Yea... The multimedia has always been the excuse for why they don't mix up sets more, but then Elevation and Vertigo Tours came along, and they still didn't mix anything up besides the occasional rotating slot. I feel Vertigo had a decently mixed up encore, but it was still just the same 6 songs swapping in for each other.
U2 will never be a band that randomly pulls a song out of their ass on Abby given night, abs will give up on songs easily if they don't feel perfect to them, or if they think the masses aren't feeling it. This is the absolute worst thing about them, but it is what it is.
U2's theatrics and passion still makes it a religious experience... but I'd give up every amazing multimedia moment they've ever done in a heartbeat in exchange for a more Springsteen/Pearl Jam like night to night set variation, where you really don't have any clue what they're going out play on any given night.
Take PJ... they play Even Flow at pretty much every show. I took a casual fan to a show at Barclays and assured him that at least he'd get even flow. And they didn't play even flow, and neither of us even noticed it was missing until after the show was over... because the spontaneity of the show keeps you on your toes and things like that don't become as obvious.
Nobody would be like ehhhrmagad they didn't play Homecoming if they actually played a ton of different songs on any given night.
Alas... they won't, likely can't, and we're stuck with the absolute lamest setlist parties anywhere. Whatevs... they're still great. But something's missing.