I know it isn't always the most popular opinion to be super positive, but based on what I have seen these last two shows on the amazing, wonderful 21st century technology (hey, folks...if you are periscoping or youtubing, just turn down the brightness of your screen and make sure your flashlight isn't on spotlight mode? I really think all the furor about people having their phones out at concerts is because of the people who don't consider the experience of others and blind people with their screens or hold them up above their head in the line of sight), this is a really special show.
Shit...I thought it was pretty mind-blowing when ASOH was in the setlist around other warhorses. When I heard them start chiming Bad last night, I went a little crazy.
I have them on the 20th in the Rose Bowl (and the 21st if I can talk my wife, who is a fan but not a fanatic, into it) and I am just hoping to all hope that they don't move off of that, that a tepid response to the sing along in ASOH the first night didn't doom it as soon as the band finds a suitable replacement (like seeing how Bad fit). That little Wide Awake in Seattle moment would make the show for me if repeated in Pasadena.
I might be in the minority in being very into the rework of Red Hill...I like the RSD version OK, and enjoyed having a new way to listen to a favorite song, understanding Bono can't go after that chorus and survive a tour. But this rework in the 2 shows thus far has been really like a discovery of a new song. I knew I was never going to get the original RHMT, but I got a new version that I would have loved had it been on the album.
I am happy I am catching this tour early. I'd rather have some lyric flubs and some growing pains on the rare songs than catch them late when Bono is throatcoating to save the show and the songs become old hat. I'd rather catch them straining to play these new old tunes than be dialed in and not excited to play them.