RedRocksU2
Blue Crack Addict
lol
September 12, 2009 - Soldier Field Chicago - Illinois
- Thread starter smileymbcastard
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
kafrun
Blue Crack Addict
RedRocksU2
Blue Crack Addict
just put a crab in it
corianderstem
Blue Crack Distributor
If you like it, then you shoulda put a crab in it!
RedRocksU2
Blue Crack Addict
I gots no photoshop skillz
U2Girl1978
Blue Crack Addict
Ohhhh Sicy? lol
kafrun
Blue Crack Addict
Since Jules approves, here we go. See if anyone else can spot themselves in the video:
YouTube - U2 360 TOUR OPENS IN CHICAGO!
I'm not saying which one I am, because I'm wearing ridiculous platform sneakers and I run like a girl
YouTube - U2 360 TOUR OPENS IN CHICAGO!
I'm not saying which one I am, because I'm wearing ridiculous platform sneakers and I run like a girl
I'm not saying which one I am, because I'm wearing ridiculous platform sneakers and I run like a girl
1:11?
kafrun
Blue Crack Addict
What do I win? 
and yes it was
and yes it was
kafrun
Blue Crack Addict
What do I win?
and yes it was
That's fantastic.And you win a box of Timbits. That's like the highest form Canadian compliment:
dodaditty21
The Fly
Hey everyone! Had a great time meeting some of you at the Hard Rock Friday night....loading my pics as we speak!
I was a douchbag and got seats for Sunday's show...have to admit I had a better view!
Found myself in the vid above....how awesome is that?!
I was a douchbag and got seats for Sunday's show...have to admit I had a better view!
Found myself in the vid above....how awesome is that?!
romi
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
Just got back from Chicago. Quick GA experience recap here: I thought it was handled great both nights. At least for the first 300 hundred people. Not sure why people here thought it went to hell The people with the number who showed up in the middle of the night did not want to start thier own line. They just couldn't find the people with the wristbands (because we were told to leave). But there were only 50 of them, and they were limited to only one of 20 final lines, so their impact was minimal. Even though by the time security decided to not honor the wrist bands/numbers, everyone was standing next to the people that had originally been around them. Cutters were threown out by security.
I got the spot I was hoping for. Right in front of Bono.
One complaint, and this belongs to the U2 crowd management: There should be better signage for how to get into the inner pit. On the second night my friend and I went for the outer rail, and next to us were people who were at the front of the line. They wanted to be in the pit, but could not figure out how to get in and just stayed on the outside. That was a shame because they could have had frotn row inside.
I got the spot I was hoping for. Right in front of Bono.
One complaint, and this belongs to the U2 crowd management: There should be better signage for how to get into the inner pit. On the second night my friend and I went for the outer rail, and next to us were people who were at the front of the line. They wanted to be in the pit, but could not figure out how to get in and just stayed on the outside. That was a shame because they could have had frotn row inside.
doctorwho
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
I attended both Chicago shows. Sorry that I'm popping in this thread late, but I thought I'd give a review.
I obtained these tickets from the U2 fan club. Waiting in a GA line all day only to then be pushed around isn't my idea of fun any more. I tolerated it for the Elevation tour because there was that chance of gettinig in the heart. I did it once for the Vertigo tour, but the lottery system failed me. And on this tour, I could see how crowded the inside sections were. Therefore, I opted for seats or Red Zone. Good decisions on my part.
For this show, I had seats. I felt that as part of the U2 fan club, I'd have great seats. WRONG. Soldier Field is built in such a way that there is an overhang for the lower level seats. This completely blocked my view of the claw and screen. I was so disappointed. I had brought my sister to this show - her first U2 concert - and felt she'd leave unimpressed.
Fortunately, after two U2 songs, a TicketMaster/Soldier Field woman came by my area and asked if I was happy with my seats. I emphatically shouted, "No, these suck!" LOL! I stated that for the money paid, I can't see anything. She immediately swept us away. We missed GOYB but received tickets for a section over - which is the section I really wanted as the view is a bit better - but more importantly, a whopping 15 rows down! Talk about a view! We were close, we could see everything and we returned just in time for "Magnificent", which is what I wanted to hear and see. As a result of the ticket improvement, it turned out to be a great show!
My sister was also very impressed and really loved the concert. My second biggest complaint are the people who kept sneaking into others' seats any time they left (bathroom or whatever) and had to constantly be booted every time the seat holders returned. If you are a seat taker, be sure the seats are really empty - or just ask for a ticket upgrade! The biggest complaint was the Soldier Field beer and hot dog vendors. They wouldn't leave the sections alone. They'd stand shouting "Beer!" as I'm trying to listen. As soon as one left, another was there - sometimes offering the same thing! They need to chill a bit with the vendors.
Going back to the concert itself, I had downloaded some European boot performances, but really tried to avoid knowing this tour too well. When I finally saw the Vertigo Tour, I felt like I was watching a rerun as I had learned so much about the setlists and stage design, as well as heard many bootleg recordings. My "abstinence" strategy worked as the show came across fresh.
For those of you who hate U2 performing WOWY or "Pride", etc., then I have one answer - my sister. Those songs are performed for people like her - someone who hasn't seen U2 or may only see them once on this tour. These are the people who may not even know the new material (and from what I saw in the two shows, there are a too many people who don't know the new material, but seemed to like it anyway - maybe this will encourage them to finally get the album?). My sister was hoping and waiting for WOWY and U2 didn't disappoint.
What I actually liked most about the night was the remix of "Crazy". I did hear a boot of that song and wasn't impressed. But seeing it live was a completely different feeling. My sister felt that was one of the best songs of the night, as she proclaimed U2 did a fantastic job on that song. I have to agree. Originally I felt that U2 should do the album version of "Crazy" in the U.S. - after all, this is the single they are pushing now and I didn't think U.S. audiences would "get" a remix. But after hearing the remix, I'm glad U2 kept it in. It's funky, it's fun, everyone was bouncing and dancing to it - great job!
Bono's speech about the band members, including comments about his own lack of humility, were funny and everyone could see his fun side. The show was a hit. But it actually got better the next night! I'll post that in the other thread.
For me, it's on to Boston!
I obtained these tickets from the U2 fan club. Waiting in a GA line all day only to then be pushed around isn't my idea of fun any more. I tolerated it for the Elevation tour because there was that chance of gettinig in the heart. I did it once for the Vertigo tour, but the lottery system failed me. And on this tour, I could see how crowded the inside sections were. Therefore, I opted for seats or Red Zone. Good decisions on my part.
For this show, I had seats. I felt that as part of the U2 fan club, I'd have great seats. WRONG. Soldier Field is built in such a way that there is an overhang for the lower level seats. This completely blocked my view of the claw and screen. I was so disappointed. I had brought my sister to this show - her first U2 concert - and felt she'd leave unimpressed.
Fortunately, after two U2 songs, a TicketMaster/Soldier Field woman came by my area and asked if I was happy with my seats. I emphatically shouted, "No, these suck!" LOL! I stated that for the money paid, I can't see anything. She immediately swept us away. We missed GOYB but received tickets for a section over - which is the section I really wanted as the view is a bit better - but more importantly, a whopping 15 rows down! Talk about a view! We were close, we could see everything and we returned just in time for "Magnificent", which is what I wanted to hear and see. As a result of the ticket improvement, it turned out to be a great show!
My sister was also very impressed and really loved the concert. My second biggest complaint are the people who kept sneaking into others' seats any time they left (bathroom or whatever) and had to constantly be booted every time the seat holders returned. If you are a seat taker, be sure the seats are really empty - or just ask for a ticket upgrade! The biggest complaint was the Soldier Field beer and hot dog vendors. They wouldn't leave the sections alone. They'd stand shouting "Beer!" as I'm trying to listen. As soon as one left, another was there - sometimes offering the same thing! They need to chill a bit with the vendors.
Going back to the concert itself, I had downloaded some European boot performances, but really tried to avoid knowing this tour too well. When I finally saw the Vertigo Tour, I felt like I was watching a rerun as I had learned so much about the setlists and stage design, as well as heard many bootleg recordings. My "abstinence" strategy worked as the show came across fresh.
For those of you who hate U2 performing WOWY or "Pride", etc., then I have one answer - my sister. Those songs are performed for people like her - someone who hasn't seen U2 or may only see them once on this tour. These are the people who may not even know the new material (and from what I saw in the two shows, there are a too many people who don't know the new material, but seemed to like it anyway - maybe this will encourage them to finally get the album?). My sister was hoping and waiting for WOWY and U2 didn't disappoint.
What I actually liked most about the night was the remix of "Crazy". I did hear a boot of that song and wasn't impressed. But seeing it live was a completely different feeling. My sister felt that was one of the best songs of the night, as she proclaimed U2 did a fantastic job on that song. I have to agree. Originally I felt that U2 should do the album version of "Crazy" in the U.S. - after all, this is the single they are pushing now and I didn't think U.S. audiences would "get" a remix. But after hearing the remix, I'm glad U2 kept it in. It's funky, it's fun, everyone was bouncing and dancing to it - great job!
Bono's speech about the band members, including comments about his own lack of humility, were funny and everyone could see his fun side. The show was a hit. But it actually got better the next night! I'll post that in the other thread.
For me, it's on to Boston!
vinucci2008
The Fly
Howdy! Just getting back from Chicago and settled back in today. I was going to go GA Phoenix and then Vegas GA to cap off a great week of vacation in October but plans changed with work getting in the way. Made last minute plans to go to Chicago and I was able to get some pretty good seats for section 314 off of ebay for $300. The couple next to me got theirs for $450 from the same seller on ebay which I thought was great. Made it feel even more like a bargain. Drove from Tucson to Mesa Friday morning. Flew from Mesa to Peoria for $39 through Allegiant Air. Drove then from Peoria to Schaumburg where we were staying with family from IA that drove in to watch my daughter while my wife and I went to the concert Saturday night.
Transportation was easy... drove to the park and ride at Cumberland and took the Blue Line to the Orange line and took the short walk up to Soldier Field. My wife and I left a little late and arrived while Snow Patrol was playing. They sounded really good from outside the stadium so in retrospect I wish we would have gotten there earlier.
The Claw is awe inspiring when you first see it. It is so huge that pictures do it no justice. Yet for all of its expansiveness it actually made the stadium seem smaller than it really is. Main set was as expected as the first four songs remained unchanged from Europe. Our section was not feeling the new songs at all and I swear the first 15 rows were all sitting throughout these songs. At this time I was wishing for nosebleeds or GAs since people up higher and the entire floor was looking like they were having a great time. This was my wife's first U2 concert as well and she was really turned off by all of these idiots at a rock concert sitting through the beginning of the concert. Wow. My wife and I stood and enjoyed ourselves as the energy from the band was great and the sound was excellent.
Highlights for myself were Stuck in a Moment, Vertigo, COBL... with the low clouds reflecting the lights beaming up off of The Claw, The Unforgettable Fire, Magnificent, One, Bad and Ultraviolet. My wife doesn't care for the album version of both Crazy Tonight and No Line on the Horizon but loved them both live. I also really enjoyed the Crazy Tonight remix. You either love it or hate it and I loved it. Our vantage point was great as far as seeing the lighting effects and it wasn't bad where everyone looked like ants.
Overall a great concert experience with the ONLY downside being our lame section. It didn't get me down too much after the concert started but there were a couple of times I wished I could have been down in GA outside rail where it was a party. For my wife, despite the losers in our section she loved the concert and will be just fine with me playing U2 all of the time. I've won her over to being a U2 fan now... even she was wanting to be in the GA area. I hope we get the chance to see a couple of shows in 2010.
Leaving Soldier Field was a mess for most people. I felt bad but I didn't know it would be as bad as it was. We came around to the north side of the stadium and saw the clusterfuck that was trying to get underneath Lake Shore Drive and just watched for a couple of minutes... and then cut around the east side of the Field Museum and cut across Grant Park. We probably beat 75% of you out of there and enjoyed the beautiful Chicago skyline and fresh air that we avoid in Tucson.
Wanted so bad to get some GA's for Sunday night or at the least seats again since we didn't come back to Tucson until Monday. Missed rehearsals Friday night by an hour since we had our 18 month old with us and she was getting tired and needed dinner so we didn't hear Your Blue Room... ahhhhh! And of course they played it Sunday instead of Saturday. What can you do? We had no one to watch our daughter Sunday night either and that is a little too young to go to your first U2 concert. Her poor ears would have been shot even though I'm sure she would have loved it.
Transportation was easy... drove to the park and ride at Cumberland and took the Blue Line to the Orange line and took the short walk up to Soldier Field. My wife and I left a little late and arrived while Snow Patrol was playing. They sounded really good from outside the stadium so in retrospect I wish we would have gotten there earlier.
The Claw is awe inspiring when you first see it. It is so huge that pictures do it no justice. Yet for all of its expansiveness it actually made the stadium seem smaller than it really is. Main set was as expected as the first four songs remained unchanged from Europe. Our section was not feeling the new songs at all and I swear the first 15 rows were all sitting throughout these songs. At this time I was wishing for nosebleeds or GAs since people up higher and the entire floor was looking like they were having a great time. This was my wife's first U2 concert as well and she was really turned off by all of these idiots at a rock concert sitting through the beginning of the concert. Wow. My wife and I stood and enjoyed ourselves as the energy from the band was great and the sound was excellent.
Highlights for myself were Stuck in a Moment, Vertigo, COBL... with the low clouds reflecting the lights beaming up off of The Claw, The Unforgettable Fire, Magnificent, One, Bad and Ultraviolet. My wife doesn't care for the album version of both Crazy Tonight and No Line on the Horizon but loved them both live. I also really enjoyed the Crazy Tonight remix. You either love it or hate it and I loved it. Our vantage point was great as far as seeing the lighting effects and it wasn't bad where everyone looked like ants.
Overall a great concert experience with the ONLY downside being our lame section. It didn't get me down too much after the concert started but there were a couple of times I wished I could have been down in GA outside rail where it was a party. For my wife, despite the losers in our section she loved the concert and will be just fine with me playing U2 all of the time. I've won her over to being a U2 fan now... even she was wanting to be in the GA area. I hope we get the chance to see a couple of shows in 2010.
Leaving Soldier Field was a mess for most people. I felt bad but I didn't know it would be as bad as it was. We came around to the north side of the stadium and saw the clusterfuck that was trying to get underneath Lake Shore Drive and just watched for a couple of minutes... and then cut around the east side of the Field Museum and cut across Grant Park. We probably beat 75% of you out of there and enjoyed the beautiful Chicago skyline and fresh air that we avoid in Tucson.
Wanted so bad to get some GA's for Sunday night or at the least seats again since we didn't come back to Tucson until Monday. Missed rehearsals Friday night by an hour since we had our 18 month old with us and she was getting tired and needed dinner so we didn't hear Your Blue Room... ahhhhh! And of course they played it Sunday instead of Saturday. What can you do? We had no one to watch our daughter Sunday night either and that is a little too young to go to your first U2 concert. Her poor ears would have been shot even though I'm sure she would have loved it.
nicv
New Yorker
And you win a box of Timbits. That's like the highest form Canadian compliment:
kaf, this was so very evil of you to post
My sweet tooth is aching Sorry, derailment over.....thanks.
Liesje
Blue Crack Addict
I agree Romi, I thought they did really well. I mean, there are venues that I'll skip from now on based on last tour. I guess I'm not a hardass enough, random people screaming at me and belittling me for no reason does tend to affect my overall enjoyment of the show. I will pay more money and travel a lot farther for venues that are respectful of fans where respect is due. The security officers near our section of the line did their jobs as well as, if not better, than I expected. They didn't have any problem with us leaving and after a few hours they had figured out who belonged where and were keeping cutters and loiters back. They told us which cameras and purses would be allowed, how to get onto the field and into the ellipse, what time the line would move, and how the police would be involved.
9/12/2009 Review from the Chicago Sun-Times' Jim DeRogatis - this knucklehead rarely writes positive feedback about any concert:
Jim DeRogatis: Jim DeRogatis: August 2009 Archives
jimdero@jimdero.com
Jim DeRogatis: Jim DeRogatis: August 2009 Archives
jimdero@jimdero.com
DRay9911
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2009
- Messages
- 8,308
that is an AWESOME picture...great camera work
(i took that, right?)
-dan
(i took that, right?)
-dan
Probably...
I'm home, my brain is fried, transfering all the pics/data, and....
I GO SEE THE KILLERS TONIGHT!
Liesje
Blue Crack Addict
Great pic! Night 1 I took my mom's el-cheapo camera but gave it to someone else b/c her lens got stuck and I didn't intend to take pics during the show. Then Night 2 I took it again to get pics with friends but it wouldn't recognize the memory card in it. Luckily other friends got pics of us but they are still coming back to reality...
MJMueller1
The Fly
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2009
- Messages
- 34
I just want to restate something from my earlier post. I thought security was great up until 3:15ish. They were picking up trash, recycling, answering questions, etc...they were good dudes, and very cordial. Once the line started moving forward is when it got bad. I'm a muscular 220lbs and didn't even feel safe. We got stuck on the downhill slope, in the sun, and the hills and garage blocked any breeze. I'm really surprised that no one got heat stroke, trampled, or fainted. I just felt it could have been much safer and smoother, moving on to the field and that people should be more ballsy in saying no to cutters, but then again, it is very difficult to tell who has been there, and who hasn't, after a while. Oh well...looking forward to next show already.
romi
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
I just want to restate something from my earlier post. I thought security was great up until 3:15ish. They were picking up trash, recycling, answering questions, etc...they were good dudes, and very cordial. Once the line started moving forward is when it got bad. I'm a muscular 220lbs and didn't even feel safe. We got stuck on the downhill slope, in the sun, and the hills and garage blocked any breeze. I'm really surprised that no one got heat stroke, trampled, or fainted. I just felt it could have been much safer and smoother, moving on to the field and that people should be more ballsy in saying no to cutters, but then again, it is very difficult to tell who has been there, and who hasn't, after a while. Oh well...looking forward to next show already.
On the second day I got stuck on that slope. It was pretty bad. I had to go inside the garage for heat breaks.
Liesje
Blue Crack Addict
What I was told by the officer at our spot is that the police were really jumpy because of the size and length of the line. The police ordered the contracted security to move the line in early, so that is why they started scrunching everyone up and having us trash stuff around 3pm. They kept announcing that officially the gates opened at 5 but they would have to open the line when the police said and it could be any minute. I think we did start going in early, but then came the REAL problem - the people indoors were not in any way prepared and held us inside for another 15 minutes, then the massive clusterfuck trying to have two people hand out wristbands to hundreds of people that had piled in. The security had a good system going, as far as the idea. I think the problem was that they needed everyone up front to rope off the groups, escort people through the gates, and make sure no one was cutting up front where the line went from the tunnel to the stadium entrance. That took everyone off the line where they had been watching out for cutters all day.
Luckily I was in the first group so I was in the tunnel, but the entire day I felt bad for those in the sun.
Luckily I was in the first group so I was in the tunnel, but the entire day I felt bad for those in the sun.
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
after a couple days to let it soak in, here are my highlights and lowlights of the show:
Highlights:
- New songs. i can't think of one new song that didn't sound top notch. "Crazy" was just off the charts.
- Vertigo & Elevation. yep. i'm actually serious. i normally slam these songs, but they really are fun live.
- The Claw. pictures and videos don't do it justice. the think is just massive.
- Ultraviolet. nuff said.
- Bad
- TUF/COBL combo. great songs, great scenery.
Lowlights:
- i'm not sure if it was because of where i was standing, but the drums kept bouncing off the back of the stadium, which caused a real ackward delay. there were a couple times that my friend and i looked at each other and thought the band was fucking the song up, but it was actually the sound.
- Pride, the song needs to be dropped. it's just lifeless.
- The Internet. i am now kicking myself for not following through on my promise to not watch the setlists every night. if i see the band in 2010, even though i'm sure they'll kind of stick to what they're doing, i now have motivation to stay away from the internet before my show. it's just such a better experience when you have no idea what's coming next.
- post show, walking out of Soldier Field was disasterous and dangerous. 50,000 people trying to leave on gate is not how it should go down. my friend's brother in law had two kids with him, and i'm just glad they didn't get lost or even hurt.
Highlights:
- New songs. i can't think of one new song that didn't sound top notch. "Crazy" was just off the charts.
- Vertigo & Elevation. yep. i'm actually serious. i normally slam these songs, but they really are fun live.
- The Claw. pictures and videos don't do it justice. the think is just massive.
- Ultraviolet. nuff said.
- Bad
- TUF/COBL combo. great songs, great scenery.
Lowlights:
- i'm not sure if it was because of where i was standing, but the drums kept bouncing off the back of the stadium, which caused a real ackward delay. there were a couple times that my friend and i looked at each other and thought the band was fucking the song up, but it was actually the sound.
- Pride, the song needs to be dropped. it's just lifeless.
- The Internet. i am now kicking myself for not following through on my promise to not watch the setlists every night. if i see the band in 2010, even though i'm sure they'll kind of stick to what they're doing, i now have motivation to stay away from the internet before my show. it's just such a better experience when you have no idea what's coming next.
- post show, walking out of Soldier Field was disasterous and dangerous. 50,000 people trying to leave on gate is not how it should go down. my friend's brother in law had two kids with him, and i'm just glad they didn't get lost or even hurt.
So, this is really about both shows, but I am glad to have it finally done:
Irish Boys on The CTA: U2 Wrap the Windy City in a Mighty Wind : U2 Interference – U2 Fans, Pop Culture Webzine, & More
Irish Boys on The CTA: U2 Wrap the Windy City in a Mighty Wind : U2 Interference – U2 Fans, Pop Culture Webzine, & More
u2roolz
The Fly
I'm psyched to see that Bono sang part of Wilco's (my other favorite band besides U2) Far Far Away before Beautiful Day in Chicago on both nights. When I listened to it on Mike1000, I thought I heard him sing the opening lines but thought I was hallucinating. U2gigs confirmed it today.
Me and Mrs Chrisedge in front of Claw opening night...
I've never seen a pic of you. NICE!
RedRocksU2
Blue Crack Addict
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