bflorendo

I agree with you Pain_18_ with a band that has been doing this for 38yrs now, of trying to meet the expectations of today's kids. However, when I heard Invisible, yes, it didn't blow me away, but I listened to it several times. I tried to break it down...like I do to every U2 song. Ok, it's sounds catchy and more refined. But the bass line, for some reason, reminds me of Billy Idols' Dancing With Myself. It also has a Psychedelic Furs vibe to it, with that synth lead and the chant of "there is no them, only us". Also, the beginning reminds me of Kraftwerk's sound. One thing with U2, being an awesome live band, is they do a great job of delivering their songs live. I think U2 is a better live band than a studio band (their last 3 albums are my bottom 3 too..my favorite is Boy and Actung Baby), and it's evident on their tours. Take away the lights and video screens, and they still kick ass! They've managed to turn songs that I don't like, Beautiful Day for example, into great live versions. Those songs sound grittier, raw, in your face or scenic, when it needs to be, live. You can also thank Joe O'Herlihy (FOH engr.) for that too. Compared to their pre- Pop albums, their last 3 don't have it. They're a dynamic bunch, but for some reason, it doesn't translate well in their recordings...lasts 3 albums, that is. Another thing is they've said all along, they're working on "4 albums". Let's hope it's The Edge, guitar hero one. Just because they released this single, Invisible, doesn't mean it's going to be on their new album, especially if the album release is postponed to 2015.

I think their latest releases of Ordinary Love and Invisible was used to see the reaction of today's audience...especially the Super Bowl commercial. To see if there's relevance in today's world of music. Performing on Fallon's 1st Tonight Show also shows, they're trying to adapt to various types of media coverage for this day and age. They even changed the image again to a more "hipster" look...Adam with the Beiber hair style...lol The way I see the music scene today: I work with a lot of national acts (from the current to the crooners) for live audio production, and yes, it has changed a lot. Today's bands (playing in 1,500 to 5,000 capacity venues) are doing more festivals (even U2 has thought of doing this more...Metallica has been doing several) to support their headlining tours, or to promote their upcoming release. Some up and coming bands last only after 1 album release, few go on to last after 2 or 3 album releases. Most of the ones that are self-sufficient in carrying live production (P.A., lighting systems, etc.) usually do well. However, the newer artists/bands, reaching this goal, don't stay that big like before. Let's see how long Imagine Dragons can continue to do arena tours (btw, great working with those guys!). Plus, only a handful of bands can do a stadium tour these days. The perennial ones (likes of Motley Crue, Journey, Rolling Stones, Aerosmith) have several hits, and make it seem like a Greatest Hits or reunion tour...they need to support their families and other entities that they're running, when it comes down to it. Then you have the ones that have been around for a while now, but still try to put out new material (like U2, Rush and Red Hot Chili Peppers) who have the fan base, but also have a large group that will stick to them or jump, based on their latest releases. With this said, bands like U2, don't want to be another Greatest Hits band/reunion tour band...they got to break up first before they get back! They also don't want to be an incomplete band...after all, name another band that has been around for over 30yrs and has reached that much success with it's original members still in it. Local promoters are only willing to front the money for artists/bands that are hitting the charts these days. But that's not enough. Yes, I know U2 has a contract with Live Nation..but do you know what it's like to perform to a half empty arena? Example, Kanye West playing at an 20,000 seat arena, only to have 7,000 show up. It's been happening a lot (not that it will happen to U2). For example, I'll be doing audio for a well-known artist, that's receiving a lot of air play on all forms of media, yet can't draw a crowd...even for a venue that only holds 2,000. Sometimes, we have to chase down the promoter to get paid. On the other hand, I'll get a band that I've never heard of before, and it's sold out. What's the demographics? Pre-teen to college age crowds that have parents letting them go out on a school night, to see their favorite band play for $40 and up a ticket (while the parent or chaperon hang out by the bar or FOH). Yep, I remember doing Lady Gaga's show in a 2,000 capacity venue before, when was a nobody. Apart from these public events, several artists/bands will do private functions that are so low-key. No one would've known they did a show, unless they were invited to the event. These types of events cost high-dollars to the amount of the band "willing to get out of their beds for it". It is so common. Then you have those that were once big and now play in state fairs, casinos and theme parks...and appear on those PBS and infomercials, selling the "old-timer's" song collection of a certain era. Most of the ones I've worked with, in this category, appreciate what they've accomplished. They don't know anything better, than to perform for the rest of their lives...or need to continue working to pay the bills and/or support their vices. They bring their families (the coolest experience is just seeing them be around their families...just like typical families!) with them and are more open accessible to their fan base. I always joke around with my crew that someday, bands like Aerosmith and Journey will be performing in theme parks (Spinal Tap moment), to the likes of Chubby Checker and Herman's Hermits. I also notice that there are more reunion tours now than before. That's pretty much the cycle...unless they sign a pact never to play together again, publicly, under the same band name (like what Motley Crue did). With all that said, U2 is trying to adapt to today's music business, which really isn't much about the music, but the lifestyle and culture that results from it. In reality, bands aren't in it just for just the music (sorry, that's reality), they're in it, coz that's the only way they know how to make money (Bono has invested money in several failed businesses...he'd be dead broke if it weren't for his band). Like Bill Gates and Richard Branson, they'll continue working in their field of expertise, because it's in their nature, and they need to be challenged. For U2 to stay relevant, I think Bono means recapturing those moments, like creating the Joshua Tree album, or Achtung Baby, when they figured it out. When they did AYCLB, they were inspired of regaining the title of "Greatest rock band in the world". In return, their audience is recognizing it. What's today's inspiration for U2?...Africa has been done, now what? And the audience they're trying to be relevant with? Hiring Dangermouse, and now meeting up with Ryan Tedder (One Republic), they're trying to find that relevance and connection for these so-called "hipsters". Yes, you're thinking what about us longtime U2 fans, but again, that's greatest hits era. Like so many, I do look forward to their new material every time, but how bout these new fans they're trying to get? We can always say, forget about them and just have U2 make music for us. But it's not a challenge to U2, it's not their nature to just settle of being comfortable. It will be over then. Having Paul step aside and U2 carry on, also shows they're trying to adapt to today. Paul just kept on talking about illegal file sharing, well get over it, it's here and accept it. I don't think it's the end of U2, for now, anyways. I think it's them realizing that it's trickier now than before. They just want to do it right (remember the rush job on Pop?), unlike NLOTH...who thought that Magnificent should've been their 1st single instead of Vertigo...I mean Get On Your Boots? Me! Btw, NLOTH was thought to have been an experimental album for them, having to incorporate middle-eastern influences to their songs...less known songs, that is, that were mostly left off the U2360 playlist. They will always sell out shows (which is the money maker for bands anyways), but do they want to just play just their hit songs, or incorporate new great quality songs?

As far as touring, it will come down to Bono's voice. Yes, we'd like to think U2 can last forever, but these guys aren't getting any younger. The days of singing 4 nights a week might be coming to an end for these guys. Meaning the duration of the tour will be limited to certain continents, or it will be drawn out...especially arena tours. They could have a longer break in between legs of tours too. Of course you've got bands such as the Stones still touring, but compare the vocal range requirements to sing U2 songs vs. Stones' songs. U2360 averaged 2hrs 15mins per show. Some will pull it off by playing songs in a different key, but won't sound right. Maybe The Edge might sing lead more than 1 song this time around. I also remember, during the PopMart tour, The Edge and Bono took turns in talking to the crowd in between songs from show to show. It just seemed weird though, with The Edge interacting with the crowd, in between songs, for the entire set, while Bono took a break and was there just to sing. Just from experience, I do audio for a lot of legendary crooners, some aren't even allowed to talk several hours before the show. At their age of 60 plus, they start to lose their voice after they do more than 3 shows a week...90 min. to 2hr sets per show. Some will split their sets with a 15min. intermission...Roger Waters an example.

Working in the live industry, there's a lot of politics in assigning openers for tours. For some instances, even though it makes sense for some related fanbase/sounding bands to instantly be called upon, they don't make it on the bill. It's rare that the headliners get to pick who opens for them on tour. Local openers are usually a last addition...even on the day of the show. Also there's some that switch, depending on the location of the tour. Example was My Chemical Romance and Muse touring together. MCR was the headliner in the U.S., Muse was headlining in Europe.

What do you guys make of this? These can be just working titles...and maybe "MANhattan" could be just working title for the entire new album, since they're working in NYC. Unless there's a full, complete version of North Star and Every Breaking Wave, I don't think they'll make the final cut.

Too big, and 30STM suck as it is. 30STM have been great live when I've worked with them. Too big as in the caliber of the bands?....one band per tour run.

Morning Parade, Mutemath, Sick Puppies, Conditions, Lovedrug, The Killers, 30 Seconds to Mars, Angels & Airwaves, Jimmy Eat World, Boy Likes Girl.

I think it will go back to the usual arena format in the U.S. and stadium shows for the rest of the world. Depending on how successful the album is, or if they follow it up with another album (like Achtung/Zooropa), they might take another round of the U.S. (big markets) in the stadium format (like the ZooTV tour). One thing to factor in is that Mark Fischer (stage designer) passed away a few months ago. They could've had some pre-production in the works...who knows? Btw, what ever happened to the 3 claws? They have been known to recycle some stage components from their previous tour. Like their previous tours, they'll most likely be unveiling a number of new technology, that no other band has. I think they'll reach out to more countries/cities they haven't played in. Perhaps Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Dubai, Manila New Delhi and Mombai. With Lanois giving hints that there's a touch of Achtung in the new album, then it's probably "The Edge" guitar-driven album they've been talking about, instead of the much talked about laid back "Songs of Ascent". I strongly think they'll come out with an EP, or album, while touring. Let's hope they release the right song as their 1st single this time. I still think Magnificent would've been a better 1st single off of NLOTH.

Dream Theater performs Red Hill Mining Town...haven't seen it though. A local band, I've worked with, The Flatts, do a great live version of Streets. What's interesting is the singer sounds more like Matt Bellamy (Muse). They covered Streets several years before Muse did, on numerous gigs.

[quote name='peterferris8 wrote: richie459']Wow you sound like a chap who knows his stuff! Stages etc interest me a lot its always the first thing I think about when a band tours "wonder what the stage is like". I was just speaking from a spectator point of view! I have seen some great tours though with great effects in recent years, but of them all I bet U2 were gobsmacked they never though of the wristbands Coldplay used last year. They even bought the company who produce them. I'm a bigger U2 fan but those wristbands were the simplest yet cleverest and atmospheric idea I have ever seen at a concert....genius! Problem is that those wristbands were costing Coldplay thousands each night, so financially it's not the best move. Red Hot Chili Peppers had RFID wristbands for their Knebworth gig. It's a really good system because it helps combat touts. U2 should look at RFID wristbands for the next tour in my opinion. I can understand a desire to try out new things on tour, but to be honest I'd rather U2 just did a gig with some screens and some tunes. Metallica have a very basic stage setup - a big video screen at the back and loads of walkways and microphones positioned in different parts of the stage. I think a more stripped-back setting like that would be good.Actually, from what my buddy told me (crew member of Metallica) on Metallica's next tour, Lady Liberty will explode in several pieces. It will be in-the-round. I think they're also experimenting on new technology. Not many people notice, but the mixes on those monitors constantly change, whenever a different member of Metallica stands at that spot. Each member has his preference of what they want to hear in their monitor mix. I think there's something in the works to make this easier on the monitor engineers. Like Coldplay's wristbands, I think U2 would do something where they'll have the audience get their cell phones out, in certain songs. They'll use it to display images or videos.

There were some new technology coming out during the Elevation/Vertigo tour. Like the projectors that lit up over the entire crowd, LED curtains, LED track lighting lining the stage, the 3D smoke projection, The Edges multi-FX pedals, Adam Clayton's bass rig, the types of lighting and video software used...stuff that's not evident in the show, but are essential to have, to make it happen. Even just the wireless mics used during Elevation tour and the in-ears monitor system...they were the latest back during that time. The DigiCo D5, the Avid Profile D sound consoles and the i4 P.A. were also coming out during those days. During the U2360 tour, they used wireless DMX for lighting control and wireless controls for the Lab Gruppen amps for the P.A. For the next tour, maybe wireless power?

In A Little While Stuck In A Moment Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For One Sunday Bloody Sunday Mysterious Ways Beautiful Day With Or Without You Elevation City Of Blinding Lights With this list, these songs have been played in most of their shows, since their release. Although some of their arrangements have been modified, they've just been overplayed, live, too much. Also on radio as well. Although these songs are what identifies U2, it's not the complete U2. It would be great if the media exposed more their less known songs. After all, this is the greatest rock band in the world. They're one of the rare bands that are so diverse when it comes to compositions. This list of songs just covers some of them. Just like The Beatles, you don't always hear Hard Days Night, Can't Buy Me Love or I Want To Hold Your Hands all the time. Instead, other less "pop" songs like Strawberry Fields, Blackbird and Tomorrow Never Knows are also played. This next set of U2 songs, listed, should be the ones to replace these, for their next tour. I wish these songs were played more to the general public. If Bono wants a new generation of fans, they've got to show them the older/rarer songs, their "uncool" side, which is cool to us old time U2 fans. Acrobat and Red Hill Mining are always welcome, if they ever decide to play them. Hawkmoon 269 Wire God II I Threw A Brick/A Day Without Me Electric Co. Like A Song Mofo Gloria A Sort Of Homecoming Seconds

[quote name='peterferris8 wrote: richie459']Hmmm I'm going to say album early 2014 and tour in the summer of 2014! Would love to be wrong though! Mercury Records made a statement a while ago saying that a bunch of bands (including U2) were due to have albums out in 2013. Although, mind you, Metallica were one of the bands mentioned in the statement and they've said their album's not out until early 2014, so who knows what could happen? I think with any luck, the album with be out by autumn, with a run of UK/Ireland arena dates (since it'll probably be that whether anyone likes it or not) also around that time.Metallica has their own record label now, Blackened Recording. It owns the rights to all their albums and video releases. It's said that their next album will be under that label. As for U2, I'm pretty sure the release of their album will also coincide with Live Nation's financing for their next tour. With that said, whatever innovative technology they need to utilize on this next tour, will take time to develop. That's why their touring and album releases (except for Rattle & Hum and Zooropa...released while touring, but same live concepts as their predecessors) have been an average of 4 to 5 yrs. apart. There are cool things coming out in the world of live production.

Come to think of it, if the band has a concept for their next tour, they'll probably have to wait for the development of some sort of technology that they're after to use for that tour. Notice how far apart their album releases have been since ZooTV? Takes usually about 3 to 4 years to come out with new innovations and production...and U2 is usually the 1st band to showcase them on each of their tours. As you all know, they're always trying to push the envelope on live production too. Just a thought from a live production techie.

[quote name='peterferris8 wrote: bflorendo']Something reminiscent of the War Tour, like Under A Blood Red Sky and ZooTV tour(arena version). Rock and Raw! Stage: Arena tour, end stage with seats behind the stage...as usual. However, add stand-only areas just off to the side of the stage. From my work experience, it's more intimate jam session-style atmosphere. The crowd, in that section, will feel like they're also onstage and a more personal interaction with the band. Sound-wise, truthfully, it won't sound as good, but I think people will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That type of vibe will allow U2 to be more laid back, and more versatile in their song selection. To make it even more intimate, have the guitar world/bass world, the U2 crew more exposed to the fans. For instance, during the show you can see Dallas Schoo, in guitar world prepping The Edge's next guitar. Or you can see Adam Clayton's bass guitar boat. You can see the 3 monitor engineers monitoring the band's in-ear mixes. You can also see Terry Lawless playing the synth parts to Streets. They should still have some sort of catwalk for the front. But would people want to pay £100-£1000 for that once-in-a-lifetime experience? I don't think so. On the other hand, the rest sounds pretty good. I went to see Muse at The O2 recently and they had a really cool kind of stage concept where there was a gantry going around the back of the stage close to the side-of-stage seating (where I was) and also the seating behind the stage, so that Matt could come round and show off to us. I like the idea of being able to see Terry Lawless playing the keyboards up on stage. I get the feeling something like that would make the show feel less processed, which I think would be a nice touch. Also, instead of having sequencers and computers automatically playing extra instrumental parts, get some proper extra musicians to play any extra instrumental parts needed. So have a few touring musicians to play extra guitar/piano/keyboard/any other instrument parts. Particularly guitar parts, knowing just how useless Bono is... I think there would be....and it's just maybe 100 tickets for those areas. Kinda like the Red Zone during the U2360. Even with that number, that will have an affect on the band's performance. I remember Bono saying something like, "rich people have feelings too."...about the higher priced tickets. I do agree with the extra musicians. Something like the Vertigo tour in Milan, with the string section and Terry Lawless on stage. Also, during the Vertigo tour, whenever they played Electric Co. and An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, it would have Peter Rowen's Boy album cover as the backdrop, and just some simple lighting. In their next tour, the album cover backdrop will be in 3D. Same goes for when they play The Unforgettable Fire, a 3D backdrop of it's album cover, and pictures of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, after the atomic bomb. During Streets, a 3D backdrop of walking through the desert of Joshua Trees. Giving the affect that the stage is actually in that area.