U2...what's wrong with them?

Gibson

The only thing "wrong" with U2 is their lack of setlist variance. I know they have too many songs (and hits) to fit into one show, but it would be nice to have some sense of unpredictability seeing them live.

nicknyr15

Gibson said:

The only thing "wrong" with U2 is their lack of setlist variance. I know they have too many songs (and hits) to fit into one show, but it would be nice to have some sense of unpredictability seeing them live.

Agreed. They did a good job on the vertigo tour. 

Poncier

Your best chance of set list variance is to see multiple shows in one of their bigger markets (NYC. Boston, Chicago and maybe LA or SF in the US and London & Dublin in Europe).
Seeing them in Boston I've seen some rare songs (Crystal Ballroom, one of only 2 times played, Fast Cars, Spanish Eyes to name a few). But you won't get that in the majority of markets. And for them set list variance is only a few songs, they just aren't Pearl Jam or even close, never have been, never will. Some of it is the show being "scripted" if you will, tied to the technology of the day they are touring with. But even back before ZooTV when they played with a bare bones stage, their variance was always minimal at best.

mr bungle

while most of the Spere setlist was locked in, I did appreciate that they had some fun with the 4-5 song mid (turntable) set section.  Lots of fun surprises in that spot during the run.

Zod

Gibson said:

The only thing "wrong" with U2 is their lack of setlist variance. I know they have too many songs (and hits) to fit into one show, but it would be nice to have some sense of unpredictability seeing them live.

That's the norm though.  Most bands play the same setlist every night, and maybe sub out 1 or 2 songs at best.  Pearl Jam is the exception to the norm.  There's not many bigger acts that mix up their setlists every night.  It means you need to memorize 100+ song instead of 25. You also need a really dedicated hardcore audience that knows the material or it'll fall flat.

It's why I generally catch U2, Foo Fighters, Metallica every couple of tours, because it usually doesn't change that much. 

brianlux

Zod said:

Gibson said:

The only thing "wrong" with U2 is their lack of setlist variance. I know they have too many songs (and hits) to fit into one show, but it would be nice to have some sense of unpredictability seeing them live.

That's the norm though.  Most bands play the same setlist every night, and maybe sub out 1 or 2 songs at best.  Pearl Jam is the exception to the norm.  There's not many bigger acts that mix up their setlists every night.  It means you need to memorize 100+ song instead of 25. You also need a really dedicated hardcore audience that knows the material or it'll fall flat.

It's why I generally catch U2, Foo Fighters, Metallica every couple of tours, because it usually doesn't change that much. 

I'm impressed when anybody who is past middle age (that would include Bono and Ed) can remember the chords and lyrics to as many songs as those guys do.  It gets hard when you get older, and it gets harder sooner for some people than others.  Wait till they get into their 70's!  I've been play my acoustic version of songs like The Replacements "Left of the Dial" for 35 plus years.  I must have played that song at least a thousand times without the lyrics in front of me... until this last year or so.  I usually get it right, but not always. 

So kudos to Bono and Ed, and how it is that those guys are still out there doing it!

beano.79

Planet of Sound said:

HesCalledDyer said:

I'll say it. Outside of The Joshua Tree, Pop is my favorite U2 album. It's absolutely fucking phenomenal!

I’d go further and say it’s the best album of U2, and I have little interest in anything else they’ve done outside of a few 80s/early 90s singles.

Completely agree, Pop is the only U2 album I like. I dont hate any U2 stuff, but this album is the only one I'll choose to listen to.

Gern Blansten

I was in Vegas before Ohana and caught the U2 movie at the Sphere. It was basically just a replay of one of their shows but not the full show.

First off...amazing fucking venue. Just has to be seen to be believed.

If I would have walked in after the thing started I would have swore they were down there on stage. Just unbelievable clarity.

We were in the 300 level and the stage is much closer than I had expected after seeing videos online, etc.

Poncier

Gern Blansten said:

I was in Vegas before Ohana and caught the U2 movie at the Sphere. It was basically just a replay of one of their shows but not the full show.

First off...amazing fucking venue. Just has to be seen to be believed.

If I would have walked in after the thing started I would have swore they were down there on stage. Just unbelievable clarity.

We were in the 300 level and the stage is much closer than I had expected after seeing videos online, etc.

My sister and her husband saw it just after it opened and said same thing. You almost didn't know it was a movie.

But the real thing can't be beat. Was a great show. Venue is a  modern marvel.

Eraserhead

Bono