by Erik

I've seen varying reviews of this show. This was my 3rd U2 show and 1st on this tour. I thought the audience was as lively as any other U2 show I've seen. Everyone around me stayed standing for nearly the entire show. I think they only sat down for the encore break.

However, I do agree there was some energy lacking. It wasn't much, but I don't think I'd blame it on the audience fully. The setlist was not smooth. It was great during the 2nd half, but the show didn't start very smoothly.

City of Blinding Lights is not a bad intro. It works as Streets did in the past. However, it is something that people really want to listen to rather than get really energetic as they would if Vertigo would open.

I think the transitions were very rough and that takes a lot of energy away from the fans. I was especially bothered by the transition to Where the Streets Have No Name, which is usually done very smoothly. Last, the fans were definitely disinterested in "The Ocean". It was sad seeing so many people leave the floor during that song. I paid $170/ticket, songs like "The Ocean" are what add value to the show.

Anyway, I would rank the show slightly behind the Elevation show I saw in Sacramento in 2001, but still miles ahead of the Popmart show I saw in Oakland in 1997.

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