by BBE

This was my second Chicago show (Saturday being the first) and 15th overall dating back to 1985. Better than Saturday's show, as technical difficulties with ear pieces/audio levels, especially the first 5 or 6 songs then intermittently thereafter, seemed to frustrate Bono and foul his mood. There was very little spontaneity and audience interaction on Saturday, which probably contributed to the “going through the motions” lackluster reviews given by the Chicago Trib’s Greg Kot, and the borderline defamatory one by the Sun Time’s Jim Derogatis. A member of the traveling road crew told me last night before the show that the band called a crew meeting before sound check Monday, telling them they were upset and embarrassed by how Saturday’s show went and that everybody, themselves included, had to step it up. Big time. Fortunately they did that on Tuesday.

A few highlights: City of Blinding Lights is a MUCH better opener that Love and Peace ever could or will be; Cry/Electric Co retained its raw edginess and had me feeling I was actually watching U2 circa 1981—amazing; Bono pulled a young boy (sounded like his name was Gareth), up on stage during ‘Into the Heart’, then afterwards introducing himself with, “Hi Gareth, my name is Paul. But I call myself ‘Bono’”; the audience driven intro and sing along with Elevation was fantastic; Bono was fully immersed in a soaring rendition of Sometimes….; while the Fly continues to be on of the most underappreciated live songs. It absolutely ROCKS. Original of the Species was a HUGE treat and sounded fantastic, with the first half featuring just Edge on piano and Bono signing (Bono dedicated it to his oldest daughter, Jordon (Jo Jo) who he said shares his May 10 birthday). And the ripping version of Vertigo to finish was a rare and fantastic treat. Very ‘old school’ U2. Some might be unaware that HTDAAB (and this tour, for that matter) seems to be a return to basics, and the roots of early U2. Back in the early years, especially during 1981’s Boy tour, the band didn’t have enough songs to play a full set list. Because they were a horrible cover band, they often repeated one or two songs (often 11 o’clock tick tock) twice during their set. Closing last night’s show with Vertigo was reminiscent of this and paid homage to their storied past while focusing on the here and now. Those of us in attendance are lucky to have seen and experienced that.


A few critiques: I agree with those that say Streets doesn’t carry quite the punch as it has before, but perhaps that has more to do with our own expectations than any fault or deficiency of the bands. And for me, it’s a bummer that Bono only discarded his sunglasses during Sometimes You Can’t Make it…., then not again until final encore. In tours past, it always felt like the ‘real’ Bono was finally in the house, and the show was ready for true ‘lift off’ when he dumped the shades for good after the first few songs.


Overall, a good show, a 7.5 or 8 out of 10, though it has yet to rise to the level of a Joshua Tree or Elevation show (which were similarly stripped down, musically driven, with no frills). Admittedly, it’s tough, and probably unrealistic, to compare those tours, as this show has a much different vibe. U2 seem to have an unrelenting, “in your face”, heavy defiance to it on this tour. This is not a fluffy, “fun” or ironic U2 show. They’re out to kick your ass, stand up for what they believe in, and prove to themselves and their fans that they are worthy of the accolades they received and the expectations placed upon them.


It’s been my experience that the later leg shows (after the band returns from Europe and the show has found its groove (in terms of set list, running order, etc.) are usually better. Looking forward to their return in fall.

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