dsmith2904
ONE love, blood, life
Please post all reviews of the September 12th show here.
12th September Toronto - Air Canada Centre
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scarboroughjoe
The Fly
I'll keep this quick since I have responded to a lot of posts tonight.
Having not followed this tour as much as the previous ones, it felt good actually being surprised by some of the things that happened (Miss Sarejevo, Fast Cars, well I guess those would have been surprises anyway).
I always feel like there is something missing when they don't play Bad, but I wasn't expecting it on the opening night in a city. I was happy with what they played, except not liking Fast Cars too much (although give them credit for experimenting). Miss Sarajevo was simple but great, and I was surprised at how fun hearing Zoo Station and The Fly was... with people always trying to sing along with U2 songs, it was nice to have them perform some songs that aren't so singalongish, they are just powerful rock songs.
I was amazed at how strong and on Bono's voice was.
I found that Bono was the centre of attention for the whole night. I remember during Elevation, the other band members were more prominent.
I also found it too preachy... every song doesn't have to be dedicated to some suffering group of people, and every world issue doesn't have to be addressed. Those criticisms being said, I still think it's good that U2 uses their fame to try and do good.
Overall, it was great. Every time I see U2, it is one of the high points of the year. I wish I could see them again before they leave, but I'm glad I got to see them at all.
Having not followed this tour as much as the previous ones, it felt good actually being surprised by some of the things that happened (Miss Sarejevo, Fast Cars, well I guess those would have been surprises anyway).
I always feel like there is something missing when they don't play Bad, but I wasn't expecting it on the opening night in a city. I was happy with what they played, except not liking Fast Cars too much (although give them credit for experimenting). Miss Sarajevo was simple but great, and I was surprised at how fun hearing Zoo Station and The Fly was... with people always trying to sing along with U2 songs, it was nice to have them perform some songs that aren't so singalongish, they are just powerful rock songs.
I was amazed at how strong and on Bono's voice was.
I found that Bono was the centre of attention for the whole night. I remember during Elevation, the other band members were more prominent.
I also found it too preachy... every song doesn't have to be dedicated to some suffering group of people, and every world issue doesn't have to be addressed. Those criticisms being said, I still think it's good that U2 uses their fame to try and do good.
Overall, it was great. Every time I see U2, it is one of the high points of the year. I wish I could see them again before they leave, but I'm glad I got to see them at all.
U2 Running on Charity
U2 Running on Charity
We love 'em, but creative lull shows
Great songlist, but musicianship lags
BEN RAYNER
POP MUSIC CRITIC
How to reconcile the U2 question?
They're one of the difficult cases, those earnest, but even earnestly adored Irish lads.
They've proven themselves capable of wonderful things — specifically: War, The Unforgettable Fire, Achtung Baby, Zooropa and about three-quarters of The Joshua Tree — and of being the rare breed of superstar act that can lead the mainstream into brave new directions. But they've produced exactly one great song ("Beautiful Day") in the eight years since the widely unloved Pop forced a sudden circling of the creative wagons and a regression to tried-and-true (and increasingly obvious) U2-isms past on All That You Can't Leave Behind and this year's How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
They draw from a well of stirring anthems seemingly pre-destined to be bellowed en masse in darkened stadiums but their live show can also be surprisingly thin on content and staid of performance when the singalongs and the mass epiphanies subside.
They — specifically: Bono — have brought the world's attention to a succession of unimpeachable humanitarian causes, but their overwhelming need to share, to love and to heal this troubled global village often has the opposite effect of generating a virulent, mainly Bono-directed strain of misanthropy amongst those of us who innately distrust the self-professed Pure of Heart.
That, of course, will be complete sacrilege to the more than 18,000 revellers who took in U2 at the Air Canada Centre last night, with three more Toronto sell-outs to come. Still, while perfectly choreographed, designed (that lighting rig!) and played, about half the show seemed beneath the rock 'n' roll station we accord U2.
The band, I think, knows it's not kicking like it once did. "We're just getting started. This whole band is just getting started," Bono said early in the two-hour-plus set, while the pre-show PA flaunted U2's continued virility by playing hot-stuff Montrealais The Arcade Fire's Funeral in apparent entirety.
U2 began with a volley of fiery guitar cuts designed to remind us of their youthful post-punk credentials. Trouble was, the new opener, "Vertigo," came across as much more calculatedly "raw" than the pair of prematurely stadium-worthy near-punk chestnuts, Boy's "I Will Follow" and October's "The Electric Co.," penned 25 years ago. Next came the recent Tomb Raider soundtrack song, "Elevation," which is only less elevating now the band makes you wait even longer for its "ooh-hoo-woo" explosions and only made the drift more depressing.
The classics are undeniable. "Beautiful Day," "Pride (In the Name of Love)," "Where the Streets Have no Name," "One" and the rest of the canon would ring out like hymns even if Bono didn't make a point of saying "Let's go to church" during "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Yet, apart from some down-and-dirty noise jamming on "Bullet the Blue Sky" — now the unlikely highlight of U2's past three tours — there was surprisingly little electric alchemy evident in the musicianship. And the lack of fire glared brighter when there was much less crowd noise to paper over the diminished songwriting impact of Bomb numbers like "Miracle Drug," "Love and Peace or Else" and "Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own" (which squeaks by because Bono wrote it for his recently deceased father).
The politics are right on, at least, from the "Co-Exist" headband Bono wore over his eyes during "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and rightly assessed as "a beautiful, simple thought" to his urgings to the crowd to ring up Paul Martin on their cellphones and remind him of his professed commitment to foreign aid.
"Seven per cent (of the GNP) is a Canadian invention (by Lester) Pearson. It's a great idea. We look to Canada to lead, not to follow."
It would be nice, however, to see the resultant self-importance shored up once again with a musical campaign we could get behind as easily.
U2 Running on Charity
We love 'em, but creative lull shows
Great songlist, but musicianship lags
BEN RAYNER
POP MUSIC CRITIC
How to reconcile the U2 question?
They're one of the difficult cases, those earnest, but even earnestly adored Irish lads.
They've proven themselves capable of wonderful things — specifically: War, The Unforgettable Fire, Achtung Baby, Zooropa and about three-quarters of The Joshua Tree — and of being the rare breed of superstar act that can lead the mainstream into brave new directions. But they've produced exactly one great song ("Beautiful Day") in the eight years since the widely unloved Pop forced a sudden circling of the creative wagons and a regression to tried-and-true (and increasingly obvious) U2-isms past on All That You Can't Leave Behind and this year's How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
They draw from a well of stirring anthems seemingly pre-destined to be bellowed en masse in darkened stadiums but their live show can also be surprisingly thin on content and staid of performance when the singalongs and the mass epiphanies subside.
They — specifically: Bono — have brought the world's attention to a succession of unimpeachable humanitarian causes, but their overwhelming need to share, to love and to heal this troubled global village often has the opposite effect of generating a virulent, mainly Bono-directed strain of misanthropy amongst those of us who innately distrust the self-professed Pure of Heart.
That, of course, will be complete sacrilege to the more than 18,000 revellers who took in U2 at the Air Canada Centre last night, with three more Toronto sell-outs to come. Still, while perfectly choreographed, designed (that lighting rig!) and played, about half the show seemed beneath the rock 'n' roll station we accord U2.
The band, I think, knows it's not kicking like it once did. "We're just getting started. This whole band is just getting started," Bono said early in the two-hour-plus set, while the pre-show PA flaunted U2's continued virility by playing hot-stuff Montrealais The Arcade Fire's Funeral in apparent entirety.
U2 began with a volley of fiery guitar cuts designed to remind us of their youthful post-punk credentials. Trouble was, the new opener, "Vertigo," came across as much more calculatedly "raw" than the pair of prematurely stadium-worthy near-punk chestnuts, Boy's "I Will Follow" and October's "The Electric Co.," penned 25 years ago. Next came the recent Tomb Raider soundtrack song, "Elevation," which is only less elevating now the band makes you wait even longer for its "ooh-hoo-woo" explosions and only made the drift more depressing.
The classics are undeniable. "Beautiful Day," "Pride (In the Name of Love)," "Where the Streets Have no Name," "One" and the rest of the canon would ring out like hymns even if Bono didn't make a point of saying "Let's go to church" during "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Yet, apart from some down-and-dirty noise jamming on "Bullet the Blue Sky" — now the unlikely highlight of U2's past three tours — there was surprisingly little electric alchemy evident in the musicianship. And the lack of fire glared brighter when there was much less crowd noise to paper over the diminished songwriting impact of Bomb numbers like "Miracle Drug," "Love and Peace or Else" and "Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own" (which squeaks by because Bono wrote it for his recently deceased father).
The politics are right on, at least, from the "Co-Exist" headband Bono wore over his eyes during "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and rightly assessed as "a beautiful, simple thought" to his urgings to the crowd to ring up Paul Martin on their cellphones and remind him of his professed commitment to foreign aid.
"Seven per cent (of the GNP) is a Canadian invention (by Lester) Pearson. It's a great idea. We look to Canada to lead, not to follow."
It would be nice, however, to see the resultant self-importance shored up once again with a musical campaign we could get behind as easily.
U2's Vertigo Tour Hits Toronto
****1/2
By JANE STEVENSON -- Toronto Sun
TORONTO -- "Hello, hello, Toronto!" sang U2 frontman Bono, ad-libbing the opening of the song Vertigo as the Irish rockers kicked off the second leg of their North American tour last night at the Air Canada Centre.
But despite energetically launching the concert -- the first of four sold-out dates at the ACC -- with a song off their latest album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, the Dublin band wasted no time returning to the very beginning.
The second song of the night was a glorious rendition of I Will Follow, from their 1980 debut Boy that almost eclipsed their opener.
That was no easy feat given Vertigo was aided by the presence of large red light panels that descended from their enormous lighting and sound rig and surrounded them like beaded curtains.
"Tonight, a rock 'n' roll festival," Bono told the crowd of 19,000 in reference to the current Toronto Film Festival that's taken over the city.
If there was ever a band up for the job of making T.O. forget about all those A-list celebrities in town, it is the stadium-made U2.
Singer Bono, 45, guitarist The Edge, 44, bassist Adam Clayton, 45, and drummer Larry Mullen Jr., 43, arrived in Toronto early Friday to rehearse at the Air Canada Centre.
Bono made a few appearances at Film Festival functions and Sunday night's 1X1 benefit.
The band themselves taped two performances for Hurricane Katrina fundraisers that were broadcast as part of multi-act TV specials Friday and Saturday nights.
"How are you doing, Toronto?" Bono said.
"It's been a handsome looking city over the last few day."
U2 actually started their Vertigo tour March 28 in San Diego and have about 60 shows under their belt -- playing arenas in North America and stadiums in Europe.
Their last show before coming to Toronto was Aug. 14 in Lisbon, Portugal.
****1/2
By JANE STEVENSON -- Toronto Sun
TORONTO -- "Hello, hello, Toronto!" sang U2 frontman Bono, ad-libbing the opening of the song Vertigo as the Irish rockers kicked off the second leg of their North American tour last night at the Air Canada Centre.
But despite energetically launching the concert -- the first of four sold-out dates at the ACC -- with a song off their latest album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, the Dublin band wasted no time returning to the very beginning.
The second song of the night was a glorious rendition of I Will Follow, from their 1980 debut Boy that almost eclipsed their opener.
That was no easy feat given Vertigo was aided by the presence of large red light panels that descended from their enormous lighting and sound rig and surrounded them like beaded curtains.
"Tonight, a rock 'n' roll festival," Bono told the crowd of 19,000 in reference to the current Toronto Film Festival that's taken over the city.
If there was ever a band up for the job of making T.O. forget about all those A-list celebrities in town, it is the stadium-made U2.
Singer Bono, 45, guitarist The Edge, 44, bassist Adam Clayton, 45, and drummer Larry Mullen Jr., 43, arrived in Toronto early Friday to rehearse at the Air Canada Centre.
Bono made a few appearances at Film Festival functions and Sunday night's 1X1 benefit.
The band themselves taped two performances for Hurricane Katrina fundraisers that were broadcast as part of multi-act TV specials Friday and Saturday nights.
"How are you doing, Toronto?" Bono said.
"It's been a handsome looking city over the last few day."
U2 actually started their Vertigo tour March 28 in San Diego and have about 60 shows under their belt -- playing arenas in North America and stadiums in Europe.
Their last show before coming to Toronto was Aug. 14 in Lisbon, Portugal.
This was my first ever U2 show and it was everything I imagined it to be!
Dashboard Confessionals had great energy and performed well, unfortunately, I had never heard any of their songs before so they all sounded much the same to me.
When I heard "Wake Up" I went slightly insane. I felt pure joy watching the guys take the stage and begin, what was for me, an amazing show.
Bono's voice was wonderful, strong, and powerful. Edge looked extremely pleased with himself and Larry and Adam seemed to be having a great time too.
I don't understand why people complain about the setlist because these songs were incredible. "Sometimes" made me tear up, as I knew it would, and I was completely blown away with "fast Cars". Didn't see that one coming.
The crowd was in great form and I am so happy I was a part of it!!
In case you haven't heard this before, U2 totally ROCK!!!!!!!!!
Dashboard Confessionals had great energy and performed well, unfortunately, I had never heard any of their songs before so they all sounded much the same to me.
When I heard "Wake Up" I went slightly insane. I felt pure joy watching the guys take the stage and begin, what was for me, an amazing show.
Bono's voice was wonderful, strong, and powerful. Edge looked extremely pleased with himself and Larry and Adam seemed to be having a great time too.
I don't understand why people complain about the setlist because these songs were incredible. "Sometimes" made me tear up, as I knew it would, and I was completely blown away with "fast Cars". Didn't see that one coming.
The crowd was in great form and I am so happy I was a part of it!!
In case you haven't heard this before, U2 totally ROCK!!!!!!!!!
BluRmGrl
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Fast Cars live?!?!? 
I soooo hope they keep that in the line-up - at least for the November & December shows that I'll be seeing! 
I soooo hope they keep that in the line-up - at least for the November & December shows that I'll be seeing! 
This was my first U2 show ever and I could not believe how amazing it was! I was GA at the tip of the runway, centre, right on the rails. Great seats and Bono was like 2 ft. away!
When Wake Up came on, the place just went insane. Everyone was singing or screaming...it was just crazy! And when U2 took the stage, well it was just incredible!
I don't know what happened but when they played Vertigo, A Little While, Beautiful Day, and the other HTDAAB songs, I just couldn't stop crying. There's nothing like seeing the band you love singing the songs you love with 20 000 other people singing along.
The light show was amazing, Bono was funny, and the band just rocked. When Edge and Bono came out on the runway it was just spectacular! And Larry/Bono played the drum for LAPOE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! It was just amazing.
I love U2 and I loved this concert and I've never seen or done anything that was as fun or moving as this. Just amazing.
When Wake Up came on, the place just went insane. Everyone was singing or screaming...it was just crazy! And when U2 took the stage, well it was just incredible!
I don't know what happened but when they played Vertigo, A Little While, Beautiful Day, and the other HTDAAB songs, I just couldn't stop crying. There's nothing like seeing the band you love singing the songs you love with 20 000 other people singing along.
The light show was amazing, Bono was funny, and the band just rocked. When Edge and Bono came out on the runway it was just spectacular! And Larry/Bono played the drum for LAPOE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! It was just amazing.
I love U2 and I loved this concert and I've never seen or done anything that was as fun or moving as this. Just amazing.
shy
War Child
Fast Cars???????
Phi
The Fly
It was an awesome night! I had the privelage of winning a tour of the backstage 15 minutes before the show, so I was absolutely stoked. No, I didn't meet the band, but I got to peak into the underworld that is below the stage and pretty much walk through all of the crew areas. Our escorts were great.
Besides that, I thought the set was terrific. Some really emotional parts such as Miss Sarajevo and Sometimes You Can't Make It. My wife, who isn't exactly a devoted U2 fan, said she actually fought back tears at certain intervals of the set and how Bono's dedications are so heartfelt. That's amazing.
I was surprised they threw In a Little While in that early in the set, but they pulled it off very nicely. The band was tight and dynamic on every song, you can tell they're in mid-tour shape and welcomed the 4 week rest. Bono's voice was as good as I've ever heard live, and he was absolutely tireless.
Even though I wanted the show to continue after 40, I was relieved they didn't play Vertigo a second time. Would have taken a bit away from the feel of the set. As compared to Elevation Tour, I thought this show was a good degree better musically and in energy. I would have liked seeing more interaction between the guys on stage, but maybe they're so in the groove now that they can read each others minds and actions.
Besides that, I thought the set was terrific. Some really emotional parts such as Miss Sarajevo and Sometimes You Can't Make It. My wife, who isn't exactly a devoted U2 fan, said she actually fought back tears at certain intervals of the set and how Bono's dedications are so heartfelt. That's amazing.
I was surprised they threw In a Little While in that early in the set, but they pulled it off very nicely. The band was tight and dynamic on every song, you can tell they're in mid-tour shape and welcomed the 4 week rest. Bono's voice was as good as I've ever heard live, and he was absolutely tireless.
Even though I wanted the show to continue after 40, I was relieved they didn't play Vertigo a second time. Would have taken a bit away from the feel of the set. As compared to Elevation Tour, I thought this show was a good degree better musically and in energy. I would have liked seeing more interaction between the guys on stage, but maybe they're so in the groove now that they can read each others minds and actions.
edge's girl
Acrobat
I have to start off by saying that this was my first U2 show as I have never been able to get tickets before and I loved it. We (me and my brother) were seventh row in the seets on Adam's side of the stage, we didn't get to see much of Dashbord since I had to come straight from university (I actually missed my last class so right after I post this I have to go beg the notes off someone) but what I saw of them was good.
By the time U2 took the stage I was already jumping around and yelling which the old lady infront of me took slight offence to (how is it that I always get stuck neer boring people when I go to concerts?). I loved the entire show, including fast cars which I don't think anybody had been expecting them to play, oh and was I the only one who saw that Edge had a piece of paper with the cords written on it lying on the stage infront of him for that? I wish I could remember the exact setlist, I tried but honestly I'd need a piece of paper to record all the songs on.
Personally I didn't find the show to be too preachy, but then my friends are always telling me to shut up and get off my soap box so I enjoyed hearing someone else talk about it for once. That and you have to love the fact that Bono's actually sincere about it and not just jumping on the bandwagon of a cause like so many other celbrities do.
Overall I thought it was a great show and I can't wait to see them again.
By the time U2 took the stage I was already jumping around and yelling which the old lady infront of me took slight offence to (how is it that I always get stuck neer boring people when I go to concerts?). I loved the entire show, including fast cars which I don't think anybody had been expecting them to play, oh and was I the only one who saw that Edge had a piece of paper with the cords written on it lying on the stage infront of him for that? I wish I could remember the exact setlist, I tried but honestly I'd need a piece of paper to record all the songs on.
Personally I didn't find the show to be too preachy, but then my friends are always telling me to shut up and get off my soap box so I enjoyed hearing someone else talk about it for once. That and you have to love the fact that Bono's actually sincere about it and not just jumping on the bandwagon of a cause like so many other celbrities do.
Overall I thought it was a great show and I can't wait to see them again.
gvox
Ghost of Love
Electric Co is on OCTOBER??
I'll have to dig it out again, its been ssoooooooo long since I listened to it..lol..
Go back to your bubblegum pop Ben.
G
I'll have to dig it out again, its been ssoooooooo long since I listened to it..lol..
Go back to your bubblegum pop Ben.
G
The Disciple
New Yorker
What an imbecile....
Phi
The Fly
That Ben Rayner wouldn't know musicianship if it bit him in his ass. He's a bloody pop critic - how hard a job is that?
Just another controversial review to help sell his rag of a paper.
Just another controversial review to help sell his rag of a paper.
greety
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
what is this Old man river song they played at the end of One?
Phi said:That Ben Rayner wouldn't know musicianship if it bit him in his ass. He's a bloody pop critic - how hard a job is that?
Just another controversial review to help sell his rag of a paper.
I totally agree. I couldn't believe his review. The show he saw was definately not the show I saw or the other 20,000 people. But what do you expect from a mofo who once gave N Synch 4 stars for a performance they did a few years back. This guy is pure pop and my guess was that Bono and the boys spurned his interview request and so now he's pissed and has a vendetta against them. Asshole.
Phi
The Fly
I think he was pissed at Bono's knock against Paul Martin. After all, the Toronto Star is as bleeding heart Liberal as they come.
Can't wait to see the reaction for the rest of the shows in T.O. My bro is down there right now for the 2nd show.
Can't wait to see the reaction for the rest of the shows in T.O. My bro is down there right now for the 2nd show.
drumkeeran
War Child
bobert16 said:
I must've been right next to you. I cried for a couple of songs too. "Miracle Drug", "Sometimes", "miss sarajevo". Pride and WOWY were so much better than in past tours!! Just incredible show!
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MarcusOneTree
Acrobat
gabrielvox said:
Phi said:That Ben Rayner wouldn't know musicianship if it bit him in his ass. He's a bloody pop critic - how hard a job is that?
Just another controversial review to help sell his rag of a paper.
biff
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
theride66 said:
Actually, he's never had any kind wirds for U2. I said to a friend before Monday's show that if The Star sent Ben Rayner to review the show, we were guaranteed a bad review. He even manages to mention U2 in articles that are not about them, and always in a negative light. And I saw him on TV once slagging off Bono for being, in his view, insincere in his activist activities, something about how he couldn't take seriously the "fact" that Bono lobbies for the poor while flying around in a private jet. Knob.
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