The CLAW Part 4 - (INCL. SPOILERS)

[subnet]

reminds me of Close Encounters of the Third Kind

 

[u2wedge]

recorded this clip in my room in Dublin... sorry for the low volume. Heading to the stadium now, decided not to queue all day as we have RedZone on Monday... just going to go with the flow today and enjoy it.

YouTube - U2 Tour info on the News in Dublin

 

[Dragonfave]

Or you could go here:

RT?.ie Entertainment

Scroll down to the Video section, and click on "Six One News: Stage set for U2 at Croke Park." You must have Real Player (or Real Alternative) to view it.

 

[ouizy]

Anyone else notice the back of the stage in Dublin looks completely different?

 

[Perdue]

Anyone else notice the back of the stage in Dublin looks completely different?

Yeah... from what I see, looks as though one of the changes is that the long platform leading to the stage is missing..now a shorter one?

 

[U2zoobaby]

Yeah... from what I see, looks as though one of the changes is that the long platform leading to the stage is missing..now a shorter one?

I cant make out what is back there at all... to me it looks like there is a little shack there. lol

 

[ntalwar]

Not sure what's behind the Red Zone here - either VIP or an expanded Red Zone (hence the second auction). Or could be a wheelchair section too.

 

[Mrs. Garrison]

where exactly is the RED Zone in that picture?

 

[ntalwar]

where exactly is the RED Zone in that picture?

The near-empty section with about 50 people in it (in the center). I haven't seen the section behind it (with the ramps) before in other show photos.

 

[u2wedge]

Not sure what's behind the Red Zone here - either VIP or an expanded Red Zone (hence the second auction). Or could be a wheelchair section too.

was wheelchair section, also had some chairs there.

AMAZING show... that remix of Crazy has to be seen live to be appreciated. Might be my favorite song of the night. Absolutely rocked. And Edge's tribal-esque dance around the catwalk was awesome to see. Good stuff.

 

[propagandau2boy]

this pic proves that this is far from 360. . ..

 

[africa2000]

Anyone know why they didn't sell behind the stage? (are there seats or it standing?). I imagine as there were no people back there the back of the stage was not so important and hence the changes. Was there any PA at the back? Not sure how this four direction PA thing works sound-wise or the effect of one side missing. Still surprised at the amount of empty spaces in general.

 

[AiRMaRcI9o0]

I think the only show they didn't sell tickets behind for is Dublin, am I right? I know we talked about this some time ago. Maybe they just wanted to rock the "DUCK" out to everyone in front and not have to worry about scorning the people in the back? Who knows. All I know is that I wish I was at Dublin I

 

[africa2000]

Now found out it was due to Irish safety laws (answered my own question!). Quite ironic that one of the few places that the 360 tour couldn't be 360 is in their home town but by all reports none of this mattered - They rocked! Roll on Wembley.

 

[gvox]

The behind the stage area is still not making sense to me. They need to open that up.

 

[gvox]

I just wanted to post another shot of the Metallica stage to show what 'in-the-round' (aka 360) means.

I think our lads over complicated things a bit with their required underworld shenanigans...

Am I the only person who thinks that is an incredibly boring stage setup? A big rectangle in the middle of the arena.

 

[Diemen]

It's about the music, man.

 

[partygirl43]

Am I the only person who thinks that is an incredibly boring stage setup? A big rectangle in the middle of the arena.

this does look very boring.

 

[gvox]

It's about the music, man.

I hear ya. More and more, though, people expect to be entertained above and beyond the core of 'the music'...which I suppose is why U2 is such a great live event.

Kindof an interesting point though and it sortof ties into the ongoing 'vary the setlist' arguments...I'm not a huge Metallica fan at all (not my style of music really), in fact I probably know 4 or 5 songs tops. But if someone invited me, loving live music like I do, I'd go. What would I hope to experience...well those 4-5 songs, and then some other somewhat indefinable 'wow' factor..like visuals, exciting moments, something like that...would I get it? I dunno, with that type of low-key setup.

Contrast that with U2...let's say I only knew 4-5 songs and someone invited me...I would be thoroughly blown away by the experience of The Claw etc. There's no way around it in my mind, the spectacle is making the show maybe almost as much as the actual music is...who's doing this as well as U2 nowadays? Maybe NIN?

 

[zoo99]

This article from the AP says each claw (3) costs 140 million, I say bullshit.
of course above that he also calls the biggest selling album in the world of the year "underselling"
can any hack work for the AP now?

CANOE -- JAM! Music: U2 concert rocks native Dublin

 

[ouizy]

Am I the only person who thinks that is an incredibly boring stage setup? A big rectangle in the middle of the arena.

I did not go to this tour, but from what I have read, it was actually very interesting. There were a ton of lasers/pyro built into the surface of the stage (those darker colored squares) as well as behind the amp/loudspeakers. The idea was that you saw a very boring rectangular stage as you suggest, but it comes alive when the lights go down.

What is most interesting is that the band had multiple mic positions around the perimeter, so they basically 'worked' the whole stage - every direction - and every crowd angle. The drum kit rotated and they basically played the entire house = 360 in its purest form - there was no back.

I really do not see why U2 cannot do this under the claw setup - would make for a much more dynamic show...

 

[DRay9911]

I just wanted to post another shot of the Metallica stage to show what 'in-the-round' (aka 360) means.

I think our lads over complicated things a bit with their required underworld shenanigans...

looks like my cousin's battle of the bands competition.

-dan

 

[gvox]

There were a ton of lasers/pyro built into the surface of the stage (those darker colored squares) as well as behind the amp/loudspeakers. The idea was that you saw a very boring rectangular stage as you suggest, but it comes alive when the lights go down.

I find lasers and pyro incredibly boring to be honest. If U2 ever did pyro you'd see some pretty vicious comments from this corner.

There's no way that Metallica stage setup is remotely as interesting as U2's, full 360 or 290 or whatever it is that U2's is.

 

[pepokiss]

YouTube - Metallica One Live @ Nottingham Arena 2009

this is cool, even more in HQ

 

[ouizy]

I'm in no way comparing the set of Metallica to that of U2, the music, or the effects, I am only pointing out what a real 'in the round' show looks like.

Thanks for the clip Pepokiss.

My point is that that band has found a way to play to an audience without all 4 members facing front.

They hit all sides of the building.

Imagine this outside with the lighting structure hanging above them - that is basically the premise for the Claw - I think the stage is wholly under utilized, and thus the show could have been more interesting with crowds fully surrounding the stage...

 

[Ronnie269]

Anyone else feel that U2 use the claw V little?


Seems v minimal to me, effects wise,
other than TUF/COBL/Vertigo and IGCIIDGCT the stage seems v basic!!

 

[romi]

anyone notice that No Doubt have also have a claw built to resemble that LAX structure? Only they like to climb up the claw legs ;-)

 

[BVS]

Anyone else feel that U2 use the claw V little?


Seems v minimal to me, effects wise,
other than TUF/COBL/Vertigo and IGCIIDGCT the stage seems v basic!!

You been to a show yet?

Were you expecting it to crawl?

 

[Ronnie269]

Yeah I've been to 2 now BVS,

No I wasent expecting it to crawl that would be silly! lol

It seems to me in comparison to Zoo Tv / Popmart/ and Vertigo this production was alot less mind blowing visually! the structure is quit impressive, I thought the light and visual show could have been better,

 

[BVS]

Well you're the first I've heard say that, and from what I've seen I can't see how much more they could have done.