Here is my idea for the setlist solution (all relative cause from my own view, I think I can write the best setlists for my own band, and therefore U2 also gets that respect from me)
COBL - good as opener, I can understand wanting to open with a positive note, rather then the awesome doom of Love & Peace)
Vertigo/Stories for Boys - good placement
Cry/The Electric Co. - (I wonder if this could count as 1 from October since Cry and Is That All? is the same riff)
An Cat Dubh/Into the Heart - Bono has wanted to bring these back since they dropped them for TUF so I'm not surpised they finally did it. If you look thru old sets they have almost always been early in the set, even though it adds a weird slow down in momentum. I think they as a band like that dynamic, so I say keep it that way.
Electrical Storm - I think since this seemed to get a lot of radio play (where I'm at at least) they should at least play it a lot while it's fresh in everyone's minds (HMTMKMKM, GBHF). Plus it adds a a little more upbeat to flow into...
Beautiful Day - this has the next U2 classic. It will forever more be in every set, but I think by the next tour it needs either be 2nd to last in the main set (Streets), or the beginning of the last encore. I was surpised they didn't open with the last tour, then Elevation, that just always seemed to work better to me.
New Year's Day - of all the old favorites this seems to be the only one that still gets played with the same passion (maybe cause they had short breaks from it in the beginning of ZOO, & Pop). Plus it's easy for the crowd to sing to, and an important up after BD
Miracle Drug - An upbeat song that starts slow, perfect for the crowd to catch it's breath before jumping back in.
Sometimes - IMO 1 of the best songs from the new album, I really like the addon of "No Regrets".
The Unforgettable Fire - this is where it starts to be more of a fan's wish. I really hope they add this song, even with some kind of new arrangement.
A Man and a Woman - this song should take it's rightful place as the successor to Party Girl/TtTYAAtW/Babyface/Desire/In a Little While, as the segue to an Acoustic type set. I like the show without the acoustic set, but if went to 2 hours then it's likely to include something like that.
to be continued...
COBL - good as opener, I can understand wanting to open with a positive note, rather then the awesome doom of Love & Peace)
Vertigo/Stories for Boys - good placement
Cry/The Electric Co. - (I wonder if this could count as 1 from October since Cry and Is That All? is the same riff)
An Cat Dubh/Into the Heart - Bono has wanted to bring these back since they dropped them for TUF so I'm not surpised they finally did it. If you look thru old sets they have almost always been early in the set, even though it adds a weird slow down in momentum. I think they as a band like that dynamic, so I say keep it that way.
Electrical Storm - I think since this seemed to get a lot of radio play (where I'm at at least) they should at least play it a lot while it's fresh in everyone's minds (HMTMKMKM, GBHF). Plus it adds a a little more upbeat to flow into...
Beautiful Day - this has the next U2 classic. It will forever more be in every set, but I think by the next tour it needs either be 2nd to last in the main set (Streets), or the beginning of the last encore. I was surpised they didn't open with the last tour, then Elevation, that just always seemed to work better to me.
New Year's Day - of all the old favorites this seems to be the only one that still gets played with the same passion (maybe cause they had short breaks from it in the beginning of ZOO, & Pop). Plus it's easy for the crowd to sing to, and an important up after BD
Miracle Drug - An upbeat song that starts slow, perfect for the crowd to catch it's breath before jumping back in.
Sometimes - IMO 1 of the best songs from the new album, I really like the addon of "No Regrets".
The Unforgettable Fire - this is where it starts to be more of a fan's wish. I really hope they add this song, even with some kind of new arrangement.
A Man and a Woman - this song should take it's rightful place as the successor to Party Girl/TtTYAAtW/Babyface/Desire/In a Little While, as the segue to an Acoustic type set. I like the show without the acoustic set, but if went to 2 hours then it's likely to include something like that.
to be continued...