A couple of weeks ago, a friend called me up and spoke about how he was watching the Boston DVD and how great he thought Kite was. I think this is an important point because at this point in the first leg of the Elevation tour, they hadn't played Kite yet. In other words, it is very early on in the tour and I think it shows.
Setlist: When I first saw the setlists on paper, I was really excited, but I think in practice it is a bit clunky, and doesn't flow well.
LAPOE--incredible opener, but I thought the vocals were drowned aout a bit by the band--Joe needs to work on the mix a bit. This will keep getting better and better--a real knockout punch.
Vertigo/SFB snippet - Very strong, although for some reason I am not sure they have found tis song live yet--like it to be even longer and maybe turn in to more of a jam session.
Elevation - When I first saw it on paper, I dreaded it--IMO it is my least favorite song off ATYCLB, and while it was a tremendous opener in '01, I wasn't looking forward to it...but, it works live--and I think the band loves the crowd woo-hooing, so I have a feeling it will stay every night--having said that, I wish they'd take it out.
The Cry/Electric Co. -This is an example of pulling out something from the vault, and having it go over pretty well--although not nearly as good as Out Of Control. This song really rocked, and will, proabbly even get better--I will say The Cry portionw wassn't as smooth as I'd like.
An Cat Dubh/ITH - This is an example of pulling something from the vault, and having it go over like a lead balloon. I was psyched to hear it (and it sounded great) but, honestly the arena went to sleep, and a parade of people flew up the aisles for beer/bathroom breaks-it just doesn't work--the one intangible quality of live material is how the crowd reacts, and this crowd went to sleep.
COBL - Beautiful - here's a song where the staging needs to be worked on so it can be even more dramatic
Beautiful Day - Very Strong
Miracle Drug - Really liked it, but again the vocal mix was quite right - staging on this song could be better (I will end up saying this a lot because I felt they didn't use the ellipse as well as they did the heart in Elevation-the band seemed to be hanging back more than usual--even Bono)
SYCMIYO - Great, could be better, vocal mix could be stronger-incredible touch that this is the first time he loses the shades--he should lose them the rest of the show)
NYD - 9/10
SBS - 9/10
Bullet/Hands - Really good, but the worst rendition I have ever heard dating back to JT-didn't rock, didn't have the intensity it usually does, and feels shortened
Running To Stand Still - Great, but the Hallelujah's were not as powerful as I have heard in the past--can do better on this song.
Zoo Station - Really pumped to hear this song, but I just don't love it in the set--good, not great.
The Fly - Better than the Elevation version, but I kind of feel the same way I feel about Zoo--good, not great.
Mysterious Ways - Not a fan of this song, but it really works live--I enjoyed it, but I put it in the same category as Elevation.
Pride - Solid as usual--I'd love to see them do something different with this song--different arrangement or acoustic
Streets - incredible as always, but not as good as it can get (staging)
One - incredible better than Elevation--more emotional
ABOY- Solid, but not great
Yahweh - What can I say, the biggest surprise of the night-unreal-spiritual-heavenly...10/10...It would be so cool if they reworked this song and did a b-side of this version. I hoipe they play thgis every damn night. Best song of the show.
40 - The way a U2 show should end...always.
I loved the show, but IMO, they have a long way to go with staging and sound mixing on certain songs. The whole show has a half baked feel to it (they do seem a bit underrehearsed)--kind of like Elevation but not as clear conceptually. The songs always get better as the tour grows older, so in a sense I wish it wasn't the 5th show. They really need to use the ellipse better.
Lastly, the setlist does not work (IMO)--everyone will always criticize one song or another--I did with Elevation every night, but the setlist worked. This one doesn't in particular An Cat Dubh/ITH, Zoo, Fly, and Elevation.
I would substitute Gloria, IWF, Out Of Control, or Two Hearts for ACD/ITH. If you are going to do an older song at least make it uptempo oltherwise you lose the crowd. I would sub. Until The End Of The World for Elevation.
Bad should be played every night!
I will be going tonight again so I am pumped.