Setlist Discussion Part II - Spoilers Allowed, Enter At Your Own Risk

[djerdap]

They don't need a better transition into Streets.

Streets is strong enough to stand on its own.

Agreed. This was a complete non-issue when watching the show. There is no segue or transition - there are no yeahyeahyeahs over the synth intro. The song is standing on its own. Would I prefer a big Zoo TV - Running to Stand Still segue? Sure, but I also like when the song simply starts instead of being subjected to an awkward intro, and Streets had a couple of those since the Vertigo (Tour) era.

One also benefits significantly from this as there are no political or campaign speeches before it.

 

[lazarus]

There is no segue or transition - there are no yeahyeahyeahs over the synth intro.

Well we do have Bono singing Moment of Surrender over the intro, which isn't bad per se but I do prefer the pure instrumental.

Weren't people complaining about a similar thing during the Vertigo Tour, when Bono was doing some chant about Africa over it?

Neither sound terrible, but for me it takes away from the power of that celestial music.

 

[trevgreg]

Agreed. This was a complete non-issue when watching the show. There is no segue or transition - there are no yeahyeahyeahs over the synth intro. The song is standing on its own. Would I prefer a big Zoo TV - Running to Stand Still segue? Sure, but I also like when the song simply starts instead of being subjected to an awkward intro, and Streets had a couple of those since the Vertigo (Tour) era.

Agreed as well. I never once thought of a "bad transition" at either show. People responded to Vertigo, and then responded to Streets once it finally started up. It was fine.

 

[djerdap]

Well we do have Bono singing Moment of Surrender over the intro, which isn't bad per se but I do prefer the pure instrumental.

Weren't people complaining about a similar thing during the Vertigo Tour, when Bono was doing some chant about Africa over it?

Neither sound terrible, but for me it takes away from the power of that celestial music.

The African chants during Vertigo and the Desmond Tutu intro on 360 I've seen in Zagreb (the latter was usually the introduction to One, but there were exceptions and that time it came before Streets) were not great. I think they did deflate the momentum of the song.

I had no such qualms in the Sphere. It may not have been the best version musically of Streets I've heard - and Headache is right about those SOS lyrics since it threw the crowd off as they were singing along - but the intro was completely fine. I did not even realise that was the Moment of Surrender melody until later on. Bono did the chant in a quiet manner during my show. I did not find it intrusive at all.

The difference was that the political preaching in the intro during the 'celestial' part, which has been mostly unavoidable from Vertigo Tour onwards - as well-intended as it may be - was gone. Both for Streets and for One. Major plus for me. In fact, the show has the least amount of Bono preaching since the Elevation Tour or possibly even PopMart. The music is doing the talking and I find that very refreshing.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Well we do have Bono singing Moment of Surrender over the intro, which isn't bad per se but I do prefer the pure instrumental.



Weren't people complaining about a similar thing during the Vertigo Tour, when Bono was doing some chant about Africa over it?



Neither sound terrible, but for me it takes away from the power of that celestial music.

There's a big difference between a few subtle "oh oh ohhh oh oh ohhhs" vs a soliloquy on equality and screaming AFRICA! AFRICA! AFRICA! over and over again.

Bono has often added things to the intro to Streets. He said a prayer during Elevation, for example. But he was overly wordy on Vertigo.

Alas...

 

[dan_smee]

Today’s acoustic set odds:

RAH - $1.05
Greatest Hits - $12
Anything else - no bets taken

 

[DomCobb]

I'd take that bet if the last set they did (3 RAH + ISHF) counts as "Greatest Hits." Seems plausible that could be a new default.

 

[bobbvis]

They don't need a better transition into Streets.

Streets is strong enough to stand on its own.

What they DO need is to smack Bono upside the head until he stops singing the SOS lyrics instead of the original.

Ha no idea those were SOS lyrics as I haven't bothered to listen to more than 10 seconds of any SOS tune. I had just assumed it was Bono being Bono with lyrics.

 

[lazarus]

lol @ them still doing the R&H suite.

 

[Gonna Run 2 U]

lol @ them still doing the R&H suite.

For a band touting tech innovations over the years and launching sphere, they are pretty damn boring with what they play

 

[gvox]

My friend that went with me to the JT17 Indy show was the same way. From SBS thru BTBS he was going crazy because it was all songs he knew. Then comes side 2 of JT, and he was bored. Then the encore comes, with the early 2000s triplets, and he was super excited again

I refuse to believe anyone was bored during JT. I refuse.

 

[gvox]

The SOS / RnH suite feels 2 songs too long. Never been a huge fan of extended b-stage acoustic sets, but watching the original ZooTV show.. and it *almost feels like it gets on the verge of one too many then as well. Maybe it's a deliberate nod to the past

As for Streets....We are accustomed to just amazing otherworldly segues into Streets. It's never not made a ton of thematic, theatrical, spiritual, or musical sense. This one just doesn't do it, in spite of all the explanations I've heard. There's many other songs they could use there prior to Streets - AND have the MOS ad lib during the transition - and it goes to an entirely different place imo. Don't get me wrong.. it still took me to where I love so much about this band, and remains a top top favourite live moment for me. Im not shook at all. Just.. just... ah well.


I don't think we can be faulted for our expectations.. this band set the bar really fucking high, like about as high as the bar could be set, really. They created the standard.

 

[DomCobb]

When Love Comes to Town played tonight. You know, fair enough, RAH is not popular enough to get its own anniversary show, so it’s got a mini one here.

It also occurs to me that technically MLK is the only song they’ve done in the acoustic set that’s not on RAH in some form. Although I guess even that is in the film.

 

[dan_smee]

Good point. Heartland, Bullet and Hawkmoon next?

 

[DomCobb]

Good point. Heartland, Bullet and Hawkmoon next?

Pessimistic side says “of course not,” optimistic side says “why not?” Those three make the most sense to me in terms of profile.

Although I do wonder how an acoustic Bullet would sound (has it ever happened?), I mean the rhythm section carries that song but the screeching electric guitar is iconic. But it is a classic so it’d make sense.

I’d much prefer Hawkmoon or Heartland to either of the “Love” tracks. Apparently they’ve never performed Heartland live? That’s wild. That would be amazing to see and I wish it was the default fourth slot instead of Love Rescue Me.

 

[dan_smee]

Pessimistic side says “of course not,” optimistic side says “why not?” Those three make the most sense to me in terms of profile.

Although I do wonder how an acoustic Bullet would sound (has it ever happened?), I mean the rhythm section carries that song but the screeching electric guitar is iconic. But it is a classic so it’d make sense.

I’d much prefer Hawkmoon or Heartland to either of the “Love” tracks. Apparently they’ve never performed Heartland live? That’s wild. That would be amazing to see and I wish it was the default fourth slot instead of Love Rescue Me.

It has only ever been performed once - at the Joshua tree site for the JT30 film that was never released

 

[lazarus]

Good point. Heartland, Bullet and Hawkmoon next?

Good luck with that.

 

[dan_smee]

Good luck with that.

<insert McBain “that’s the joke” meme here>

 

[trevgreg]

When Love Comes to Town played tonight. You know, fair enough, RAH is not popular enough to get its own anniversary show, so it’s got a mini one here.

It also occurs to me that technically MLK is the only song they’ve done in the acoustic set that’s not on RAH in some form. Although I guess even that is in the film.

I thought Pride was also played at a show?

 

[Gonna Run 2 U]

Heartland would be a great opportunity to use the screen with visuals of America, Elvis etc

 

[rosephile]

I was in the 400s last night, and generally the crowd around me was into it, but the only thing that made *everyone* stand up was the intro to Streets.

 

[dan_smee]

I thought Pride was also played at a show?

Pride was on RAH

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

I mean .... sure, technically

 

[DomCobb]

Yeah that’s what I meant, technically Pride and ISHFWILF are on RAH. Whether that’s actually a factor in the band playing them, probably not, but it’s a fun bit of trivia.

From U2songs write up last night: Bono speaks again about the album segment in the middle of the show. He admits that the band has some other albums that the band are planning on playing later in the shows in Vegas, “when we get our shit together.”

2026 it is then.

 

[ascender_RS]

U2 just doing U2 things!

 

[lazarus]

From U2songs write up last night: Bono speaks again about the album segment in the middle of the show. He admits that the band has some other albums that the band are planning on playing later in the shows in Vegas, “when we get our shit together.”

Can't wait until they play acoustic Staring at the Sun, once, in February!

 

[DomCobb]

Notable from tonight:

- FIVE song acoustic set, same as last night plus ISHFWILF before Rescue Me
- Hear Us Coming during One for the first time at the Sphere
- Chorus of MOS sung before Streets

 

[Airseven]

Technical issues galore tonight.

 

[dstalksalot]

Technical issues galore tonight.

What happened?

 

[Airseven]

What happened?

Bono’s mic didn’t seem to be working properly for the first third of the show. Sounded muffled and lots of whistling feedback. He had a couple of side bar conversations with a tech and seemed to be escorted off the stage for a moment. Made a funny comment later about the sphere falling apart.