by Bonobear

My 14th U2 concert. Lifelong fan here, so my criticism is dealt with nothing but love here. They are still the "super bowl" every night!!!!

Boys were in great form tonight...whenever Bono could remember the lyrics that is. We were fortunate enough to get Crumbs From Your Table, a personal highlight for me since it seemed that after two whole legs of the tour I thought we would never get to hear this song, one of the best from HTDAAB.

Certain songs need to just go away though and I don't fault the songs themselves. I fault U2's need to have them at every single show they ever do like a crutch i.e. Streets, Pride, One, BTBS, SBS, WOWY...

It's great that they are one of the few mammoth bands that are left that actually TOUR their new albums. It's always the new songs that get me wanting to shell out over $100 per ticket to see them.

But I think the string of main set closers needs to be rethought. Pride, Streets, and One are just tired. Those of us who have seen them multiple times can predict the songs as they start coming and that is not a good thing.

Bullet the Blue Sky used to be one of my highlights but the way they are playing it now is dreadful. Sadly, Beautiful Day was also seemingly rushed through as well. Miracle Drug was great as was Sometimes.

Stuck in a Moment was beautiful...I love that they keep Michael Hutchence as close to their hearts as he is to mine...loved the comment about the Rockstar:INXS show...what were they thinking? LOL!

Yahweh was also lovely...loved the lyric, "Take this city and keep it safe." Very emotional!

With or Without You as the closer is just awful. All I wanted was to hear "40" since it seems that every single show I have attended has always been the one where they decide NOT to play it.

My buddy Tony and I have been waiting to hear this for several tours now since he has never experienced it live. I have experienced it since I am a fan from the 80s but he came aboard with the reinvention of Achtung Baby so I want him to hear the absolute power that this song commands from an audience. Nothing compares to it...nothing!

Again, we got screwed...


Don't get me wrong....awesome show. U2 is better on one of their OFF nights than any other band can be on their BEST night. The crowd was the loudest crowd I can ever remember (except for Duran Duran's screaming girls back in 1984) and there were some truly riveting moments like Miss Sarajevo and Electric Co, which made me VERY HAPPY to hear! I love it when the Edge gets to rock out.

But there were not enough WOW moments to make me want to pay over $100 a ticket in the near future. I know that they don't want to be sponsored ala the Rolling Stones, but I would gladly endure seeing the corporate feces of Budweiser on my ticket stub as opposed to needing a loan for a small group of friends to experience U2...god forbid hear "40."

I also hope next time out they remember that they have more songs in their cataloge that we want to hear, especially "40." Take a friggin chance boys...play Zooropa or Ultraviolet and make your shows CAN'T MISS!

Again...my favorite band PERIOD.

Return to previous page | Post a Review of this show!