Ok been offline for nearly two weeks….so I’m busy catching up on the news, the photos and now I’m finally getting to post on some threads.
Trance Ending and I decided to go to Sydney III after getting caught up with the excitement of our first Setlist party thread(Brisbane) ……hmmm bit of an impulse decision…it scares me to think what may happen at another set list party!!!!!
We flew in from Melbourne about 11am, I was slightly dazed and confused from serious sleep deprivation over that w/end. I think this may have effected my behaviour at the show, my god most of it is a blur I felt like I was almost possessed so I apologise if I was the one who blocked your view from being a mad woman, or if I screamed/ yelled/sung in your ear, stood on your toes, banged into you. U2 Live have this very strange effect on me and I just can't seem to control it...AT ALL.
So in brief, entered the stadium – totally spun out by the fact that I was in the stadium that hosted the Olympics……then I see the stage set up and it just freaks me out. I’ve not been to such a huge show like this for a hell of a long time and the moment just took hold of me. So I’m hearing the security say “no running or you are out ” so TE and I start “power walking” to the stage, we are rewarded on the Edge’s side near the corner of the runway. I could not of wished for a more perfect location…...THEN the worst GA scenario happens…. just before Kayne comes on I’m desperate for the loo. So I plead with the people around me who we have become quite friendly with – help me get back to this position. True to their word these beautiful people kinda got me back to my position with just a teenage boy and his sister nicking my original spot – I’m slightly mad with myself but figure they are smaller than me so I still had a good spot.
So finally onto the show (sorry I do tend to ramble)….Kanye comes on……I remember a thread asking us all to give Kanye a bit of a chance…so I do…my mind is slightly elsewhere but I do honestly kinda listen and clap at the appropriate places.
Finally U2….oh my freakin’ god…I had no idea how I would react when they came on stage. I’ve been a fan of this band for nearly 23 years, I do have a reputation (amongst those that know me) of slightly going insane at their shows and this has been an eight year wait for me. I hear Arcade Fire and I’m literally jumping up and down with excitement….I don’t know what happened but I just completely freakin’ lost it when I heard COBL….I became a teenage all over again!!!! So Vertigo follows……then elevation… I distinctly remember at this point yelling out aloud “ oh my god you are gonna f******g kill me” (with excitement but i just never got that word out) ….the teenage boy in front of me turns around and gives me a glare of “you’re one crazy woman” and do you know what it gives me that much needed energy to keep going…..I hear I will follow and I look over at TE and we both have the hugest grins on our faces...…..oh then my dear dear fave New Years Day is played …at this point I feel that if I die from to much excitement then at least I will die happy. ….beautiful day follows………oh and the rest...well you must all know the setlists by now....
Highlights for Sydney III… because I’m ramblin’ now
* Those first seven songs…..f****** awesome, that’s all I say, absolutely amazing. I could not of dreamed up a better beginning even if i tried.
* Loved SBS...esp bringing the little boy out on stage. This sounded so fresh live….despite NYD being a firm fave of mine live it paled in comparison with SBS live. Oh god, I'll live to regret saying this but i think NYD sounded a bit tired and worn (more so at Melbourne I) .....oh god i'll be cursed for this and probably will never ever hear it live again....!!!
*Streets - still as magic as ever live
* Miss Sarejevo - Bono...wow...you left me gobsmacked!!!
* Party Girl – Bono I totally forgive you for your stuff up – it was hilarious . The sheer fact you gave us a little bit was enough to satisfy me.
* The Saints – not a huge fan of the studio version but god it ROCKS live...who needs Greenday its U2 all the way for me
* Kite – oh what an ending ...just beautiful.
Other highlights
* The little girls with the “Larry Mullen Band” t-shirts…how cute were you all!!! I hope you remember your moment on stage with Bono.....what a moment.
*The Mexican wave – just loved it...Thank you Sydney audience you were just amazing.
* the two lovely Austrian tourists at the side of me who despite not knowing a lot of the songs just totally went crazy. You are closet die hard U2 fans I’m sure of it…you just rocked.
*The woman at the left front of the stage (in the middle section) with the signs “I love dirty roadies’ “will you belly dance with me” ……oh god I loved your signs….they were hilarious.
In all...I have to say, for the sheer atmosphere or was it just being caught up in the sheer madness of the moment…… I have to say this is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen them do. U2 just looked so happy, so fresh, so living the moment....what a show.
Saying that Melbourne II won me over days later as the best show of the ones i saw. I still stay true though that this sydney show was unbelievable.