aussiemofo's review of
2005-09-17 - Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre
Performance
This is the last of four Toronto shows at the start of the third leg after a month break and you can tell the boys benefited tremendously for it. They sounded fresh, energetic, passionate and, most importantly, excited. Maybe the interesting setlist had something to do with it or maybe it was just the break.
Vertigo (the song) is a good indicator of how the rest of the show's going to fall into place and you know you're in for a better-than-average performance when Bono goes absolutely nuts and that's what happens here. It's an excellent Vertigo with a great little Rockaway Beach snippet thrown in for good measure.
Electric Co. is always heavenly to my ears and this time its got some smashing snippets followed by a classic rendition of The Ocean all the while Bono's energy level is maintained to near the highest possible.
Beautiful Day was another standout and I really liked the Edge story at the start of Miracle Drug which is also played very well as it always is.
I skip the sheer crap-infested dog's breakfast that is Sometimes before we are treated to quality War and Human Rights sets. From Love and Peace right through, it's all good here. But most notably, this is one of the best third leg Streets you're ever likely to find. One's extended outro with Edge and Lanois was another small win for diversity and then you have Ol' Man River with EV providing an excellent closer to an excellent main set.
The encore is the business on this boot! What a line-up - from Discotheque to 40. All Because Of You is the only weak link and it could have probably been replaced with Original or Zoo Station at the top of the set but no major complaints from me. But this boot will be best remembered for THAT version of Discotheque. What a find! Absolutely outstanding. The only downside being that it didn't have any Boom-cha's.
Some cool little keyboard bits during Elevation, Love and Peace and 40 are worth noting also.
4 stars
Audience
This really should be N/A because the IEM doesn't do the audience any justice but they can be heard a lot of the time and you could tell they loved every minute of it.
3 stars
Sound
This is a weird one. It's not a fully complete recording for a start. You come in on the second verse of City of Blinding Lights and Love and Peace cuts short as does Ol' Man River. Add to that beeps and clicks throughout and you get quite a few distractions here and there. Finally, while Bono can be heard loud and clear, the other band members tend not to have any full clarity that would warrant a 4-star rating or better.
3.5 stars
Overall
Highlights
A rockin' Vertigo with a cool snippet
Beautiful Day (can't get enough of Sgt. Peppers)
The Ocean
Streets (one of the better Vertigo versions you'll hear especially the notes Bono hits towards the end - loved it!)
A fantastic encore - Outstanding diversity. Discotheque complete with an awesome Relax snippet is something to behold (or listen to) (Note to band: please do a Pop encore next tour!!!) and Fast Cars is a lot of fun.
Lowlights
No Cry in Electric Co.
I'd recommend getting this boot if you're in the mood for something that's not your run-of-the-mill Vertigo gig. The band are switched on, it's a great setlist and it's fairly decent sound. "Love....falling from above!!"
4 stars
