The CLAW Part 4 - (INCL. SPOILERS)

[vaz02]

Love the new pic on U2.Com

http://media.u2.com/non_secure/images/splash/US360_3.jpg

Nomination for picture of the tour.

 

[Bonochick]

Wow.

 

[nielsgov]

That's a great pic.

 

[ouizy]

Wow - two NYC shows are over - they were amazing. NYC2 was far better than NYC1 in almost every aspect (setlist, energy, weather etc...)

From a stage geek standpoint, I was in awe. After months of speculating here about what it was going to look and sound like - it was quite breathtaking actually seeing the Claw.

What I loved about its setting in Giants Stadium is that the feet pretty much extended to the side walls of the field, so there really was not a ton of room behind the Red Zones and the back and side areas seemed filled (almost 360 )

I spent a bunch of time shuffling around the parking lot in which the band cordoned off a huge amount of space. I have to say that before seeing the show it is easy to guess that there is a big infrastructure to get this thing built, but actually wandering through it and seeing was astounding.

Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me, but after driving there and back, there were multiple locations where the trucks were kept for various reasons (most of the Claw assembly steel was kept on flatbeds pretty far away behind the Meadowlands horse racetrack - kind o ffunny seeing it parke way out there...)

I tried to count all the trucks (a subject that has come up here over and over) and it was easily over the 40 we have been talking about. When you count the Upstaging red tractor trailers there are probably about 40 of those, then there are the flatbeds, then there are the tractor trailers filled with merch boxes, then there are the cranes, then there are the cherry pickers, then there are the forklifts.

There were about 12 crew tour buses that I counted and a crazy amount of golf carts, small flatbeds to take some of the steel pieces inside etc.

As last night was a load out night it was very interesting to see many of the steel carts used to haul the set pieces waiting to be loaded. Also I found interesting there was a large area dedicated to steel crates of "spares" of pretty much everything.

Not sure if anyone else here cares all that much about this crap, but it really go my blood going after reading all about it to finally see stuff with the StageCo logo on it and pictures of stuff that we saw being erected in Belgium so many months ago.

The Claw itself is an amazing piece of architecture. When seen with all the house lights on before the opening act - it just looks so industrial, once th elights go down, it completely transforms itself almost into an amorphous thing. It is totally crazy, and when you look at its feet, to think that they are carrying 200 tons of weight is absolutely astounding.

So in essence after finally seeing it - it totally blew my mind, went past all my expectations, and I am now jealous of those that have not seen int yet who have been posting here. You are going to love this show.

The thing that made me laugh the most was that somone in the crew took a paint marker and wrote Bon Jovi Green Stage on one of the pieces of steel.

 

[bonocomet]

Thanks ouizy I love hearing about it after all our watching it come in to existence and getting so excited over every tiny hint and photo we'd find. I KNOW I am going to be in awe when I see it. Still about month to go for me.

 

[Mrs. Garrison]

good write up.

10-12 & 10-18

cant wait

 

[OrARoundabout]

Here is my Claw Porn from Giants Statium (24th)


Me thinks the Claw is hungry for some MOFO or HMTMKMKM

 

[propagandau2boy]

Here is my Claw Porn from Giants Statium (24th)


Me thinks the Claw is hungry for some MOFO or HMTMKMKM

nice! yes

 

[Melpop]

Here is my Claw Porn from Giants Statium (24th)


Me thinks the Claw is hungry for some MOFO or HMTMKMKM

Hi there,

I was sitting at about the same angle at the same show. Didn't the claw leg obstruct your view? I barely saw Bono or The Edge! I was quite upset, especially having paid 250$ a ticket.

 

[ouizy]

How were these seats $250???

I paid much less for lower tier and had full frontage for both nights.

I can see how you would be upset, but those suckers did move around a lot!

 

[Melpop]

How were these seats $250???

I paid much less for lower tier and had full frontage for both nights.

I can see how you would be upset, but those suckers did move around a lot!

Well... we took the most expensive ones (we were at section 112 row 28), thinking they would be the best. Heh... I guess I was wrong. It sad that U2 didn't consider this while making the stage.

And for the moving around.. I didn't see them moving around much... so I guess it's the claws fault again. I hate that claw... even though I think I'm the only one that doesn't like it!

 

[ramblin rose]

Hi there,

I was sitting at about the same angle at the same show. Didn't the claw leg obstruct your view? I barely saw Bono or The Edge! I was quite upset, especially having paid 250$ a ticket.

Next time that happens to you, go to the courtesy desk at the stadium. They will move you to other seats.

 

[dazzledbylight]

I would have to disagree quickly b/c i have to leave with Ouizy

in that I think BOTH shows were fantastic!

I was at the Outer Circle Rail about 12 +/- people or so left of center
NO LOSS of energy in the crowd and the guys as they came around on the circle, and they sounded great in singing, playing . Weds 9/23

and up thurs 9/24
95% of the way and 3/4's back where i could take in The Claw's full extravaganza!

More about The Claw next time!

 

[kohoutek]

Well... we took the most expensive ones (we were at section 112 row 28), thinking they would be the best. Heh... I guess I was wrong. It sad that U2 didn't consider this while making the stage.

And for the moving around.. I didn't see them moving around much... so I guess it's the claws fault again. I hate that claw... even though I think I'm the only one that doesn't like it!

Finally caught the tour in Raleigh last night, and I agree with you. The claw, and the entire stage setup, serve to do nothing but to isolate the band from even more people. There are essentially no good seats at this show. If you're there to see a damn claw do all sorts of tricks, you may enjoy it. If you are there to see U2, unless you're one of the few who are on front rail and or 6 feet tall in the pit, you ought to be upset. I know I am. I am disgusted with U2 and this tour and I hope they do something less constraining and isolating next time.

 

[BVS]

And for the moving around.. I didn't see them moving around much... so I guess it's the claws fault again. I hate that claw... even though I think I'm the only one that doesn't like it!

I don't know, I have a hard time buying this. I've seen LOTS of videos on youtube from similar angles and had no problem seeing the band. Unless Bono stayed put the whole concert and you just happened to have that perfect angle then I just don't know how this is possible.

Plus like said before if they were truly obstructed you could have gotten other seats, they do have seats set aside for this type of thing. Something to keep in mind for the future.

 

[Melpop]

I don't know, I have a hard time buying this. I've seen LOTS of videos on youtube from similar angles and had no problem seeing the band. Unless Bono stayed put the whole concert and you just happened to have that perfect angle then I just don't know how this is possible.

Plus like said before if they were truly obstructed you could have gotten other seats, they do have seats set aside for this type of thing. Something to keep in mind for the future.

Yeah, but trust me we didn't see anything. People all around us were complaining. It didn't cross my mind to ask someone to change seats, didn't think it was a possibility. Anyway, this is definitely the last show I'm seeing of this tour. I was planning on going another time but I got too annoyed and dissapointed. I'm glad most people enjoyed the show, I just wish everyone could.

 

[coolian2]

there's no way that one tiny leg obstructs anything for long.

 

[ouizy]

Finally caught the tour in Raleigh last night, and I agree with you. The claw, and the entire stage setup, serve to do nothing but to isolate the band from even more people. There are essentially no good seats at this show. If you're there to see a damn claw do all sorts of tricks, you may enjoy it. If you are there to see U2, unless you're one of the few who are on front rail and or 6 feet tall in the pit, you ought to be upset. I know I am. I am disgusted with U2 and this tour and I hope they do something less constraining and isolating next time.

As a huge fan of this concept I am disappointed that others are walking away from this show disappointed.

I have stated from day one that the stage should be in the center of the stadium, and now I think the actual playing surface should have been a bit bigger.

However, I do have to say that if I paid $250 a ticket I would have either:

1) spoken up and demanded my seat be moved
2) gotten the hell up and just moved to another location. At both shows I attended there were tons of people moving around, and if you were a nice person and asked me to stand next to me because the claw leg was in your way, I would have definitely let you strand next to me.

I was at the other end of the stadium and although the band kind of looked like peas on stage, I though the show was exhilirating and the sound of the songs was fantastic.

To be disgusted with the band for trying to open more sightlines for more people in the building seems a bit much.

I really do not understand these theories. It is unfortunate that you might be one of a few hundred people who had their sight blocked, but I am sure there was a remedy.

This tour pushes the stadium concert envelope (not far enough in my opinion) by trying to open up the building.

I actually thought the Claw looked smaller in person than the photos suggested.

 

[kramwest1]

I had a more obstructed view sitting on the side of the Popmart stage than sitting on the side of the CLAW. I think the North American audience has been spoiled with arena shows.

I really believe the CLAW is the best way to do stadiums. I agree that it should be in the middle of the stadiums though. If the legs obstruct your view, then you definitely should be able to move. But, I think if the CLAW was in the middle of the pitch, the band would have to move around more, and then everyone would get a fairly equal view of them.


Mark

 

[hibricc]

I had a more obstructed view sitting on the side of the Popmart stage than sitting on the side of the CLAW. I think the North American audience has been spoiled with arena shows.

I really believe the CLAW is the best way to do stadiums. I agree that it should be in the middle of the stadiums though. If the legs obstruct your view, then you definitely should be able to move. But, I think if the CLAW was in the middle of the pitch, the band would have to move around more, and then everyone would get a fairly equal view of them.


Mark

I think a center-stage would really set the band up for failure, since there would be even more people feeling ignored. I believe the band members are just not comfortable (yet?) playing equally to the rearstage seats - no matter how much those tickets cost. Think about it - for 30 years of gigs, their focus has been on the people in front. What makes everyone (including the band) think they can simply flip that mental switch, and perform in an entirely new way?

 

[kingofsorrow]

the claw is in tampa folks. i passed the stadium on my way to the airport this morning and there it was, taunting me with it's beauty.

 

[Melpop]

there's no way that one tiny leg obstructs anything for long.

Apparently it can and thank you for insinuating that I'm making this up. I guess the complaints of the people in my section must have been voices in my head as well. It's all about angles, not everyone can get that.

I've seen other people write about the same experience, so I came on here because it's a large online community. I guess it's not a good place to go when you have a negative comment about a stage.

I'm not a complainer and during the show, the option of asking for new seats didn't occur to me for a sold out show of 80 000 people. I'm not used to it, I usually expect to see.

Anyway, point taken... I shouldn't have come on here. Thanks to those that have responded kindly, I appreciate it.

 

[bonocomet]

Goin up in Cowboys Stadium. Posted by FairyGodmother

"And yes...for those inquiring minds, they had to raise the TV up 22 feet. At a cost of $250,000 to the U2 concert promoter"

 

[Shawn Bonneau]

Nice!

SMB

 

[BVS]

Apparently it can and thank you for insinuating that I'm making this up. I guess the complaints of the people in my section must have been voices in my head as well. It's all about angles, not everyone can get that.

I've seen other people write about the same experience, so I came on here because it's a large online community. I guess it's not a good place to go when you have a negative comment about a stage.

I'm not a complainer and during the show, the option of asking for new seats didn't occur to me for a sold out show of 80 000 people. I'm not used to it, I usually expect to see.

Anyway, point taken... I shouldn't have come on here. Thanks to those that have responded kindly, I appreciate it.

It's just hard for us to conceive, for every photo or youtube has shown otherwise. Even the photo you commented on being close to your perspective still had A LOT of stage still showing, so to say you couldn't see anything is hard for some of us to understand.

 

[BVS]

Damn, that stadium is huge!!!

 

[Canadiens1131]

The Claw itself is an amazing piece of architecture. When seen with all the house lights on before the opening act - it just looks so industrial, once th elights go down, it completely transforms itself almost into an amorphous thing. It is totally crazy, and when you look at its feet, to think that they are carrying 200 tons of weight is absolutely astounding.

So in essence after finally seeing it - it totally blew my mind, went past all my expectations, and I am now jealous of those that have not seen int yet who have been posting here. You are going to love this show.

The way I feel about the whole tour....

EDIT: And the new Cowboys stadium finally is the first venue to make the Claw its bitch.

This is a slightly sad day for the tour

 

[ouizy]

Goin up in Cowboys Stadium. Posted by FairyGodmother

"And yes...for those inquiring minds, they had to raise the TV up 22 feet. At a cost of $250,000 to the U2 concert promoter"

Thoughts:

1. Sweet fucking shots. How did you get access?
2. That stadium is huge - Claw looks small
3. Interesting about the Dallas screen - would be kind of cool if Willie figured out a creative way to fire that sucker up for some part of the show, but I think it would dwarf his toys.
4. I love those trucks - I would love to see a photo of them caravaning down some highway with the Claw's bits and pieces in tow. All we ever see is the structure magically showing up and being constructed in a new stadium - damn I wish some TV show followed this tour - the logistics must be mond blowing.

 

[bonocomet]

Thoughts:

1. Sweet fucking shots. How did you get access?
2. That stadium is huge - Claw looks small
3. Interesting about the Dallas screen - would be kind of cool if Willie figured out a creative way to fire that sucker up for some part of the show, but I think it would dwarf his toys.
4. I love those trucks - I would love to see a photo of them caravaning down some highway with the Claw's bits and pieces in tow. All we ever see is the structure magically showing up and being constructed in a new stadium - damn I wish some TV show followed this tour - the logistics must be mond blowing.

ouizy

These are not my shots (wish they were!) see the top of the post where I put "Posted by FairyGodmother", sorry about that!
I'll find the original link, they are on Twitter and you may want to check them out in case they post additional info later. There was also a bit more text beneath each photo I realized after that I forgot to include.

Here it is:
the photos
Twitpic / FairyG0dm0ther

original Twitter link
Fairy Godmother (FairyG0dm0ther) on Twitter

About your item #4. Totally agree. Was just talking about that to my husband last night. Would love to see those trucks on the road!

Had a question also if anyone might know the answer. Do they contract out the cranes (and their operators) in each city or do those actually travel too? Seems like they would be a bit much to travel but then again I wouldn't doubt anything about this massive tour.

 

[Partyslammer]

Forgive me if this has been answered before (this thread is too huge to sort through at this point) but is there two sets of stages so one can be constructed while the band play on the other one or are they using just one setup this tour?