Thoughts after watching opening night?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-ZHkOmDJbs

I feel like the songs that open the second set are hampered by the fact larry is playing a standing kit. The lack of kick drum makes the songs lose a lot of oomph and everything just sounds a little 'tinny'. I'm really at odds with this show, because I love a lot of what their going for but some of the small things, like the key Miracle is in, larry's drums, Bono phoning in the first 3/4 of Real Thing.. band just seems a bit tired in spots, hope they get their road legs under them soon.


Okay, THIS is what I'm talking about. What is up with this. Invisible, at least to me, is the most anthemic U2 song they've written in the last 10-15 years. It's so full of energy, and there they are, completely handicapped as performers because they have to be inside some video wall prison, standing absolutely still as to match the visuals. Didn't they watch their own music video? I wanted Bono to reach down into the crowd - 'there is no them - there's only us' and now they're standing completely still hovering even further above the audience. This 'performing inside the screen'-nonsense is way to prominent in my opinion, especially for songs like Invisible and Even Better Than The Real Thing - the crowd looks dead but what is there to do when the band looks just as rigid :down:
 
Don't know where to put this, but here's the Irish Independent's review of last night's show:



Review: Barry Egan at U2's opening night of Innocence + Experience in Vancouver - Independent.ie

Wonder how many handjobs he was given to write that.

Bono did say the first thing he's ever said that disappointed me with the "don't shoot" bullshit. U2 has always enjoyed a great relationship with the law enforcement community and they are a presence at all shows. And a big logistical part of every tour since at least TJT.

I implore you, Bono, knock this off!!! Last thing they need is this getting out and pissing off the police. They'll protest shows and some of the more strident unions will slow down or stop escorts, mark my words. They'll get it out there in the public.

I have said before and I'll say again, police misconduct is an issue and needs to be held to account, but not a shred of fact that's come out anywhere has suggested Ferguson was anything but a justified shooting by an officer whose life was in immediate danger. Black, White, Hispanic, anything, you're getting shot if you do what Michael Brown did in Ferguson.

It's still a human tragedy, the last one who wanted Brown or anyone dead was the officer.

I am liberal, even by Boston area standards, and I greatly admire all of Bono's activism and think it has actually helped. I am also the staunchest defender here of the tax move. And I've pointed out many times how Bono is actually well informed on those subjects he works on.

However, he's wrong here and I'm disappointed. I still love the man and what he does and stands for, but he is so much better than that criminal Al Sharpton.

Again, if anyone from the band or their management sees this, please, please, PLEASE consider suggesting that Bono drop this and fast!

It just seems like the "cool" thing to do now to bash the police and U2 has never been about following the cheap "limousine liberal/entitled white people" trend.

This is one of the worst posts I've seen around here in a long, long time.
 
Okay, THIS is what I'm talking about. What is up with this. Invisible, at least to me, is the most anthemic U2 song they've written in the last 10-15 years. It's so full of energy, and there they are, completely handicapped as performers because they have to be inside some video wall prison, standing absolutely still as to match the visuals. Didn't they watch their own music video? I wanted Bono to reach down into the crowd - 'there is no them - there's only us' and now they're standing completely still hovering even further above the audience. This 'performing inside the screen'-nonsense is way to prominent in my opinion, especially for songs like Invisible and Even Better Than The Real Thing - the crowd looks dead but what is there to do when the band looks just as rigid :down:

You can't actually even see the crowd for much of that video... so I don't know how you can gather that they're completely not into it.

Maybe they weren't... but I sure as hell can't tell from that video.
 
Wonder how many handjobs he was given to write that.







This is one of the worst posts I've seen around here in a long, long time.


Ah the good old he must of been bribed to write a good review post


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There's a difference between a good review and sycophantic review. The way it reads Bono could have taken a shit on stage and he would have found a way to spin it positively.
 
The good news for some of you is that Im so utterly uninspired by last night's setlist that I wont be kicking around these setlist threads very much from here on.

Such a tired, safe show.
 
Bono did say the first thing he's ever said that disappointed me with the "don't shoot" bullshit. U2 has always enjoyed a great relationship with the law enforcement community and they are a presence at all shows. And a big logistical part of every tour since at least TJT.

I implore you, Bono, knock this off!!! Last thing they need is this getting out and pissing off the police. They'll protest shows and some of the more strident unions will slow down or stop escorts, mark my words. They'll get it out there in the public.

I have said before and I'll say again, police misconduct is an issue and needs to be held to account, but not a shred of fact that's come out anywhere has suggested Ferguson was anything but a justified shooting by an officer whose life was in immediate danger. Black, White, Hispanic, anything, you're getting shot if you do what Michael Brown did in Ferguson.

It's still a human tragedy, the last one who wanted Brown or anyone dead was the officer.

I am liberal, even by Boston area standards, and I greatly admire all of Bono's activism and think it has actually helped. I am also the staunchest defender here of the tax move. And I've pointed out many times how Bono is actually well informed on those subjects he works on.

However, he's wrong here and I'm disappointed. I still love the man and what he does and stands for, but he is so much better than that criminal Al Sharpton.

Again, if anyone from the band or their management sees this, please, please, PLEASE consider suggesting that Bono drop this and fast!

It just seems like the "cool" thing to do now to bash the police and U2 has never been about following the cheap "limousine liberal/entitled white people" trend.

Yes, because Ferguson is the only police shooting that's happened in recent memory that we should think about when we talk about police vs public incidents. Every comment re: police shootings should be seen thru the lens of Ferguson. Most victims of police brutality were probably acting just like (or at least, looked like they might act just like) Michael Brown.


I mean, it's not like there's really a problem worthy of Bono commenting on during a song like Bullet. It's just a cheap limousine liberal trend.

Good grief.

:rolleyes: :down:

The "don't shoot bullshit"

WOW.
 
Glad to see a lot of positive feedback on social media. It's going to get better. Bono also needs to cut down the speechifying.
 
Show sounded good for opening night. Encore sounded really messy and too much of a warhorse fest. U2 usually puts more thought & creativity in their encore.

And no Volcano, California, & Reach Me was pretty disappointing. And where were the rarities? We had about 2 at every 360 show.

But I think they just wanted to get thru last night. There was a lot of hype about the show and I'm sure the nerves are gone. Thinking we'll get a more cohesive show now. I hope...
 
Unfortunately that seems to be the world we live in now.

Why can't people just enjoy the moment and get swept away in the music?

You had 21 other hours in the day to screw with your stupid phones....take a break from pictures and social media...it won't kill you

Maybe I'm just a bitter old man because when I started going to concerts the only cell phones around just made calls and were the size of a brick.

I'm old too. Of course, does posting on a forum count as enjoying something or not? I'm not sure...

But I will point out my dad did this to me growing up. He ruined vacations trying to get video and pics of the vacation... probably why I'm not big into taking pictures and videos unless it's my own kid. I know others will provide media of U2, so I'm just going to watch and enjoy.

And I love when Bono goes on tangents... it's just when you see them a lot of shows in a row when you know it's part of the setlist. Bruce Springsteen is more annoying when he introduces the band over 20 minutes during one song -- that will drive you bonkers.
 
And I must say, I think U2 was up at 7am doing radio (probably trying to sell tickets to show like they are a stand up comedian) and they all have been flying all over the place, NYC... Larry obviously was just in Dublin...

I'm 37 and I was tired watching them on my computer. So for mid 50s guys I think they played a great show. I was pumped and I was watching it via some guys' cell phone... I know being there the sound must be 100 times better and it still sounded awesome.

Bono can still sing. I don't care if he doesn't get all the lyrics right. A lot of times he does that on purpose. But he did hit his head. Maybe he's gone mad. That's okay too.
 
Opening night had to be warhorses and singles, so I'm not really concerned too much. Excited to see Real Thing is still around.

I figure it's the next few nights that will be interesting as far as the setlist is concerned.
 
my 2 cents...

Agree - all the negative nellies on here are a bit annoying - they won't be like they were in the 80s/90s - Bono does't have the voice or raw enthusiasm that only a 28 year old can have - they do look older - but at least they are not going on greatest hits tours, at least they have the bravery to put themselves out there with new material, at least they bring something visually new to every tour - they will never be as great as they were the first time you saw them, (very similar relationship with them as to your wife, husband, or partner) but you can appreciate their effort and still appreciate the songs that, at one point if not still now, smacked you right in the stomach and made you smile, dance or shout. And oh by the way, you try to get Apple to pay you millions for your work in your 50s - good luck. I'm going to see them 2x on this tour and if nothing else will listen thankfully and appreciate the songs that I have enjoyed so much over the years.
 
Agree - all the negative nellies on here are a bit annoying - they won't be like they were in the 80s/90s - Bono does't have the voice or raw enthusiasm that only a 28 year old can have - they do look older - but at least they are not going on greatest hits tours, at least they have the bravery to put themselves out there with new material, at least they bring something visually new to every tour - they will never be as great as they were the first time you saw them, (very similar relationship with them as to your wife, husband, or partner) but you can appreciate their effort and still appreciate the songs that, at one point if not still now, smacked you right in the stomach and made you smile, dance or shout. And oh by the way, you try to get Apple to pay you millions for your work in your 50s - good luck. I'm going to see them 2x on this tour and if nothing else will listen thankfully and appreciate the songs that I have enjoyed so much over the years.

Jokes on you Apple just gave me 200 million for my next album hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Ha
 
Not to mention, we spend a lot of time talking about all things about the concert, except for the biggest thing that keeps me away from most social things. Other people. I've had good luck at U2 shows, but plenty of events where the person next to you or near you can really ruin your time for many many reasons. Now add non stop cell phone use to that list. But what can you do? I guess cry about it on a U2 forum like I am.
 
I can say with complete confidence that come the 29th and 30th of October I won't waste any time giving a fish's left tit what anyone else is doing other than the four blokes on stage.
 
i'm probably going to stop reading these threads because i want to try (likely in vain) to remain sort of spoiler free until Boston -- though i have the general idea of what they played and how it went and what it looks like.

but this is why i drink at U2 shows, especially the first one i see on a particular tour. as super fans, we tend to think to much, to be overly critical, to compare to tours past, and to worry about how others are receiving the show.

a few beers takes the edge off and lets me take the show for what it is -- a show by my all time favorite band finishing out their career.

last thing i'll say is that the stage design looks pretty brilliant and dynamic, and once they really figure out how to use it and get comfortable, it's going to be very exciting. no one thinks Lakeland, FL in 1992 was the same masterful band in Sydney in 1993. i even remember a difference between the NYC Popmart shows and the Montreal show later that November. much polishing to come.
 
Seems to have gone down really well with the media. Haven't seen a bad review yet


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