October 9, 2009 - U2 Concert - Raymond James Center Tampa - FL

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my review

the show was awesome.

I just wanna announce that anyone who had a regular GA ticket and stood in the (RED) Zone gate is a monolithic douchebag. These fools didn't show up til 4, and they got to claim their spots sooner than the GAers who queued up all day in the sun. This is because the RZ gates were right by the stage, so they were right there, as opposed to having to walk the length of the field like the other GAers did. I didn't realize that these gates were not restricted to RZ. I hope it was just due to a misunderstanding, and that this has not been going on for other shows.

That's fucked up.
 
luckily the staff had lots of water for us :)

Hope you guys enjoy!

I think that came courtesy of my Aussie friend and me at the front of the line. Security held the cooler and she and I just kept pouring water and passing it back. We must have filled about 100 cups....and then didn't save any for ourselves. Someone from the tour crew gave me a bottle of water though some point after that. Not sure why, but thanks. Must've looked like I needed it.

It was nice meeting you animeav and thanks for the oatmeal cookie :D
 
I generally avoid PLEBA, but I'm not going to tell you not to take them. :whistle:
I've actually got a few more. I'd link my facebook album, but there are some personal pictures there that I'm sure my friends wouldn't appreciate being passed around.
Maybe I'll post more at my blog and then link it here to get around the 12 image limit. :hmm:

Oh please do! :hyper:
 
the show was awesome.

I just wanna announce that anyone who had a regular GA ticket and stood in the (RED) Zone gate is a monolithic douchebag. These fools didn't show up til 4, and they got to claim their spots sooner than the GAers who queued up all day in the sun. This is because the RZ gates were right by the stage, so they were right there, as opposed to having to walk the length of the field like the other GAers did. I didn't realize that these gates were not restricted to RZ. I hope it was just due to a misunderstanding, and that this has not been going on for other shows.

That's fucked up.
I noticed quite a few Red Zoners coming into our area about 10 minutes before Muse came on stage. They're douchebags too, even though they were probably allowed to go wherever they wanted. There was absolutely no room to move around during Muse's set, presumably because people were still trying to cram into the middle. I'm glad I went with Edge fans because to my right it was extremely packed.
I also wanted to punch a woman in the face for asking me "SERIOUSLY?" when I was trying to get back to my spot after leaving to buy foodage and refreshments. She was demanding to know if I had a spot already. I don't have to answer to you, woman. As got_edge said the next day, "Sure I have a spot. A spot on your face and my fist is going to be there if you don't move the fuck over."
 
I hope it was just due to a misunderstanding, and that this has not been going on for other shows.

In DC, security was yelling out "Red Zone and Suites only" at the designated entrance. Va. was enforcing it too I believe.

I noticed quite a few Red Zoners coming into our area about 10 minutes before Muse came on stage.

The prime spots were probably taken by then. I went in from RZ after Muse in DC, and got a decent spot on Edge's side/front in a relatively sparse area. I moved back to RZ later in the show.
 
He was in the back by the drums, and put down what he had in his hands, went over to the keyboard or drum set (I wasn't sure) and tore tape off a paper. He brought it over, folded it up, and called a security guard over. By that time, 10 fans or so had seen it, trying to ask him for it. He told the guard "Give it to that gentleman right there. He's a great fan" and he pointed directly to me. :drool: I told him thank you and I nearly freaked out. It was the one thing I wanted most from the concert to always remember it. And it was one of the on stage ones too, making it even sweeter. I left the concert that night..and I felt as if it was the greatest night of my life, and I think it will be that way for a long time.

Awesome....I'm totally feeling your excitement.
 
The wait outside was horrible. Due to the extreme heat, I nearly passed out several times in line at the field entrance. If fans hadn't sacrificed their H20, I would probably be in the hospital right now instead of typing this. I've never considered myself a U2 fanatic until this show. I would have rather died than miss out on that concert though. :lol:

My stubborn attitude paid off in the end. For most of the show, we were front row on Adam's side. The couple directly in front of us shared their front row placement with us. :hug:

The entire show was amazing, but my most emotional moments happened with "Amazing Grace" and "Moment of Surrender." Amazing Grace was my father's favorite song. He passed away last month, so it was performed at his funeral mass. I dropped to my knees in tears when Bono started singing that song. Later on, "Moment of Surrender" put me on my knees again. It was equal parts sadness of Dad's passing, and gladness of the end to his suffering.

This will be our last GA placement though. I'm not being over dramatic when I say I felt like dying in the Tampa heat. Being front row at two U2 shows, aka VERTIGO and 360, are enough for us. We'll either get the super expensive seats or the nose bleeds next time.
 
The wait outside was horrible. Due to the extreme heat, I nearly passed out several times in line at the field entrance. If fans hadn't sacrificed their H20, I would probably be in the hospital right now instead of typing this. I've never considered myself a U2 fanatic until this show. I would have rather died than miss out on that concert though. :lol:

My stubborn attitude paid off in the end. For most of the show, we were front row on Adam's side. The couple directly in front of us shared their front row placement with us. :hug:

The entire show was amazing, but my most emotional moments happened with "Amazing Grace" and "Moment of Surrender." Amazing Grace was my father's favorite song. He passed away last month, so it was performed at his funeral mass. I dropped to my knees in tears when Bono started singing that song. Later on, "Moment of Surrender" put me on my knees again. It was equal parts sadness of Dad's passing, and gladness of the end to his suffering.

This will be our last GA placement though. I'm not being over dramatic when I say I felt like dying in the Tampa heat. Being front row at two U2 shows, aka VERTIGO and 360, are enough for us. We'll either get the super expensive seats or the nose bleeds next time.

I'm right there with you, RR. I did GA at the Elevation and Vertigo shows in NYC and in Tampa, and I didn't have as much fun as I've had in the stands at other shows. I agree with you about Amazing Grace. Here are some pics we got from section 108, right above the floor:

Nathan Maxfield's Photos - U2 360 Tour | Facebook
 
I got there at about 5am, and I met up with BonosBaby12. She was around 70 something in line, and I was 83...at 5am. WTF? People were there at like 5pm the day before...that's rough haha. But I met her, and another interferencer who doesn't post on here much, but she was from Canada, and very excited about the Poetic Social Mission that night :)

Hi animeavalanche! It was great meeting you and Bonobaby12! I'm back now in my cold Canada and it feels so good!!!

You wrote a great review! I am so glad that everything worked so perfectly for you! Adam is great! always smiling and he's so cool when he interacts with fans! I also had a smile from Adam at one point during the show, it was really nice!

I was very lucky to get almost the exact middle on the outside rail. The sound was really good from there. It was also a great spot to cheer for Guy Laliberté's poetic mission!!!:applaud:
I had such a wonderful time at that show and I also had a lot of fun with the fans around us.

I agree with everybody - Dehydration was our worst enemy that day and I had that on my mind all day!!!
That was the toughest GA I've done so far. Security have placed the fans in a potentially dangerous situation for their health by queuing people that early in the sun without access to our precious GA stuff anymore (water, food, unbrellas, etc. ) I was later able to observe the result of this bad decision. Before and during the show a lot of fans about to collapse were pulled out of the crowd all around the catwalk. That was so sad.

Fortunately, I was able to manage my hydratation pretty well and thanks to my sister who got us right away 2 bottles of water before it got too crowded behind us!

No more shows planned for me. I'm now looking forward for a future leg!
 
I'm right there with you, RR. I did GA at the Elevation and Vertigo shows in NYC and in Tampa, and I didn't have as much fun as I've had in the stands at other shows. I agree with you about Amazing Grace. Here are some pics we got from section 108, right above the floor:

Nathan Maxfield's Photos - U2 360 Tour | Facebook

GREAT PICTURES!!!

We took more than 300 pictures, but haven't gotten them all uploaded online yet. Bono moved around so much it was almost impossible to get clear shots of him. We did get some though. The wife has a serious crush on Adam, so most of the pictures are of him.
 
I'm right there with you, RR. I did GA at the Elevation and Vertigo shows in NYC and in Tampa, and I didn't have as much fun as I've had in the stands at other shows. I agree with you about Amazing Grace. Here are some pics we got from section 108, right above the floor:

Nathan Maxfield's Photos - U2 360 Tour | Facebook

Very nice photos. Thanks for posting. I especially like the ones of the GA crowd; it's always hard to know how full it is back there when you're really close to the stage. Looks packed!
 
Went to the Tampa show after seeing such a great show in Raleigh. Wasn't much of a U2 fan before but I'm really addicted now. I went mainly for Muse and because my sister has loved U2 her whole life. We seen them on the popmart tour and I remember loving the show.
My 18 year old niece is already talking about seeing U2 on their next tour.

I put my pictures on flickr
U2 360 Tour - Tampa,FL - a set on Flickr
Most are of Adam but he was really the only one I could see not that I'm complaining. :drool:
and have some not so great videos on youtube. I hope I labeled the songs right.
YouTube - curehalo's Channel
 
Went to the Tampa show after seeing such a great show in Raleigh. Wasn't much of a U2 fan before but I'm really addicted now. I went mainly for Muse and because my sister has loved U2 her whole life. We seen them on the popmart tour and I remember loving the show.
My 18 year old niece is already talking about seeing U2 on their next tour.

I put my pictures on flickr
U2 360 Tour - Tampa,FL - a set on Flickr
Most are of Adam but he was really the only one I could see not that I'm complaining. :drool:
and have some not so great videos on youtube. I hope I labeled the songs right.
YouTube - curehalo's Channel


Welcome 2 Interference & 2 the madness that is U2 fandom. Ur boys, MUSE, TOTALLY won me over Fri nite.
 
I ended up with a VERY nice spot on the outer rail! Could have gone inside the inner circle but wanted a bit of room so stayed on the outside. During the show I had ALL of them playing right in front of me! :drool: :love: :hyper: This was my sister's first U2 concert and the look on her face was PRICELESS! She is already talking about the tour for next year :lol:

Hi!!!:wave: I'm glad you had a nice spot on the rail. You actually were not too far from us. I had a great time with the fan standing beside me. It also was his first U2 concert. That was so cool to see stars in his eyes after Bono went up close to us!!!
 
What a fantastic show.

First the heat. Yes it was as bad as everyone says. It was actually dangerous. I'm frankly surprised, and kind of mad, that the staff didn't have the line on the EAST side of the building in the shade. Or at least provide hosings and water and anything else. It was kind of irresponsible and they're lucky there weren't any serious heat strokes.

The show was awesome. We were GA and got almost right in front of the circular walk. There was a huge contingency of South American (Colombian) folks there! So if any of you are on here (or the English folks that went to the Wembley show) then hello again!

Muse was good, but when Space Oddity came on hooooooly shit the crowd went wild.

There were several assholes that kept trying to force their way to the front and most either turned away when the mob confronted them, or they got escorted out by security.

Except for one shirtless douche who actually started a fight RIGHT at the crescendo of the Crazy Remix which is my favorite part of the show :(. So that got ruined. Also the Edge was right in front of us and saw the whole thing. Luckily he was bum rushed by the crowd and force fed to security, but it put a 5 minute damper on the whole thing. Oh well.

Flickr: kilowattson's Photostream

There's a link to some of my photos from the event.

Really good show, but it just felt a little short.
 
Hi!!!:wave: I'm glad you had a nice spot on the rail. You actually were not too far from us. I had a great time with the fan standing beside me. It also was his first U2 concert. That was so cool to see stars in his eyes after Bono went up close to us!!!

No we weren't far from each other at all :). Tried to catch your attention but you were looking in another direction lol.

Awwww you were standing next to Taylor! Talked to him in the tunnel he was such a sweetheart :cute:. He had asked where the best place to stand would be. Glad he went with outer rail had told him that it would be the best place to stand. Seeing the look on my sister's face when the guy's played in front of her was priceless! Will always remember that moment.
 
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