by hibricc

First of seven Boston Vertigo shows for me, #13 lifetime. Patty and I were in the first row of balcony section 314 (fan club presale tix), a great view but feeling very distant. First time I wore earplugs to a show, and what a difference! Vocals were a bit easier to understand, and next-day ringing was almost nil... highly recommended.

Got there late thanks to insane traffic around the Fleet, but apparently Kings of Leon is worth missing. In our seats by 8:30pm.

As for the show, below average for U2. The stage and lighting were truly incredible, but the band's performance felt programmed, with little audience interaction (nobody brought on-stage) and not a hint of spontaneity. Bono's voice was ragged, and it seemed he bailed on a lot of the high stuff (did he even sing the coda of One?).

Highlights were City of Blinding Lights, Elevation, Electric Co, Running to Stand Still, and Streets (of course).

Lowlights were the early sound mix (others agree, so it wasn't the earplugs), Pride, Zoo Station, Mysterious Ways (very spotty guitar work from Edge), and - believe it or not - "40", which felt like the band was just relieved to have made it through the show.

Let's face it, with U2, I set the bar higher than with any other band - only because I've seen them do such magical shows before, where they truly reach every fan in the building, and you feel like you're floating an inch off the floor. Tuesday just wasn't one of those nights.

Hoping for some magic in GA on Thursday....

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