HelloAngel
ONE love, blood, life
By Ali Ficklin
2004.08
As fans, we?re full of suggestions for what U2 should do next ?producers to work with, singles to release, venues that must be played at. This is your chance to present those opinions. Who knows who might be out there reading it?
When U2 goes on tour the feeling can only be described as electric. Shockwaves spread amongst fans as tickets sell out in minutes. You?ve been blessed by the music gods if you?ve been lucky enough to attend a U2 concert. But for those of us who haven?t, the next U2 tour can?t come soon enough. From recent news, I?d say our own U2 religious experience is right around the corner.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, is not the greatest place for concerts but it's where I?m from nonetheless. The last time U2 came to Tulsa was in the 1980s. On April 4, 1981, during the ?Boy? tour, U2 played a small club known as The Caines Ballroom. The Caines is a great venue for bands just starting out like U2 was at the time, or for bands who have slowly declined with the years. Recent artists to play The Caines have included Bob Dylan and Hanson.
The Caines Ballroom recently underwent major reconstruction, and boy did it need it. The ceiling inside used to be so low that when fans got hyped up and would crowd surf they would hit their head on it and knock themselves out cold. This could definitely put a damper on the whole concert going experience.
As U2 gained popularity, their tours grew bigger. In June 1983 the "War" tour stopped in Tulsa. This time the band played at ?The Old Lady of Brady,? or The Brady Theater as it?s more commonly known. Set in downtown Tulsa, the Brady has played host to many off-Broadway shows, and even a few boy bands then and again. Having been to the Brady numerous times, I know it must have been awesome when U2 played there.
The theater consists of around 2,000 seats with balconies that surround and overlook the stage. Honestly, there are no bad seats whatsoever at the Brady, if you had balcony seats you are just as close, if not closer, to the stage as those seated on the floor. Although U2 could pack bigger venues than the Brady Theater, I can say without a doubt that if they were to do another concert there, it would truly be out of this world.
There is no shortage of big concert halls here either. We have the ORU Mabee Center and the Tulsa Convention Center, both of which can hold well over 8,000 people. There is also the Tulsa Performing Arts Center which can seat 2,365, so it?s not like there?s no place for U2 to perform in Tulsa. They could even follow Garth Brooks' example and play the local baseball stadium.
Tulsa is a lovely city in need of some U2 action. There are plenty of attractions, restaurants, bars and hotels, so we could definitely accommodate the band. Or, shoot, they could even stay at my house for a couple of days if they wanted, I?m sure the ol? family wouldn?t mind.
The next big concert we have coming to town is Cher. From what I?ve seen her shows are an absolute blast (including, ironically, a performance of U2?s ?I Still Haven?t Found What I?m Looking For? as a show opener). If someone as famous as Cher can come to Tulsa, why not U2?
So, will U2 come through Oklahoma on their next tour and save my Bono-loving soul? Or will I and countless others have to pack our bags and go on numerous (and expensive) road trips throughout the country in search of our favorite band? Either way U2?s upcoming tour is sure to be incredible. They?ve never come up short in the touring department and with such awe-inspiring talent, they never will.
2004.08
As fans, we?re full of suggestions for what U2 should do next ?producers to work with, singles to release, venues that must be played at. This is your chance to present those opinions. Who knows who might be out there reading it?
When U2 goes on tour the feeling can only be described as electric. Shockwaves spread amongst fans as tickets sell out in minutes. You?ve been blessed by the music gods if you?ve been lucky enough to attend a U2 concert. But for those of us who haven?t, the next U2 tour can?t come soon enough. From recent news, I?d say our own U2 religious experience is right around the corner.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, is not the greatest place for concerts but it's where I?m from nonetheless. The last time U2 came to Tulsa was in the 1980s. On April 4, 1981, during the ?Boy? tour, U2 played a small club known as The Caines Ballroom. The Caines is a great venue for bands just starting out like U2 was at the time, or for bands who have slowly declined with the years. Recent artists to play The Caines have included Bob Dylan and Hanson.
The Caines Ballroom recently underwent major reconstruction, and boy did it need it. The ceiling inside used to be so low that when fans got hyped up and would crowd surf they would hit their head on it and knock themselves out cold. This could definitely put a damper on the whole concert going experience.
As U2 gained popularity, their tours grew bigger. In June 1983 the "War" tour stopped in Tulsa. This time the band played at ?The Old Lady of Brady,? or The Brady Theater as it?s more commonly known. Set in downtown Tulsa, the Brady has played host to many off-Broadway shows, and even a few boy bands then and again. Having been to the Brady numerous times, I know it must have been awesome when U2 played there.
The theater consists of around 2,000 seats with balconies that surround and overlook the stage. Honestly, there are no bad seats whatsoever at the Brady, if you had balcony seats you are just as close, if not closer, to the stage as those seated on the floor. Although U2 could pack bigger venues than the Brady Theater, I can say without a doubt that if they were to do another concert there, it would truly be out of this world.
There is no shortage of big concert halls here either. We have the ORU Mabee Center and the Tulsa Convention Center, both of which can hold well over 8,000 people. There is also the Tulsa Performing Arts Center which can seat 2,365, so it?s not like there?s no place for U2 to perform in Tulsa. They could even follow Garth Brooks' example and play the local baseball stadium.
Tulsa is a lovely city in need of some U2 action. There are plenty of attractions, restaurants, bars and hotels, so we could definitely accommodate the band. Or, shoot, they could even stay at my house for a couple of days if they wanted, I?m sure the ol? family wouldn?t mind.
The next big concert we have coming to town is Cher. From what I?ve seen her shows are an absolute blast (including, ironically, a performance of U2?s ?I Still Haven?t Found What I?m Looking For? as a show opener). If someone as famous as Cher can come to Tulsa, why not U2?
So, will U2 come through Oklahoma on their next tour and save my Bono-loving soul? Or will I and countless others have to pack our bags and go on numerous (and expensive) road trips throughout the country in search of our favorite band? Either way U2?s upcoming tour is sure to be incredible. They?ve never come up short in the touring department and with such awe-inspiring talent, they never will.
