Finally saw the tour last week - NY I & II - so things are a bit more concrete for me now.
During the TONS of down time at both shows, i.e. YBR, NLOTH, TUF (sadly), UC, Walk On, MLK (to only name a few) I tried an experiment and did what others on this board suggested- look around at the crowd and try to determine who are the hardcore types who clamor for Acrobat, RHMT, 11 O'Clock, Exit, etc. - in other words, us. It was really eye opening. I would estimate that people who even HEARD of those songs made up only about 20% of the audience at most. I would say 80% of people all around me - section 320 for NY I and section 130 for NY II - could not have cared less about anything other than the warhorses. I of course don't just base this on how people looked- I based it on body language and behavior during the songs. Both of my sections emptied out by 75% during YBR, Stay, and UC. Others spent the majority of time sitting, chatting and texting, seemingly uninterested in large chunks of both shows. It is easier to explain the section 320 upper deck folks. But the section 130 (edge's side, lower ring) were sitting in $100-$500 seats depending on source of ticket and the impression I got was that they couldn't care less!
To the folks on the floor at the shows, and those true fans on this board, I salute you and I hope you have and continue to have great times at the shows. But this experience drove home to me how much in the minority we are, at least at the Giants Stadium shows.
And MOS is a great song, but it was awfully depressing watching thousands and thousands of people starting to stream out of the stadium during the middle of WOWY both nights. I actually witnessed a brief fight break out as fans bottle-necked the section exit. MOS may be a great closer to a small minority of hardcore fans, but the masses who attend the shows and give U2 a great life neither know it nor care about it whatsoever.
I wonder if the band is aware of the dynamic in the audience during different songs? Do they employ folks to monitor the crowd responses who are actually part of the crowd during the show? Because there is room for alot of improvement - I loved both shows, but I found myself a little depressed by crowd reaction during certain parts, especially the end. It really makes me think that Streets or Bad or even a well-performed WOWY might be the way to close- those are the songs that make the crowd feel good and energetic about U2, and might be a good way to remember them as opposed to something like MOS. Quite frankly, I felt a little embarrassed at how awkwardly the show closed both nights.
I of course only express my opinion and can only base my observations on those in sections near me. I do believe, however, that I got a good cross-section of observations.
I'm a huge fan of MOS as a closer. I proposed to my girlfriend just as it was starting last Wed. night.
I'm a huge fan of MOS as a closer. I proposed to my girlfriend just as it was starting last Wed. night.
I loved both shows, but I found myself a little depressed by crowd reaction during certain parts, especially the end. It really makes me think that Streets or Bad or even a well-performed WOWY might be the way to close- those are the songs that make the crowd feel good and energetic about U2, and might be a good way to remember them as opposed to something like MOS. Quite frankly, I felt a little embarrassed at how awkwardly the show closed both nights.
exactly. and i'm sure the band realizes this, they'd have to be idiots to not notice it. generally i think the band's pretty good with picking decent closers. i didn't think the song would work as a closer but i think you have to hear it to "get" it.Two different things are being discussed here. What song "fits" as the last song, and what song would keep everyone in their seats. If people are leaving before the last song (Streets, WOWY or whatever else people are describing as a bail point) nothing will keep them there if they have already left.
MOS (IMHO) really fits as the last song. Other songs (esp if they played 3 warhorses in row for the final encore) might keep them there, but if people are going to leave, they are leaving. Even during U2's first #1 song.
NLOTH flat live? It's f*cking great. Together with GOYB it's my favourite live song from NLOTH.
There is no perfect closer, because that means the show is over and you always want more.
See, that's the thing. This song as a closer does NOT leave me wanting more. It has me looking at my watch. I've never done that at a U2 show, ever, and I've been to many since Zoo TV.
I never want their show to end, but honestly this encore makes me anxious for the end. I still love this tour but the encore doesn't lift me up and beg for more. It just makes me sad. JMO.
After seeing my 3rd show, I am MORE convinced that this is the PERFECT closer. I love ending on a "downer" song. Think 40, Love is Blindness...I think this might be the best placed song on the setlist.
I would agree. I think many of the predicted setlists after the album came out ended with Moment of Surrender. To me it is hurt by the song before it, With Or Without You. WOWY is so uninspired these days that the shows end with ten minutes of slow music.
I personally think that Ultraviolet->With Or Without You->Moment of Surrender fits so well into the show thematically that it's insane... they are the desperation but the true emotional heart of each show when put in that order.
The only issue the the lackluster vocal performances of WOWY on this tour, but I've come to not even mind that so much, because it's better than the last tour, and UV and MOS are performed to an insanely high standard. Shine Like Stars every night would be really nice, though... and it would really fit in perfectly.
So I'm wrong again.
See, I thought WOWY was perfectly fine on Vertigo.
I would like to see them play WOWY early in the set, maybe where YBR is. Slow it down, but the crowd still goes apeshit.
I like the 360 setlists. My main complaint and its not a big one is Breathe opening the show. It works "ok", just not fantastic as an opener.
So I'm wrong again.
I personally think that Ultraviolet->With Or Without You->Moment of Surrender fits so well into the show thematically that it's insane... they are the desperation but the true emotional heart of each show when put in that order.
The only issue the the lackluster vocal performances of WOWY on this tour, but I've come to not even mind that so much, because it's better than the last tour, and UV and MOS are performed to an insanely high standard. Shine Like Stars every night would be really nice, though... and it would really fit in perfectly.