Maybe U2 isn't a great live band anymore

[blueeyedgirl]

This is about what I was going to respond with.

U2 are not REM. Its pretty much that simple. They do what they want and what they feel works best for them. I think they have earned the right. If some fans on a message board don't care for it. Move along and don't go to the show. If its THAT big of a deal to you.

And Mike Mills went to all that trouble to get the Nudie suits...

 

[theedgeu2]

I don't necessarily think that they are "backing tracks" but instead are just Brian Eno or Danny Lanois playing the keyboards backstage and you just can't see them. I don't know if anything similar has been posted in this thread as for I haven't read through it, but please forgive me if it has.

 

[last unicorn]

Terry is usually playing keyboards off (sometimes on) stage. And sometimes they are using backing tracks, they've done that for many many years. It's not a problem for me. There are only so and so many sounds a four guys piece can produce on stage. We all know U2 want to transfer their songs as well as possible to the stage.

But I also hope they will have some accoustic stuff this tour as well, I've always liked those stripped down versions, even if some of it was far from perfect. I love their shows because they are usually vivid and dynamic, not because they are perfect. There is so much atmosphere and feeling that makes up for many of the mistakes they usually make. I'd rather to have a band on stage that has fun playing and love to play and play what they want and feel comfortable with, instead of just trying to put on a "perfect" show and please the crowd with everything they do.

 

[BWU2Buffs]

After seeing the performance at the Lincoln Memorial and from the rooftop of the BBC building, I was disappointed at how "canned" recent live U2 performances have become. It seems apparent that not only is the band using pre-recorded synthesizer tracks, but even pre-recorded guitars, drums, and even vocals.

I know that this isn't a new phenomenon for the band, but it is distressing to see the extent to which the live performances use pre-recorded music.

Hopefully U2 Week on Letterman will help restore my faith in U2 as a live band.

Well, I'm marginally hammered, but I have two words for you in the very recent Saturday Night Live era -- bitch, pleeeze.

U2 is still a great live band no matter how many French Horns and Cellos play canned in the background track on some super duper Apple computer.

Just my HO.

 

[last unicorn]

^

Actually, I wouldn't mind seeing some orchestral arrangement on stage for some songs, like some horns or strings. I really liked what they did with OOTS in Milan.

 

[Galeongirl]

I don't necessarily think that they are "backing tracks" but instead are just Brian Eno or Danny Lanois playing the keyboards backstage and you just can't see them. I don't know if anything similar has been posted in this thread as for I haven't read through it, but please forgive me if it has.

They are using backing tracks. Have been since 1985. Brian and Danny don't tour with U2, so they would never be able to play the keys backstage. Terry does play them, and Dallas sometimes takes care of Edge's effects if he's too far on the bstage, but really most is backing tracks.

Which I don't mind, it enhances the songs.

 

[U2girl]

Why is this an issue now ? They've been doing backing tracks for years, either triggered by Edge or the computers in the "underground". (most noticeably on Zoo TV and Popmart)
Probably vastly more such sounds than a 3 piece band like REM.

 

[Got Philk?]

Why can't Terry Lawless play on stage? I haven't heard a compelling reason as to why he has to be underneath the stage.

Because Bono won't remember they are there. Then, when Bono runs around, he'll probably run into them, fall off stage, and break his arm. Too dangerous.



Also, at least U2 hasn't gone to the auto-tune to sound more like T-Pain. eh? EH??

 

[U2BROTHR]

Also, at least U2 hasn't gone to the auto-tune to sound more like T-Pain. eh? EH??

 

[dragmio]

I'm new here, but I have to reply to this.

Having hidden musicians is simply lame. Period.
If someone is playing live, the audience should see him/her. This way it comes off almost like a fraud.

Having said that, I must add tham I'm a a huge U2 fan and I'm almost positive that hiding musicians isn't their decision but manager's. Their image of 4 guys who are together since highschool is obviously deemed too precious to be marred by some long-haired, bearded "dude" playing keyboards on stage.

 

[Galeongirl]

Terry doesn't ALWAYS play with them.

99% of the extra sounds is a backing track. Kinda hard to put the trackplayer onstage eh?

 

[last unicorn]

I'm new here, but I have to reply to this.

Having hidden musicians is simply lame. Period.
If someone is playing live, the audience should see him/her. This way it comes off almost like a fraud.

Having said that, I must add tham I'm a a huge U2 fan and I'm almost positive that hiding musicians isn't their decision but manager's. Their image of 4 guys who are together since highschool is obviously deemed too precious to be marred by some long-haired, bearded "dude" playing keyboards on stage.

Umm yes, but then they have to learn to produce all these sounds with their instruments, just four guys on stage.

Really I don't care about hidden players or backing tracks, they've done that for many many years. I don't care if they bring them on stage, but I prefer seeing only the band on stage and not a dozen other musicians.

And GG is right, Terry isn't playing that much, but they have several backing tracks. I don't care. All I care about is seeing them on stage and hearing them sing and play THEIR instruments live.

 

[believer75]

Don't you think the Beatles would use backing tracks? They had a great deal of extra instrumentation in their music.

 

[last unicorn]

The complexity of U2's music, and especially of their new album, cannot be transfered into a live setting without backing tracks or additional musicians.

 

[believer75]

The complexity of U2's music, and especially of their new album, cannot be transfered into a live setting without backing tracks or additional musicians.

Exactly, but I still think the additions are very minimal.

 

[DukeDalton]

Terry doesn't ALWAYS play with them.

99% of the extra sounds is a backing track. Kinda hard to put the trackplayer onstage eh?

Depeche Mode used to put the tape machine center stage, but even they realized that was not very practical.

 

[last unicorn]

I hope U2 aren't cheating with Unknown Caller. They need to bring those birds on stage, not hide them somewhere underneath.

 

[Galeongirl]

I hope U2 aren't cheating with Unknown Caller. They need to bring those birds on stage, not hide them somewhere underneath.

Nah, Larry would get mad at them because they'd shit on his drums again.

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

^


yep.

 

[ahittle]

Why can't we just go back to 1983?

 

[tryan101]

Why can't we just go back to 1983?

mullets. thats why.

 

[corianderstem]

Why can't we just go back to 1983?

Because then I'd only be 10, and there's no way my parents would ever let me go to a U2 concert.

 

[Galeongirl]

Because then I'd only be 10, and there's no way my parents would ever let me go to a U2 concert.

I'd be -6. I don't think I'd be able to see them that way.

 

[dragmio]

I hope U2 aren't cheating with Unknown Caller. They need to bring those birds on stage, not hide them somewhere underneath.

Birds are animals. Sequencers are machines. Musicians are humans.

Don't you think humans should be treated differently? With some dignity, for example? And not get walled in by bunch of speakers to support the myth of "the four man band"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHZQP1W8gAk&feature=related

 

[elevated_u2_fan]

Birds are animals. Sequencers are machines. Musicians are humans.

Don't you think humans should be treated differently? With some dignity, for example? And not get walled in by bunch of speakers to support the myth of "the four man band"?

oh man...

yes, those poor musicians! Having to make a more than decent living but being forced in to tight undignified spaces behind speakers and under the stage!

Yeah, I'm sure they are all sitting there crying every night because no one can see them...

And as for this whole "four man band" myth, who really cares at the end of the day? U2 are not holding these people hostage or anything, they choose not to show them and I bet if you ask them these musicians they don’t care. And we all know they are there, it’s a fact of live music. Just because U2 chose to keep that part of their live show under wraps doesn't make them sort of evil musical entity... Do you hate your parents now that you found out about the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus?

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

^

 

[Billy Rotten]

I wouldn't see the harm in having the other performers on the stage, even behind the amps, e.t.c. Imagine the members of Pink Floyd with their percussionist, background singers, saxophonist, second keyboardist, all under the stage.

 

[elevated_u2_fan]

I don't see the harm either, but in the same regard, I don't see the harm in hiding them as well.

 

[Galeongirl]

oh man...

yes, those poor musicians! Having to make a more than decent living but being forced in to tight undignified spaces behind speakers and under the stage!

Yeah, I'm sure they are all sitting there crying every night because no one can see them...

And as for this whole "four man band" myth, who really cares at the end of the day? U2 are not holding these people hostage or anything, they choose not to show them and I bet if you ask them these musicians they don’t care. And we all know they are there, it’s a fact of live music. Just because U2 chose to keep that part of their live show under wraps doesn't make them sort of evil musical entity... Do you hate your parents now that you found out about the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus?

 

[dragmio]

I wouldn't see the harm in having the other performers on the stage, even behind the amps, e.t.c. Imagine the members of Pink Floyd with their percussionist, background singers, saxophonist, second keyboardist, all under the stage.

Or the Rolling Stones etc... In fact I'm not aware of any other band hiding extra musicians. Why do it at all?

And a lot of people don't know it. Moreover, a lot of fans don't know it, believe me. In another forum I have a very hard time convincing a fan that there are hidden musicians on U2 concerts at all. He believes it's all sequencers triggered by The Edge.

As for people who don't see any harm in putting a person in a box as long as he/she doesn't complain and gets paid, are you by any chance from the U.S.? Don't bother answering that one...