Even though there are very different opinions expressed by people in this thread, I have to say there is something I agree with in what everyone is saying here.
My observations: THE GOOD
1.)Overall, I am not bitching. U2 is back on tour for the first time since 2006, and just 3 shows in, everyone is on top of their game and Bono is sounding great. UF and UV are back, and Electrical storm is finally in the set! I would say if you had constructed a super thread/poll of what songs interference wants back, everyone pick 3, then UF, UV, and ES could have easily won. Things have been mixed up to some extent, Angel, Party girl, stuck, Desire, Electrical storm, in a little while, etc. The claw looks great, everyone in attendance seems to be having a great time, the PA system is enormous and sounds great even with crappy bootlegs.
2.)WHAT COULD IMPROVE? THE OPENER: no suprises here, like many, I think Breathe is a great song but just not as an opener. A U2 stadium show is about a massive build up to a massive opening, lights flashing, visuals, etc- just look at your Sydney Zoo TV or Popmart Mexico DVDs. Something is missing here, and its noticeable given the stage design, there is just so much more they could do. I think the best bet would be to have some kind of intro video like Zoo TV, use the claw lights, etc, then segue that into the opening they were using for Boots on the tv appearances. GOYB then goes into Even Better than the real thing or a FULL BAND LOVETOWN VERSION of Desire. Then NLOTH. That would add some pop to the opening. As it is now, it just lacks energy.
THIS SETLIST IS TOO STRUCTURED: There is the usual open with 3 rockers, then a couple of uplifting anthems(Magnificent, BD) then Still Havent found, then a few spots that are rotated nightly, usually songs like Angel or in a little while or a neutered version of Desire(Elevation tour anyone?). Now a new song(UC), a well liked recent cut(COBL), a resurrected classic(UF),a new song(CT remix) then SBS starts a long list of political songs that ends with the main set at One(Vertigo tour anyone?). Then we are back for a short encore of UV(great!), then a boring WOWY(Elevation style this time, it really needs a rest and has been a disappointment on 360 so far- where the hell is the Tokyo 2006 version, Bono??). MOS is a good closer. This setlist suffers from being so structured- you really cant find a place for a songs like Dirty Day, Exit, Gone, LNOE and Please. If you replace one of the songs in the long political set, you lose the flow. Please would fit where SBS is some nights, but then again, why take out a rocker when that is what this set has lacked? Time to abandon the Elevation/Vertigo structure in favor of a JT/Lovetown approach. Walk on, Desmond>>Streets makes the political point that is part of U2 that I love, they dont need SBS, Pride, MLK, One all in the same order every night. How about Silver and Gold sometimes?
MORE UPBEAT SONGS TO GO WITH THE CLAW/VISUALS:UF and UV, great for the atmosphere, no complaints about these. However, the claw just screams for songs like Hold me thrill me..., LNOE, EBTTRT, full band Desire(360 version sucks), MW, MOFO, Holy Joe. No need for an arena setlist in a stadium.
ROTATION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME: One, Pride, SBS, BD, COBL, Vertigo, Still havent found- still love hearing all of these. However, no need for them all to be in the setlist together every single night. Make a list of the hit parade, and pick 4 or 5 per night as opposed to all of them.
WOWY SHOULD BE ON ITS LAST CHANCE:We all still love it, but the band should give Bono a few more shows to sing it right or lose it for the entire tour. I watched the video of last night, and Bono IS the problem here. Edge and Adam still play it very well, Larry still pounds away and does most of the fills, ETC. Macphisto got a hold of this and it has been crap since, absent a few inspired versions on Vertigo tour. Time for Please or Stay or something else that INTERESTS BONO. It is clear that, after singing ultraviolet so well just before it, he just does not care about this and so goes through the motions, even if he could pull out a JT version if he really wanted to.
Those who think this set is perfect and no one should point out areas to improve are wrong.
Those who are complaining like this is the end of U2, they are mailing it in and boring now are equally wrong.
The shows have been great, a few adjustments and they can be even better.
Just some observations, only 4 shows and plenty of time to get it right!