So let's talk on this romanticized quote by Larry about not wanting to become the U2 jukebox.
So first... there are a few things wrong with the quote itself. There is insinuation that because Springsteen is joyous on stage, that it's not hard work - which could not be further from the truth. Nobody works harder on stage than Springsteen, the true heir to James Brown's stage presence. Hard work and joy aren't separate things in competition with each other.
Second, what exactly changed from this point on as far as U2 being the jukebox churning out hits? What did Larry's "Springsteen" quote really lead to?
Before this quote, U2 on your played songs from their last album mixed in with the hits, with static, unchanging setlists.
After this tour, U2 played songs from their latest album mixed in with the hits, with static, unchanging setlists.
They loosened up, sure. They added technology to amazing success, yes. But the basic setlist structure never changed. If one were to argue that U2 were turning into the U2 jukebox on your during Lovetown, then they certainly remained that for the rest of their careers... only with nicer bells and whistles.
They certainly didn't take any ques from Springsteen in their setlist designs. They focused more on the theatrical aspects as opposed to actually playing more of their catalog.
So this idea that they are now all of a sudden turning into the U2 jukebox Larry was afraid they were turning into on Lovetown is bullshit. They play the same setlist structure today as they did then - new album, the hits, ignore everything else.
If anything, they'll be playing more "rare" songs on this tour than any other tour they've done. They also are doing something that the inspiration for Larry's quote did last year (although I'm sure with much less setlist movement).
Also, Larry's what, 26-27 at that time? Tell us again about how your opinions in your 20s are the same as in your 50s.
But back to the quote... if nothing changed in setlist structure, what was his quote really about? Probably Larry not wanting to be the joyless, stoic assholes U2 could come off as in the 80s. Larry was afraid of it becoming just a job.
THAT is what his jukebox quote was about; THAT is what actually changed, and THAT has nothing to do with this tour.