying PopMart was bad. It was bloody amazing! But there's some good and great stuff in this bootleg if you look for details and it can makes one wonder.

Check out Bad in the Saitama show you list right above it...way better version than LiveAid for me.

Hmmm... I listened to it today. Even though it's great, I guess to me no other version can top Live Aid. (But I recommend Dublin, December 27, 1989 also... Bono's vocals give me chills. Amazing.)

 

[kennerado]

CTU2Fan are you referring to the awesome Bullet with the 11 O'Clock snippet with Edge doing the riff from it?

 

[U2girl]

The older tours seem to have unifying favourites (Red rocks, Chicago in UF, Rock's hottest ticket/Back in Denver for JT, Dublin shows for Lovetown, Stockholm/Washington/Zoo Europa and the Wembley shows for Zoo TV, Sarajevo for Popmart) but there seems to be a smaller consensus for the last two tours.

Elevation: 9th of June Boston, 15 and 16 May Chicago, 31 October Providence
Vertigo: 12 May Chicago, Amsterdam 16 July (the one where they play Miss Sarajevo for the first time), 20 and 21 September Chicago and any of the Saitama shows.

 

[CTU2fan]

CTU2Fan are you referring to the awesome Bullet with the 11 O'Clock snippet with Edge doing the riff from it?

Was that on the 30th? I think so...by the time the 11 Oclock riff comes the dropouts and static are pretty well fixed luckily. Wish we had a clean version of that, such a great gig.

 

[MMP]

A few more:

• Live from Cork, October 5, 1979: 2.5
• Live from Dublin, February 26, 1980: 3.5
• Live from Tullamore, March 2, 1980: 3
• Live 8 Concert: 5
• Self Aid Concert: 4
• Live from NYC, December 5, 2000: 5
• Live from Atalanta, March 30, 2001: 3.5
• Live from Chicago, May 16, 2001: 4
• Live from East Rutherford, June 22, 2001: 4.5
• Live from Miami, December 2, 2001: 3.5
• Live from Osaka, December 1, 1989: 4.5
• Live from Pontiac, September 9, 1992: 5
• Live from Adelaide, November 16, 1993: 4
• Live from Washington, August 16, 1992: 2 (Don't download this on u2start! Awful hiss through the whole recording. )

 

[Snowlock]

Anyone have this March 30, 1992: Minneapolis, MN at Target Center in a 4 or 5? I have never seen a quality copy of it. I have one that's about a 2.5. The performance of WGRYWH is the best I've ever heard.