I must preface this by saying I haven't been to a vertigo show, or indeed any U2 show. Unfortunately, they didn't tour Australia during elevation, and are yet to announce when/if they will tour here. I hope like hell they do tour early 2006 as rumoured, and will possibly disown them if they don't. I guess the point I'm making is that all I know about them live is from recordings and DVDs, photos etc.
I don't think this tour is as good as previous tours. The set in all seriousness is dull, the light curtains the one exception. The elipse is essentially the same as the heart. It's OK, I guess, because it puts more focus onto the band. I look forward to the outdoor shows in europe. I remember hearing a quote before the tour was announced that if U2 were to play in stadiums, it is a responsibility that they would take very seriously. With any luck, willie's working on a spectacular set for europe.
The setlists have been very static. They have an enormous catalogue of songs, but continuously play much the same set. There is no element of surprise apart from at the first few shows. They are playing the right quota of new songs in my opinion, but again, it's the same ones. Yahweh and Miracle Drug are weak songs on the album and live, and could be easily left out occassionally for crumbs from your table and a man and a woman in particular, or also for original of the species which I think they may have played once.
Also, as someone has already mentioned, most of the songs have already been performed with more passion, better sound, better version etc. How could the surrent version of SBS compare with the Rattle and Hum version. Elevation is different, but not the in your face rock tune that is needed on this tour (it needed to be scaled up, not down). One is too sentimental, and highlights Bono's efforts to NOT be political in the ways he used to be, now employing subtlety rather than rousing anger. It also relies on sequenced keyboard rather than Bono and Edge on guitar a la Zoo TV.
Much has been written about Bono and his drumming. It's a nice novelty, and I would love it if he did it well, but on some of the recordings i've heard he was completely off the beat. The same can be said for his tambourine intro to all because of you... or perhaps edge just wasn't playing in time with the tambourine! I feel Bono would be better served pulling his own guitar out every now and then... I love him on guitar, but it seems to be less and less that he plays. Does he play much guitar on this tour??? I think i can hear some extra guitar in all because of you during edge's solo. Hopefully it's not a sequencer. And as bad as bono is on the drums, Larry's keyboard, whilst an OK effort, is not up to scratch for the best band in thew world.
Anyway, just some food for thought for y'all...