The Fly - Boston vs. Chicago

[djerdap]

I'm really interested on this topic.
For me, the Vertigo versions of The Fly are amazing and by far the best live versions of the song.
So, Chicago takes the cake for me. Visually they are both fantastic, but I do prefer Chicago here as well, purely because all four seem like Rock Gods!

 

[KUEFC09U2]

very hard choice, i would say vertigo, but elevation is right up at the back of it

 

[Chizip]

Vertigo version is great, but I think I prefer the Boston Fly. I love the slow intro during the Elevation Tour, then it just kicks in hardcore. Bono sprints around the heart like 3 times, he jumps into the audience, he puts himself against the video wall, and the Edge rocks out hardcore.

I think the Boston Fly is nearly perfect

 

[OpperGoeroe]

Same here too, Boston Fly is probably one of my favorite performances ever, really love the slow intro, Bono looking back at the band at the first little break of the song, Bono sucking a hand of someone in the audience, Bono running around the heart, Bono jumps into the audience, Bono against the video wall and last but not least, Edge is really on fire on this song

But the Vertigo version is great too, but only musically, although I love Bono's cool looks on the Chicago DVD with his glasses and police-hat.

 

[Axver]

I far prefer Vertigo Fly; I consider it the definitive version of the song.

One question - why was this moved to the setlist forum? It's not about setlists ...

 

[MirrorballLemon]

I love both of them, and i cant decide on a clear favorite. the vertigo performance is awesome. Bono sings the song with such anger, and the visuals are simply breathtaking, and the way its captured on the dvd is awesome too. And Bono's plucking guitar part sounds awesome too

 

[JMScoopy]

Vertigo by far. The vertigo version is just so badass. Im a big fan of Bono's guitar playing, and he really kicks ass on this song. On my computer, if i switch to the 2nd audio language, his guitar is accually louder than Edges! At the end of the "it's no secret at all" he plays a totally badass riff. Also Edge's new Line 6 guitar sounds awesome and the extended solo at the end is great.

 

[1stepcloser]

Boston i think. just about. the intro is beautiful then it kicks in to the badass riff. edge's solo as well

the fly

 

[Aardvark747]

Boston. The intro is superb, as are the lights at the end and Bono splatting himself onto the screen!

 

[Mauwer]

Chicago Fly all the way

Cheers ,

Mauwer

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

i love the vertigo version of the fly... but... no... elevation version wins.

that slow intro... the first time you hear it you're not really sure what they're playing... and then the chorus kicks in and you're like wait a minute... is this the fly? and then the edge makes some noise that sounds like the air is being sucked out of the building and, to quote john madden, boom... they're rocking the shit out of the arena.

and i do enjoy bono actually running around the ellipse a hell of a lot more than him playing the guitar.

 

[The OOTS]

I like the Vertigo version, but I LOVE the Elevation version. I agree, to see Bono jump into the crowd, or run around the heart, or 'attach' himself to the elevation screens, was much more exciting.

 

[Roland of Gilead]

Boston for the sheer reinvention of the song. Chicago is great. I love it as well, but it is a little less "edgy." The closing solo in Boston is a fantastic rush that is omitted in the new take.

 

[DPrinceNY]

Why is this even a question? Boston THE FLY all the way!!! As many have mentioned that performance was just kick ass and Edge's guitar riff is so much better. That performance is the 2nd best performance on the Boston DVD (streets being first) and is not comparable to the Chicago version of the fly. Bono had so much more energy in the boston show then chicago.

The chicago version of the fly is nothing new, it was done the same way as the ZooTV show (if not better). The elevation tour version was something completely different and mindblowing.

 

[Bodnex]

Quick question, on the Boston DVD Bono seems to jump straight into the crowd. Does he, or is this just a camera trick? (like jumping just in front of the crowd). And if it's real, how the hell does he manage to get back out?!

 

[rock888nwo]

sooooo hard....for me, it's vertigo version....it's rocking, the visuals are great...just an all around great performance...boston is awesome too though

 

[JMScoopy]

The Fly on the Vertigo DVD is the most rocking version ever
The combo of Edge's new guitar parts and Bono's guitar being almost as loud make it the most rocking.

 

[DPrinceNY]

Quick question, on the Boston DVD Bono seems to jump straight into the crowd. Does he, or is this just a camera trick? (like jumping just in front of the crowd). And if it's real, how the hell does he manage to get back out?!

yeah i was wondering that too. how does he get out of the crowd?

 

[The OOTS]

He jumped into the crowd during an Elevation show in San Jose. Security basically opened up a spot for him to jump, caught him, and escorted him as he ran through the GA section to a floor exit on the side of the arena. From there, he made it back to the stage for encores.

On the Boston DVD it looks like a camera trick though.

 

[JulioArca]

The chicago version of the fly is nothing new, it was done the same way as the ZooTV show (if not better). The elevation tour version was something completely different and mindblowing. [/B]

Ermm, except that the drums are completely different...

 

[thelaj]

Vertigo Tour Screen + Boston Everything Else = Ultimate Fly

The beautiful shimmering opening, the badass guitar ( I am the ultimate badass Edge Guitar), Bono sprinting round, splatting himself on the screen. It is clearly the best thing on that DVD.

Imagine it on Vertigo Tour if he splatted himself on the screen, but was actually superimposed just like at Zoo Station on the left and right screen sections. But splatted H U G E. Man that would rock. And "gotta go" echoing round the stadium.

That would be the greatest moment of any U2 concert ever for me.

By the way, are there any good elevation mp3's of the fly, or is Boston the best?

 

[MumblingBono]

I will withhold judgement until I see it, but its hard to beat Bono running around the heart and sticking to the video wall - that was just way too freaking cool

 

[Iskra]

Boston.
No contest.
Vertigo version seems a little off to me.

 

[Iskra]

PS: I will NEVER as long as I live forget the moment.
It was opening night Elevation. I was 10 feet from Bono and he started singing and we had no clue then that riff went off.
The ENTIRE arena started pogoing.
It was unbelievable.
Soundboard version of that night in Miami is incredible. Listen to those little bass noises!

 

[discotech]

Boston 100%!!!! it's just amazing! the intro, the lights, the feel, all of them 100% fit the Elevation tour and were totally AMAZING.



that being said, the Vertigo tour version is one of the best songs of this tour

 

[Hallucination]

I have to side with the Boston Elevation version. I like the intro better plus not having Bono on guitar is way cooler. The Chicago Vertigo perfomance sounds great but the Elevation version is much more entertaining in my opinion. It's just better.

 

[JMScoopy]

I like the intro better plus not having Bono on guitar is way cooler.

Why's that?

 

[Hallucination]

Why's that?

Just because. When he's not "Playing" his guitar he's running around the stage which I find more entertaining. Bono running around durring the Fly on Elevation is far more entertaining than Bono standing there somewhat playing a guitar on vertigo. Just my opinion.

 

[Canadiens1131]

Hmm it's a very tough call. I'll do the very canadian thing of being undecided.

Best overall experience? ZooTV. Nothing, absolutley nothing, beats the random phrases flashing on the screens in unison, the shades, the man. What a fucking monster, right at the start of the show.

Musically? I really want to say Elevation but they prettied the song up. It's not a dirty-sounding song anymore, it's popped-up. Sounds like it was in a major key that time around. So barely barely barely taking my vote for being better musically is Vertigo's Fly. I'd recommend the Elevation arrangement if a band like The Killers was doing a cover of the song, however

When everything comes together in the Vertigo version, it's the better song. The funky intro, when Edge gets the guitar looping right and is playing over it, the solo, the way the synth comes in to compliment the solo...

Here's a good version from Vertigo....
http://save file.com/files.php?fid=2201179

 

[JMScoopy]

Just because. When he's not "Playing" his guitar he's running around the stage which I find more entertaining. Bono running around durring the Fly on Elevation is far more entertaining than Bono standing there somewhat playing a guitar on vertigo. Just my opinion.

I really don't understand this, maybe it's cause i play guitar. Bono's guitar adds a lot more to the songs live. Would you rather hear a backing track, or Bono playing guitar. The Fly was meant to be played with 2 guitars, and i dont see whats so entertaning about running around the stage. If i wanted to see someone run around in circles, i'd go to a baseball game, not a rock concert. Also, it should be based on how the song sounds, rather than how U2 looks playing it. Thats like saying "the ZooTV version of streets is better than vertigo tour becase the vertigo tour doesnt have the red background." Rock concerts are about guitars, and there should be more Bono on guitar on tour.