by Brian

It's 1 in the morning - just back from the show. I was talking with friends and my wife all of the way home about what I felt was missing from this show.
Just for reference - I've been to 5 U2 shows - 1 ZOOTV, 2 Popmart, and 2 Elevation.
* Vertigo was weak. Bono essentially spoke the song instead of singing it. I have heard the boot from San Diego and it's played normally there and it rocks. Why mess around with one of the songs people are there to hear? Also, the Stories for Boys part wasn't there which I absolutely loved hearing from San Diego.
* That leads me to the next problem: Nothing happened out of the oridnary at this show. No one got pulled on stage, there were no song surprises, etc... The show seemed as cookie cutter as possible.
* on a personal note I love it when U2 shows their genius and intertwines multiple songs into each other (such as the Stories for Boys segment being included in Vertigo) and they did none of that tonight. They did add the Hands that Built America to the end of Bullet - but that was it. I don't know about anyone else but I think it's one of the highlights of seeing U2 - to see them come up with new ways of making their music connect with itself and make connections within their own music.
* I thought the stage was magnificent. I also don't understand why it's only lit for about 1/2 of the show? Why? Are they afraid the audience is going to get tired of it? I think sometimes the design crew out thinks themselves - it looks fantastic, the lights are brilliant - do more with it!!!!!! Same goes for the drop down lights. I thought the production of City of Blinding Lights was the highlight of the evening. The look and delivery of that song was fantastic. Unfortunately, I felt many others could have used more punch and were underutilized.
* I think I've seen it mentioned before - Bono hardly uses the ellipse at all. If someone would have told me that Adam Clayton would spend more time circling the ellipse than anyone else I would have thought they were crazy - but guess what? He did!
* Now, after all of these things did I still enjoy the show? Yes, of course - I'm going again in Sept. and I look forward to it. There were many highlights and the band sounded great - so did Bono. However, when he spoke he sounded a bit hoarse. He may have been ill tonight which would explain a lot. But, his singing was great and he did show a lot of energy. Overall the show felt a little flat and by the numbers. My wife says I have unrealistic expectations...I don't know. These guys have blown my mind so many times that I just can't help it. I'm sure I'll feel more of the magic next time...

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