peterdiaz

i think its refreshing to see them as a band without bono playing guitars. Better energy. And there are plenty of songs they can play still.

I agree 100%. Not once during the last two shows in Montreal did I think: "This would be so much better if Bono were playing guitar."

I've only seen a couple shows on this tour (both this past weekend in Montreal) and I would not characterize them as stiff at all. Adam was really moving/dancing on Saturday night; Edge was hopping up and down at one point; Bono up and down the walkway (Larry's stuck behind a kit so we'll give him a pass!) The first set in particular is pretty heavily choreographed with the graphics that accompany the song and the incorporation of the screen into the performance, so I don't think much can be done there as far as getting loser.

I've seen them over 25 times dating back to the April '87 and I would put Saturday's show in my top 5.

Just back from the two shows. AMAZING. For me, a nod has to go to Saturday's show simply for its inclusion of Bad. Hearing a world premier of a song was pretty cool. And Angel of Harlem was just a lot of fun with Edge on the electric and the audience member coming up to finish guitar duties.

I think they did a great job in the first set of setting up a solid narrative of their Dublin youth. Having seen U2 25+ times now, I certainly understand the complaint that many of us "repeat viewers" have with the static setlist, but I really think that first set works great. I do think songs 2 - 4 could be swapped out every second show without adversely impacting the theme (Vertigo and I Will Follow could be switched up All Because of You and Gloria and still keep the rocking start; Out of Control and Electric Co. are already being swapped.)

Set 2 ... I think they could really mix that up from night to night: Even Better and Mysterious Way...I don't think those two need to be played together, every show. It would be nice to hear at least one song from No Line on the Horizon: Magnificent or I'll Go Crazy (album version). Songs that occupy slots 5 and 6 are already being swapped out and it would be easy and good for them to keep those songs completely different for each night of 3 + multi-night stands.

Bullet the Blue Sky - get rid of it! I have to say that the "updating" of it to focus on the "Hands-Up" and "I can't breathe" just doesn't have the same relevance in Canada (It's going to be interesting to see how it changes when they hit Europe.) And tone down the ranting during Pride. The crowd's participation dies out and for me, both nights, Bono's rant just went on too long and diminished the song's - and the rant's - power. Both night's Bono's vocals on Every Breaking Wave were just amazing. I think the duo version really allows the power of his voice to shine.

Previous to Friday night I would have thought that One was un-droppable. I have to say that I didn't miss it at all.

In truth, those are all minor quibbles. After not having seen them since Moncton the nights were just fantastic and U2 has once again set a new standard for staging (just incredible).

See you in Toronto!

Not sure about before the shows but Shawn Brady, who is the lead singer of Elevation, terrific U2 tribute band, is playing accoustic shows at Hurley's Irish Pub after each show. Sure to be playing lots of U2 favorites!

Is that near the Bell Centre?

Couldn't wait until July...zipping along to Montreal from Toronto.

Thanks for that. I received the same message but there is nothing new that people who bought GA would not have already known.

I'm looking for something more concrete along the lines of which gate for the GA lineup? Between what hours can people pick up wrist-bands? Can people leave once they have a wrist-band? What time do they need to return?

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply.

Pretty happy to read this: "NO reason to go in any earlier and definitely NO reason to wait in line for hours. "

Enjoy the shows you get to, everyone.

London or NYC seem to be the best options given the number of shows in each city and the fact that they don't have a release from either city.

I'm hoping for single concert with a DVD of a load of bonus tracks of songs that weren't part of the regular set.

Dropping right now (May 20, 12:14 EST)

looks like a maximum of single ticket purchase

Please do not include spoilers in your replies (thanks)

A few shows into the tour now and I imagine there are people who have been to multiple shows, so I have a quick question: Where is the best spot for those of us with GA tickets (not RedZone)? Judging from stage design alone, I'm guessing somewhere in the middle of the walkway, against the arena boards (...the better to appreciate the totality of the concert).

Looking forward to spoiler-free replies.

Thanks.

GAs are available right now.

Can I get a filter for the complaints?

Not clicking on a thread titled "Anyone else feel like a sucker" should really be the only filter you need.

I may have extra upper bowl ticket....I'll let the dust settle and plans finalize first.

thx.

Just bumping this up.

Again, any GA or not $300 ticket for the Saturday night show is what I'm looking for.

Thanks.

Peter

 

 

Certainly not to get into a PJ vs. U2 fight as I love both bands, but if you have ever been to a PJ show and been to a U2 show it should be pretty obvious what the difference is in cost for the tickets.

 

Indeed: video screens, fancy stages, and professionally produced videos.

 

Pretty hard to find fault with a PJ show at their price point, unless one is not a fan of their music. See them two shows in a row and you'll probably be hearing 40 different songs over the nights.

 

 

I saw Pearl Jam for two consecutive shows during 2013 (Phoenix, then San Diego). They played 70 songs total, and only 12 were the same.

 

Though Pearl Jam prices their tickets at a much lower rate than they could probably get away with, lots of people end up spending the difference in souvenirs. Each show gets a unique poster design (sometimes 2), and a unique T-shirt design. Each of those cost about $35 a piece. Plus they'll sell a soundboard recording later on ($10 for MP3 or $18 for CD).

 

I don't fault U2 at all for their touring style. I know that they spend a lot putting on the show production, especially the stadium tours.

 

I will see U2 as often as I can/afford, so this is intended to be an attack on them (as much as it might seem).

Perhaps if U2 inc produced a decent show poster (not the crap they have done for the past couple tours) and tshirts that were even close to being as cool as PJ's they'd do better on the Merch end of things (and I suspect they already do very, very well.)

Don't get us started on the whole official "bootleg" issue. Most of us on these boards would probably buy a bootleg, but given the lack of setlist change from night-to-night I don't think they would be moving bootlegs the way Pearl Jam or Springsteen do.

And I don't believe for one second that the price of a concert ticket would become more affordable if they were to move merch as PJ does (Is there any evidence that U2 is not currently moving as much merch as PJ?)

Just to be clear, could you specify the actual date? Thanks.

Certainly not to get into a PJ vs. U2 fight as I love both bands, but if you have ever been to a PJ show and been to a U2 show it should be pretty obvious what the difference is in cost for the tickets.

Indeed: video screens, fancy stages, and professionally produced videos.

Pretty hard to find fault with a PJ show at their price point, unless one is not a fan of their music. See them two shows in a row and you'll probably be hearing 40 different songs over the nights.

holy hell - that is really, really disappointing. I'd love to hear Larry's take on that!

How about bringing some old firends from the salad days on the road with them? Simple Minds? Big Country? Mike Peters?

Mike Peters was fronting Big Country for a tour or two.

Simple Minds would be pretty cool. Their stature has definitely diminished over here in North America, to the point where I could see them opening up for U2.

I think my earlier idea of having a different band for each night. Go with a newer band for the Innocence night, and one of their contemporaries for night 2 (Simple Minds, James, and The Alarm would be great (2015 marks 30 years since Strength was released.)

...like the PJ reference...

 

Rush

 

*Stands up clapping loudly*

 

My head would actually explode if this ever happened (it won't).

 

Why in god's green earth would a band who has been around LONGER than U2, who can sell out arenas around the world in their own right, OPEN for any other band?

And, it's not an insignificant thing, their fanclub "gifts" (a badge, some stickers, and a code for a digital download of any bootleg - most of which are easily available with a bit of effort online) are atrocious compared to U2.com .

Careful what you wish for: I've been a longtime member of both fanclubs. For the that 3 Pearl Jam tours I have ended up with exactly ZERO tickets for their shows since they implemented the lottery system. With U2.com I have managed to get tickets for every single tour.

Perhaps the Pan Am games had something do do with this?

 It doesn't appear that way (On TM the ACC doesn't have anything booked from June 20th until July 6.

The ACC also doesn't show as a Pan Am venue.

..t. Everyone just needs to wait and see what the final stage design is before getting worried. 

It would be a lot easier to take that suggestion seriously if ticket prices weren't so high.