They just need to make more of the intro to 'Boots' imo. More ZooTv like - more of a build up. Then straight into something like IWF to keep the momentum up. For the majority in the crowd last years shows didn't really seem to 'kick off' until B Day.
Exactly!
They need to get something that people will know up front.
It is possible to like U2 and not be as committed as we are. I know that fact sucks, but it is a fact.
They either need a spectacular visual/sound buildup that makes full use of the claw, or a classic rock type "get the hell out on stage and lets rock it" opener.
I will walk each scenario down to the song that first got most people going in 2009, Beautiful Day.
Then, from there, who knows, we'll let the guys who get the big bucks decide!
Spectacular visual
Devil Inside by INXS blasted through the PA.
Cut all the lights at the end of it, stay dark for a few seconds.
A long video and a bunch of light effects on the claw.(maybe a journey through space and time theme to get to wherever the spaceship has landed)
-At the end use the digital clock that ran through the 360 leg 1 and 2 shows to count down to "lift off."
-Use the explosion effect at the beginning of the Zoo TV performances of Until The End of The World:
YouTube - U2 - Until The End Of The World & New Year's Day (ZOO TV Live From Sydney)(HIGH QUALITY)
(an aside, damn, ZOO TV was fuckin awesome!!!)
-Supplement it with real fireworks shooting out of the top of the claw!
-Simultaneously shoot off a couple "Daddy's...Crashed Car" concussion blasts.
-This distracts all but those who are adamantly looking for the guys from seeing them hit the stage in the dark.
-Wind up that siren intro to "Until The End of the World" and rip in balls to the walls!
-What beats this? Some of the kids there who think U2 are some quiet Coldplay type soft rock band will quickly realize about 50 decibels set the 2 bands apart! Come on, U2, time to be blow away loud at the beginning again just like War, Zoo Tv and Popmart. Your opening the biggest concert ever to play in the venue most likely, so crank it up!!
Until The End of The World
No Line On The Horizon
Desire
Magnificent
Beautiful Day
Classic Rock Type Opening:
Start Me Up by the Stones or something similar playing over the PA.
-Cut the lights.
-Larry walks up and starts Desire just like Breathe.
-The others join in, Bono hits the stage and they start the main riff.
-Play Lovetown type Desire with some snippets(rock and roll star even, no need to reinvent the wheel).
Desire
No Line On The Horizon
Magnificent
In God's Country
Still Haven't Found
Beautiful Day