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  1. U2, just for their amazing tour design; ZooTV, PopMart, Vertigo and now U2360, they have pushed the live envelope more than any other band.

    There's a reason why the Zoo TV Trabants hang in the lobby of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
  2. Originally posted by NLOTH_Victor:Alex, I disagree on this....I have been to two U2 concerts recently (Vertigo 2005) and it´s not like they don´t sing and use playback tracks....they do sing and play and improvise (Love is Blindness in Argentina, Who´s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses in Chicago, Angel of Harlem just hours ago in Berlin)....What they use is normal stuff to add to the performance because they are a four member band and it is hard to translate all the studio sounds to live performances well...They do have a backstage keyboard player that plays during walk on, breathe and city of blinding lights mainly because Edge is on the guitar.... Other than that they use effects for synths that are activated by the Edge...just type in youtube Dallas Schoo (U2´s guitar tech), in the vids he shows how the Edge does some stuff like in ISHFWILF from Elevation 2001 synths and watch the mistaken One from the first night of U2360 and pay attention to how when edge stops the strings stop. It´s not like they are faking what they play like Madonna did for some songs here in Brazil when she took the microphone away from her mouth and the song kept going......Just posting my opinion..If you have an example of where they use playback...real playback...please post.... I would like to know because I would be disappointed because you pay a ticket to see them, not playback crap...and I am sure bono does not lip synch...and they used some stuff to add up to their performances back then...The Unforgettable Fire´s beggining. Alex, sorry if I was rude...didn´t mean to...just posting what I think .
    By the way....I just commented live performances of the band I´ve seen, but I think that the Who and Pink Floyd should be amazing too
    Sorry, again, if I was rude
    Thanx

    Not rude at all, bro. Just a different opinion. Peace.

    I know that they don't do full playback. They do half playback on some songs, they use hidden keyboard and percusion players, and Edge does a lot of stuff with effects. But even that much playback stuff keeps me from calling them the best live band ever. I also strongly dislike the hiding of the additional players.

    I agree that their tour designs are fantastic. I also highly appreciate the rearranging of several songs for each tour and the inclusion of these awesome snippets. I love the inclusion of political, social and christian messages - it's much more than just rock and roll. Bono's Charisma makes him one of the best live frontmen in the world. He's also able to interact with the audience in a powerful way.

    But sometimes he's really badly out of tune. I have to add that when Edge starts to improvise there's a good chance he f***s it up. I just listened to Barcelona 06-30 and during Unknown Caller he plays a couple of notes that are beyond blue. Sorry Dave.

    U2 are most likely my favourite band. But to name them "best live band of the world" we'd have to check some criteria. And IMHO there are just too many little drawbacks for that one exceptional title.

    I'd agree that the ZooTV tour was most likely the best rock multimedia show in rock history.

    Alex
  3. The fact that they do make mistakes makes me appreciate them more, I think there is some sort of vulnerability and humility that makes me love them more because of this
  4. Originally posted by superkev:The fact that they do make mistakes makes me appreciate them more, I think there is some sort of vulnerability and humility that makes me love them more because of this




    agree!

    for me they are the best, they proved last night!
  5. U2 and Pink Floyd (from what I've heard in bootlegs).
  6. Originally posted by KaiserJose:Rolling stones were extremely disappointing at Slane when I saw them. I also thought Scorsese couldn't even make them look good in their film (suffered perhaps because U23D was out just beforehand).

    Who said the Beatles?!? For all their fame and glory they were terrible live. Terrible. They got away with it a lot due to their lung-busting screaming fans.



    With all due respect, the Rolling Stones are great. Also remember, you saw them while they were in their 60s. You think Bono and co. will still be kicking around by then?

    I did. I have four reasons. John. Paul. George. Ringo. That's all I need to say, thankyouverymuch.
  8. I will agree that u2 are nothing short of great live. BUT, there are a few that compete and at least one that has surpassed them. Pink Floyd in 94 was AMAZING. That wasn't even their height. Pearl Jam was awsome, The Foo Fighters blew me away, I was just expecting another rock show, not what I got.

    Someone else mentioned Faith No More, I agree. For me the U2 show isn't just about the big stars, and the big stage. For me it is about the history I have with their songs, and what those songs mean to me. Few bands, for me, have songs that have that kind of place in my personal history, and soundtrack, and that is why no matter the staging hearing them live will always mean something to me.

    For ME:

    1) Pink Floyd Division Bell
    2) U2 Zoo TV outside broadcast
    3) Red Hot Chili Peppers Mothers Milk Tour
    4)Faith No More Real Thing Tour
    5) Pearl Jam VS Tour
    6) Depeche Mode Violator tour
    7) U2 POPMART
    8) Nine Inch Nails Downward Spiral Tour
    9) INXS Kick tour
    10) Beastie Boys Ill communication tour

  9. I've seen both U2 and Bruce 2 x in concert and all I have to say is...

    BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCE.

    I'll be seeing U2 Sept 12 and 13. And bruce Sept 20. I'll give you my definite answer then when I see both my favorite bands in a one week period.
  10. Kasabian are great live but also U2 are great live

    My vote goes to U2
  11. Of bands I've seenI say U2 with Muse a close second.

    I've seen Radiohead and whilst techincally proficient and amazing songs, the concert bored me.

    Bryan Adams and Robbie Williams are amazing solo artists and deserve credit, one of whom really doesn't get it that often.

    Bands I haven't seen - Queen, Led Zep, REM (occasionally), Foos
  12. U2 is most certainly up there with the best live bands ever
    specially because they variate the setlist a lot.. there are always surprises!

    but

    there are a few things that annoy me
    basically Bono's speaches during the concerts.. i'm there to see a rock concert, hear great tunes and have a wonderful time.. and not to feel guilty about people dying in Africa (or whatever he talks about)

    and come on, this new stage.. U2 doesn't need to do it
    the claw is ridiculous in my opinion, and that talk about the reason to built it is to get closer to the crowd is just bullshit.. i feel like the reason behind it is something like they saying "WE CAN DO IT".. this current stage is just as excentric as that one on Popmart tour, if not worse!

    they've had the perfect stage at the Elevation tour.. i quite miss it to be honest (was watching the Boston and Slane dvds yesterday) and even the stage from the Vertigo tour was better than the claw
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.