If you're like me, you've been trying to squeeze as much as possible out of a fast disappearing summer and have been immersed in the Blackout the last few days while doing it. JT's 3rd and final leg crept up on us and it's time to start speculating what we'll see in Detroit and beyond.
Act 1- Pre Joshua Tree
I don't see this changing much in terms of length or what is played. We already know from interviews that 4 songs is as long as they wanted the "ants on a stage," no effects part of the show to last. I think SBS is an excellent opener and the first legs have seen the best performances of it since 1987. NYD, Bad and Pride have to be there if you're telling the story of how U2 got from their early days to JT. I'd like to see ASOH make some appearances but don't think that will happen until we get to Latin America and multiple nights in the same city.
I think if we get a curve ball here, it will be MLK coming back in or them deciding I Will Follow or Out of Control could work in act 1. They can't get too deep into the 1980-1984 catalog here- as the stated intent of the set is to highlight U2's progression to JT.
Act 2- The Joshua Tree
Self explanatory.
Act 3- Post Joshua Tree/politically themed commentary
This is obviously where we have the most potential for things to get shaken up. Do they decide to really kick the promotional machine into high gear and do Blackout, Little Things and Best Thing every night? Or play a different one of the three each night? If this happens, what gets the boot? The most likely candidate I'd say is Elevation. I think how much new material we see will depend on two things. First and most obvious is how much they want to look forward and promote SOE. Second is how set in stone they view the refugee-women's rights themes as represented in Miss Sarajevo and Ultraviolet. If either song is viewed as expendable, then that frees up more room for SOE.
It's extremely unlikely BD, Vertigo or One go anywhere.
Mysterious Ways is a wild card. Either they think it's expendable because it's missed very little since Zoo TV or they think it's been underplayed because it hasn't been a staple on JT 30 as of yet.
Does anything get thrown in that we haven't seen yet? If IWF can get tacked on sometimes, I don't see why OOC or Gloria can't. The band's love for Stay is well known. ATYCLB is also looked upon very favorably. Walk On would fit after Little Things. Kite would always be a welcome addition. Same for throwing in 40 as the closer.
I'd love to see this or something similar:
Blackout
Vertigo
Beautiful Day
Mysterious Ways
Kite
Ultraviolet
One
40
Ultimately, I don't think much can change but looking at legs 1 and 2, the most evolution has happened here so who knows?
Act 1- Pre Joshua Tree
I don't see this changing much in terms of length or what is played. We already know from interviews that 4 songs is as long as they wanted the "ants on a stage," no effects part of the show to last. I think SBS is an excellent opener and the first legs have seen the best performances of it since 1987. NYD, Bad and Pride have to be there if you're telling the story of how U2 got from their early days to JT. I'd like to see ASOH make some appearances but don't think that will happen until we get to Latin America and multiple nights in the same city.
I think if we get a curve ball here, it will be MLK coming back in or them deciding I Will Follow or Out of Control could work in act 1. They can't get too deep into the 1980-1984 catalog here- as the stated intent of the set is to highlight U2's progression to JT.
Act 2- The Joshua Tree
Self explanatory.
Act 3- Post Joshua Tree/politically themed commentary
This is obviously where we have the most potential for things to get shaken up. Do they decide to really kick the promotional machine into high gear and do Blackout, Little Things and Best Thing every night? Or play a different one of the three each night? If this happens, what gets the boot? The most likely candidate I'd say is Elevation. I think how much new material we see will depend on two things. First and most obvious is how much they want to look forward and promote SOE. Second is how set in stone they view the refugee-women's rights themes as represented in Miss Sarajevo and Ultraviolet. If either song is viewed as expendable, then that frees up more room for SOE.
It's extremely unlikely BD, Vertigo or One go anywhere.
Mysterious Ways is a wild card. Either they think it's expendable because it's missed very little since Zoo TV or they think it's been underplayed because it hasn't been a staple on JT 30 as of yet.
Does anything get thrown in that we haven't seen yet? If IWF can get tacked on sometimes, I don't see why OOC or Gloria can't. The band's love for Stay is well known. ATYCLB is also looked upon very favorably. Walk On would fit after Little Things. Kite would always be a welcome addition. Same for throwing in 40 as the closer.
I'd love to see this or something similar:
Blackout
Vertigo
Beautiful Day
Mysterious Ways
Kite
Ultraviolet
One
40
Ultimately, I don't think much can change but looking at legs 1 and 2, the most evolution has happened here so who knows?
