smoking at U2 shows
Wow, I'm amazed at the response this topic has gotten. Some interesting comments. Guess I'll toss in my 2 cents.
I've been seeing U2 since War and herb-smoking has always been present to some degree or another at the shows I've seen. Usually a minority, to be sure, but you generally get a whiff some time or another.
As for the question of whether smoking enhances or detracts from the experience, I'd say neither. I've seen U2 with and without partaking, and it really doesn't matter--the experience is always fantastic if you're in the right frame of mind to begin with.
However, personally I've often enjoyed a modest puff or two about a half hour or so into the show, after the band has really started to get into their groove. This way I experience the buzz from the show alone initially, then add a little twist part way through--the weed doesn't "improve" things exactly, just will tend to magnify the music a bit. But on the other hand it's just fine without it--the minute you think you "need" pot to enjoy the show you're starting to lose your perspective and focus more on the drug than the experience itself.
Alcohol, on the other hand--I really prefer not to drink much at all at a concert, because it's a pretty strong narcotic that definitely deadens your senses if taken too heavily.
All the talk of people hating the smell and being annoyed at pot smokers--to tell you the truth, I had no idea people felt that way. Most of the time the folks next to you are tapping your shoulder and asking for a hit! But I can see where people would find it offensive (I always loved the smell of pot, ever since smelling it as a little kid (parents hippy friends), but hated cigarettes).
And as for the people posting here about how dangerous or bad weed is, I can only say that the drug propaganda has certainly been effective if people in America are growing up with those ideas. Like alcohol, pot can be a trap if you become obsessed with using it constantly, but used responsibly I don't see the harm--certainly less malevolent than booze.
A quick sidenote--somebody commented about the band smoking pot--that's been documented (Larry rolling a joint, for one), for sure, but there's no way any of them smoke before a performance. They're way too professional for that.