jick
Refugee
Back in `91, the public was hot for U2 after the successful JT-R&H era. The stolen tapes addded more fuel to the fire. Knowing that everyone would buy U2, no matter what kind of thing they put out - U2 released "The Fly" as their first single knowing fully well that it wasn't radio friendly and was a big departure from the sound fans are accustomed to hearing. To make things worst, the made The Fly single a limited only release that would be available for three weeks only or thereabout to ensure they can ram it in the ears of their audience. When asked about this plan, U2 said they did it because they could - they could abuse their position.
Now, it's 2005. U2 already have a sold-out tour in the bag. No matter the backlash or the negative reaction, the tickets have already been sold. So U2 can do anything they please and there is no risk. So what do they do? They give us a setlist full of songs that don't even belong among their "Best Of" of either era. We get Electric Co, An Cat Dubh, Into The Heart, Bullet The Blue Sky, Running To Stand Still, Zoo Station, The Fly, and 40 - that adds up to 8 songs or more than 1/3rd of their songs of their setlist are devoted to non-Best Of songs.
U2 are at an era now where they have new found fans thanks to their resurgence with ATYCLB and HTDAAB. So naturally, it was a good call to exclude anything POP from this tour. But to help let these new fans rediscover U2's back catalogue, I feel U2 should have used the Best Of route - or at least have more songs that are recognizable and not give 8 songs that aren't Best Ofs (a few would be fine but 8 is too many). This would be counter-productive to letting fans recognize their hits.
Rather than play their tried and tested hits, U2 decided to dust off never played songs from their past which were never popular, let alone fan favorites and then they play it with many technical and lyrical botching mistakes. Why do U2 do this? Because they can. They have already sold out their tour, and by the time the tour will hit Mexico, Australia, South America, South Africa and other places in the 4th leg - U2 would still sellout tickets thanks to the fact that the people there are U2-deprived.
U2 have abused their positions by giving us a tour that plays a few of their hits, omits many popular hits, setup wise is just Elevation Tour part II, and their new bandwagon is the African-Awareness cause which they are ramming up people's throats.
In short, it's just the Elevation Tour with a less accessible setlist and an African awareness theme. I admire U2 for knowing what position they are in and for deciding to abuse this position once again. U2 know that they won't be in this position for long as their career is slowly winding down - so they might as well just have fun and dust off some old songs.
Cheers,
J
Now, it's 2005. U2 already have a sold-out tour in the bag. No matter the backlash or the negative reaction, the tickets have already been sold. So U2 can do anything they please and there is no risk. So what do they do? They give us a setlist full of songs that don't even belong among their "Best Of" of either era. We get Electric Co, An Cat Dubh, Into The Heart, Bullet The Blue Sky, Running To Stand Still, Zoo Station, The Fly, and 40 - that adds up to 8 songs or more than 1/3rd of their songs of their setlist are devoted to non-Best Of songs.
U2 are at an era now where they have new found fans thanks to their resurgence with ATYCLB and HTDAAB. So naturally, it was a good call to exclude anything POP from this tour. But to help let these new fans rediscover U2's back catalogue, I feel U2 should have used the Best Of route - or at least have more songs that are recognizable and not give 8 songs that aren't Best Ofs (a few would be fine but 8 is too many). This would be counter-productive to letting fans recognize their hits.
Rather than play their tried and tested hits, U2 decided to dust off never played songs from their past which were never popular, let alone fan favorites and then they play it with many technical and lyrical botching mistakes. Why do U2 do this? Because they can. They have already sold out their tour, and by the time the tour will hit Mexico, Australia, South America, South Africa and other places in the 4th leg - U2 would still sellout tickets thanks to the fact that the people there are U2-deprived.
U2 have abused their positions by giving us a tour that plays a few of their hits, omits many popular hits, setup wise is just Elevation Tour part II, and their new bandwagon is the African-Awareness cause which they are ramming up people's throats.
In short, it's just the Elevation Tour with a less accessible setlist and an African awareness theme. I admire U2 for knowing what position they are in and for deciding to abuse this position once again. U2 know that they won't be in this position for long as their career is slowly winding down - so they might as well just have fun and dust off some old songs.
Cheers,
J
I do appreciate the suggestion though. 
