I predict a riot in this thread... but commense...
The Vertigo tour was probably U2's biggest back to the basics tour, with the technology that they wanted to do since the days of ZOOTV and POPMART. The material on 'Bomb' was and still is strong, showing a matured U2, but still knew how to kick it strong.
What was the best of the Vertigo tour? Aside from 'Where The Streets Have No Name' and 40, here is what I believe to be the best;
-=-=-=-=[BEST BITS OF THE VERTIGO TOUR]=-=-=-=-
1. Opening with "City Of Blinding Lights" in American legs. Because just Vertigo alone opening seems to be boring, COBL seemed to bring that magic, and excitment back, that U2 had lost since they didn't open with "Where The Streets Have No Name" after Lovetown.
2. Zoo Station / The Fly / Mysterious Ways / Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses / Until The End Of The World -- perhaps the most played Achtung, Baby material since ZOO TV itself. Zoo Station was an immerse surprise to concert goers, and amazed even the most hardcore of fans, who dared to even imagine it'd be performed fully again.
3. The Electric Co / An Cat Dubh - Into The Heart / Gloria / The Ocean -- Classic songs from U2's vintage years, destined never to see the light of day ever again. As U2 played them, they showed signs of a band not aging, but remerging with a strong sense of confidence.
4. Discotheque -- perhaps the song that U2 wanted to perform, but was afraid to during Elevation, due to poor reception. U2 played Discotheque 2 times, and both times they were excellent versions. A revamped version of Discotheque made fans ponder, if Pop material was ever to be heard from again. But perhaps U2 was taking a cue from the Killers, and Bravery? Discotheque was performed more as a funk dance rock, rather than electronic and it sounded fresh and sounded like the future.
5. Miss Sarajevo / Running To Standstill -- perhaps the songs that we'd never see ever again. RTSS was a common staple from 1987 until 1993. Fans wanted RTSS to return, but never thought it'd be paired with Bullet, as it had in the past, but alas it had been. But perhaps, the biggest surprise than RTSS, was Miss Sarajevo, given the times we live in, it's a lullaby and a moving message. And let's not forget... Bono singing opera? Easily, if not, the best moment of the tour.
6. Reaching more of the world, since 1993 and 1998. Let's face it, who would hate to wait 8 years to see a concert? I know I wouldn't... and many places got to see U2 perform again. Japan, Brussels, Milan, just a few of the places that got to see, and will see U2. By the time U2 is done, they will have been to almost every place on earth, (or is that, Last Night On Earth?)
-=-=-=-=[CONS OF THE VERTIGO TOUR]=-=-=-=-
1. No Solid closer -- a constant problem, but makes for a good guessing game, and can piss off anyone. It feels much like the POPMART tour, we've seen our share of closers, such songs as Vertigo, Bad, With Or Without You, 40, All I Want Is You -- yet not a single one could stay as the closer. Maybe perhaps this is the reason why U2 chose Vertigo again, had they found themselves in a fickle?
2. Transitions... Most arguably, amongst all U2 fans, is the transition of Pride into Where The Streets Have No Name -- comparitively weak, and lacks that punch, or emotional thrust you crave. With Bad, during the Elevation tour, Streets reached a new height, and to this day, Streets live from Boston 01 is considered the best Streets to date.
3. Poor reception to older songs. Come on, people standing still during Electric Co? You know U2 wrote these songs... don't you? It's off an album called BOY, yeah it had I Will Follow, but it also had great songs on it to, maybe you should have spent that $50 instead of tickets and bought the first three albums.
4. Rambling, and Africa. Forgive me, but while Bono talks about the conditions in Africa, others, including members of the band check their pulse. Though it's passionate, it may not be the right place for it, but advertising pays in America. Bono said those exact words in 2001. And what was up with all the African flags during Streets? Perhaps the next tour will feature red, house lights and a new surprise to it.
5. Songs that were cut up, to be performed live. Miracle Drug, Yahweh, Original Of The Species -- these songs still haven't been figured out how to be played live correctly. Miracle Drug feels rushed, but has a lot of potential. Yahweh would have been the closer for this tour, but instead found an acoustic path, and Original still hasn't been played the band wants it to. They'll get it right next tour.
6. Soundchecked songs, but never performed... or rarely. Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, MOFO, Crumbs From Your Table, Spanish Eyes, Love Is Blindness, One Step Closer -- all great songs. MOFO was the most spectulated song, that many fans wanted to see performed, but never found its way. Crumbs was performed a few single number of times, I was fortunate to see the song. Spanish Eyes was rehearsed for Spain, but cut. Love Is Blindness was due for a full performance in Buenos Aires. One Step Closer was rehearsed in Toronto before the tour began.
So there you have it, 12 points about the Vertigo tour, you may agree and disagree with me.
The Vertigo tour was probably U2's biggest back to the basics tour, with the technology that they wanted to do since the days of ZOOTV and POPMART. The material on 'Bomb' was and still is strong, showing a matured U2, but still knew how to kick it strong.
What was the best of the Vertigo tour? Aside from 'Where The Streets Have No Name' and 40, here is what I believe to be the best;
-=-=-=-=[BEST BITS OF THE VERTIGO TOUR]=-=-=-=-
1. Opening with "City Of Blinding Lights" in American legs. Because just Vertigo alone opening seems to be boring, COBL seemed to bring that magic, and excitment back, that U2 had lost since they didn't open with "Where The Streets Have No Name" after Lovetown.
2. Zoo Station / The Fly / Mysterious Ways / Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses / Until The End Of The World -- perhaps the most played Achtung, Baby material since ZOO TV itself. Zoo Station was an immerse surprise to concert goers, and amazed even the most hardcore of fans, who dared to even imagine it'd be performed fully again.
3. The Electric Co / An Cat Dubh - Into The Heart / Gloria / The Ocean -- Classic songs from U2's vintage years, destined never to see the light of day ever again. As U2 played them, they showed signs of a band not aging, but remerging with a strong sense of confidence.
4. Discotheque -- perhaps the song that U2 wanted to perform, but was afraid to during Elevation, due to poor reception. U2 played Discotheque 2 times, and both times they were excellent versions. A revamped version of Discotheque made fans ponder, if Pop material was ever to be heard from again. But perhaps U2 was taking a cue from the Killers, and Bravery? Discotheque was performed more as a funk dance rock, rather than electronic and it sounded fresh and sounded like the future.
5. Miss Sarajevo / Running To Standstill -- perhaps the songs that we'd never see ever again. RTSS was a common staple from 1987 until 1993. Fans wanted RTSS to return, but never thought it'd be paired with Bullet, as it had in the past, but alas it had been. But perhaps, the biggest surprise than RTSS, was Miss Sarajevo, given the times we live in, it's a lullaby and a moving message. And let's not forget... Bono singing opera? Easily, if not, the best moment of the tour.
6. Reaching more of the world, since 1993 and 1998. Let's face it, who would hate to wait 8 years to see a concert? I know I wouldn't... and many places got to see U2 perform again. Japan, Brussels, Milan, just a few of the places that got to see, and will see U2. By the time U2 is done, they will have been to almost every place on earth, (or is that, Last Night On Earth?)
-=-=-=-=[CONS OF THE VERTIGO TOUR]=-=-=-=-
1. No Solid closer -- a constant problem, but makes for a good guessing game, and can piss off anyone. It feels much like the POPMART tour, we've seen our share of closers, such songs as Vertigo, Bad, With Or Without You, 40, All I Want Is You -- yet not a single one could stay as the closer. Maybe perhaps this is the reason why U2 chose Vertigo again, had they found themselves in a fickle?
2. Transitions... Most arguably, amongst all U2 fans, is the transition of Pride into Where The Streets Have No Name -- comparitively weak, and lacks that punch, or emotional thrust you crave. With Bad, during the Elevation tour, Streets reached a new height, and to this day, Streets live from Boston 01 is considered the best Streets to date.
3. Poor reception to older songs. Come on, people standing still during Electric Co? You know U2 wrote these songs... don't you? It's off an album called BOY, yeah it had I Will Follow, but it also had great songs on it to, maybe you should have spent that $50 instead of tickets and bought the first three albums.
4. Rambling, and Africa. Forgive me, but while Bono talks about the conditions in Africa, others, including members of the band check their pulse. Though it's passionate, it may not be the right place for it, but advertising pays in America. Bono said those exact words in 2001. And what was up with all the African flags during Streets? Perhaps the next tour will feature red, house lights and a new surprise to it.
5. Songs that were cut up, to be performed live. Miracle Drug, Yahweh, Original Of The Species -- these songs still haven't been figured out how to be played live correctly. Miracle Drug feels rushed, but has a lot of potential. Yahweh would have been the closer for this tour, but instead found an acoustic path, and Original still hasn't been played the band wants it to. They'll get it right next tour.
6. Soundchecked songs, but never performed... or rarely. Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, MOFO, Crumbs From Your Table, Spanish Eyes, Love Is Blindness, One Step Closer -- all great songs. MOFO was the most spectulated song, that many fans wanted to see performed, but never found its way. Crumbs was performed a few single number of times, I was fortunate to see the song. Spanish Eyes was rehearsed for Spain, but cut. Love Is Blindness was due for a full performance in Buenos Aires. One Step Closer was rehearsed in Toronto before the tour began.
So there you have it, 12 points about the Vertigo tour, you may agree and disagree with me.
)
I'm not sure which Vertigo shows you attended but the crowd was into Electric Co at most of the shows I was at. The old song that was cool that I thought killed the momentum and the crowd was An Cat Dubh. Love the song, but it didnt work in the setlist and a slow song 80% of the crowd isnt familiar with will kill any momentum the show has. 
, just because they done a quick snippet ala love rescue me in brazil, means nothing
