by Brian Carrick

It was a lovely day in London. The temperature backed off to 24C (that's 75F 'in old money'). Humidity was down too. And we even saw the blue stuff and big yellow thing in the sky. The rain held off until Sunday.

I was three quarters of the way back, in the lower tier, on the left hand side, as you look at the stage. This was a mistake because the sound booth was on the left hand side, half way back, and the B stage appeared to be right of centre. This meant our view was restricted, as well as distant. The giant screen was essential for us plebs towards the back. I couldn't see the walkway between the two stages. Bono would magically appear on one stage or the other, then disappear again. Mysterious.

If you have a vote, head for the right hand side (assuming they use the same configuration each night).

The set list and content was much as expected, from reading this web page and various TV previews. Some things still took me by suprise:

They entered through the crowd, using the gap between the inner sanctum (how do you get in there?) and the rest, like boxers headed for the ring, Edge in the lead, Bono in the rear, with 'Pop Muzik' filling the air. They climbed up on the B stage and teleported to the A stage.

I like the way they stop playing Mofo for the first line: "Lookin' for to save my save my soul". Does this mean the whole show was confession on a grand scale?

I was also even more impressed with the big screen than I expected to be. I particularly liked the Leichtenstein-esque cartoon during the wonderful guitar break of Bullet the Blue Sky. The evolution of man cartoon was funny, ape to shopper. But the best shots, of course, are those of the band: Actually being able to see lips move, rather than wonder whether the white dot is Edge or Adam.

I preferred the confusion and madness of the Zooropa multiple screens, but I think much of that is to do with how they treat the camera. Eye contact didn't appear to be made with the camera until Hole me Thrill me... near the end. Perhaps this is why that was one of my favourite tracks.

Thanks to this page I knew the set list, but I am still suprised at it. The concert, for my wife and I, peaked with New Year's Day and Pride. Is this a new vogue: Play your encores first and get them out the way?

Of the new stuff, If You Wear That Velvet Dress stood out for me. But the audience reaction seemed to be stronger the older the song.

The Wembley sound was its usual appalling self under the old roof. They're knocking the stadium down and building it again soon. I hope they remember to build a roof that is friendly to us concert goers. I wished I was on the pitch, where the sound is much better, but my wife is small and hates crowds.

Fabulous concert. Wonderful evening. I wish every night could be like that (but cheaper and with better food).

At the end, Bono said: 'Thanks for coming out'. You're welcome. Anytime.

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