MERGED --> United Center LED Boards +when were the LEDs around the upper decks added?

[knox]

United Center LED Boards

Just got some news about the LED boards that were used for Chicago 2 and 3...apparently, they were just for the video shoot, so there's a good chance they won't show up again (not all arenas have them, anyway).

In a way, it's too bad, because I thought they were really neat...

 

[hluvslmj]

 

[Chizip]

i remember when i was in phoenix i thought, it would be really cool if they used the stadium led screens

then when i saw they did it in chicago i thought, i was right, this is really cool

 

[lemon_vr6]

when were the LEDs around the upper decks added?

They weren't there for the first 10 shows. Did they show up for Chicago?

 

[TheFly40]

Willie Williams was able to plug into the already existing LCD screens used for sporting events. Not all arenas have them.

Here's an posting from @U2.com:

Our friend Tim C. tells me that the lighting has been really different these past couple nights in Chicago, ostensibly for the DVD shoot they're doing. Says Tim:

"Most notable was the use of the electronic LED signs that are usually showing ads for some sort of sponsor during a Bulls game. These signs are located in front of the railing of the 2nd and 3rd Balcony. Willie somehow hooked up into these signs and used them to display horizontal lines of color during points of the show."

He's referring to the image above right, which is something I certainly haven't seen in any photos from the tour so far -- using the main arena lights?? Nice addition. Anyway, Tim continues:

"Secondly, multi-colored LED strobe lights were placed in the stands above almost every single entrance/exit. These were used at certain
points of the show.

I dug through the photos submitted from Monday's show to U2tours.com, and here some shots that show things I've not seen before where lighting is concerned:

http://www.u2tours.com/reviewfiles/2005/18/5463/5463-2.jpg
http://www.u2tours.com/reviewfiles/2005/18/5463/5463-3.jpg
http://www.u2tours.com/reviewfiles/2005/18/5463/5463-5.jpg
http://www.u2tours.com/reviewfiles/2005/18/5467/5467-1.jpg
http://www.u2tours.com/reviewfiles/2005/18/5494/5494-2.jpg
http://www.u2tours.com/reviewfiles/2005/18/5494/5494-3.jpg

That 3rd shot listed above -- where the band's images are on the LED curtains -- what song was that??

One last note: if you noticed that it was super-hot inside the arena, it's because U2 told the United Center to turn off the ventilation system. Why? They didn't want the airflow to interfere with the confetti drop during "Blinding Lights."

 

[learn2kneel]

The LED's were great during Zoo Station. It was colorful and featured static.

 

[U2FanPeter]

The 3rd photo should be Zoo Station judging by the smoke and position of Bono/Edge.

I've never seen that photo of U2 - it looks like a Devo album cover.

u2fp

 

[MissVelvetDress_75]

they looked awesome from the nosebleeds.

 

[knox]

I can confirm that they were not used tonight, unfortunately.

 

[U2FanPeter]

They have them at the Key Arena in Seattle, but didn't use them. The Denver arena has them aswell, right?

I think they should be incorporated in any rock concerts in the future, when available.

u2fp

 

[U2MaNaIcWeIdO]

they looked awesome from the nosebleeds.

They looked awesome from where I was too.....I just wished they could have used it for the 7th and last night....it would have been grand.

 

[fanboy156]

I am very very paranoid of not being able to see the band at all from ADA section 119 on tuesday.Those curtans could be a pain in the neck to see through can anybody ease my worrying.

 

[innocent_eyes]

they should definately use the arena lights when possible, not just to spruce up the dvd!!!

 

[kawai17]

I am very very paranoid of not being able to see the band at all from ADA section 119 on tuesday.Those curtans could be a pain in the neck to see through can anybody ease my worrying.

They may inhibit somewhat...though there are large gaps in between them if your viewing them from the side. Also, i wouldnt worry that much as the curtains aren't used for most of the show.

 

[cleazer]

I am very very paranoid of not being able to see the band at all from ADA section 119 on tuesday.Those curtans could be a pain in the neck to see through can anybody ease my worrying.

I sat directly behind the stage for 2 of the 4 Chicago shows, and the curtains didn't bother me at all. You can see right through them, and they're there for less than half of the show.

 

[cleazer]

As for the arena lights, they were great. If U2 can talk other arenas into letting them use them, they should do it, because they definitely enhanced the concert experience.