U2start.com | So what's actually happening this leg?

Nice to hear them play new stuff, and I'm glad that they finally stopped to play Glaston because it was the most awful song ever.

But they're not throwing in any more songs from NLOTH and this is really disappointing for me because I adore that album.

If you can play Stingray, then you can play Being Born after it, lazy bastards!

AllBecauseOfU2

14 years

Originally posted by djrlewis:I was just thinking the other day that I was going to post about how exciting a time this is to be a U2 fan,something I haven't genuinely felt for a sustained period since mid-90's. Don't get me wrong, I've been as excited as the next when album's etc have been launched, but it's all died down quite quickly. This time around I've been really keen to see what's going to happen since Horsens (as Yeah said - payed it a bit safe there).

Someone posted a list of all the 'unexpected' songs on this tour. I could not have predicted a single one of those before it got started. I know a lot of us would love to see some Pop material, but wow.

As to why? No idea. Having fun, trying out new ways of testing material before it's released? Not sure. I know they recognise that the music industry is changing so I'm sure that influences their thoughts. I think Willie has quite a powerful seat too. They seem to listen to him and I'm damn sure he checks the fansites.

It's all pretty damn cool, whatever you make of each individual song etc. And I have to agree, this 3rd leg Bono is a 20 year older Fly. For sure.

Agree with everything you've said Dan. Not much else to add other than it seems like everything is beginning to coalesce and connect during this leg - the first two legs almost seemd slightly forced looking back, as if they couldn't wait to just show off this huge stage and their new songs - which of course who could blame them? But the willingness to experiement this leg really makes it seem much less forced and just more enjoyable overall for everyone - seems like the band is enjoying it more, and we all sure are.

AidanFormigoni

14 years

I think they're trying to overcome that failure of No Line On The Horizon. The album didn't sell well and they haven't received any "grammys" because of it. To say in other words, casual people haven't accepted well this album (I'm not talking about the quality of it, just what happened), and U2 wasn't a big hit or big success just like they were used to be.

Play new stuff is a way to figure out if the general audience will accept the hole thing or not. They have to be confident to do it, for sure, but I think this failure of No Line is also the reason of the poor and basic lyrics and repetitive chorus we're seeing in the new songs (even if I like all of them, it's not their best stuff). Maybe they're just trying to get back and be successful in this new music industry we have, reaching more people and expanding his general audience.

I have to say that I'm loving this leg of the tour, but I'd rather see a big rotation with a lof of old stuff. I think U2 is trying to discover how they can be "catchy" again instead of just do music they would like to do, or maybe they're trying to do a lot of things at the same time, and Bono couldn't dedicate himself on doing one brilliant song, and his attention had to be shared with a lot of songs.

In other hand, they have balls for doing this. If they're just trying to be themselfs, it's a great thing, even if they're kind of lost with all their new stuff and lots of material. Palying new stuff on live shows is not a common thing these days and they're doing it. It's also good to see they're havinf fun on stage. It's one of the most important things to be successful doing something.

About the shows, the energiy is great and they're all in god shape.

I think the hole situation is a mix of everything I said...They just have to play rock n roll and focus on one thing (or album) at a time.

scottE

14 years

Don't forget cd sales have dropped 99% for all artists these days - singles and sales have almost disappeared... Music business as we have know has truely gone no matter what mr.G is saying

Knowing the latest cd isn't selling well they could have returned to "greatest hits" tour ... so Hearing Mercy this sunday (or even the early demo) isn't exactly a mainstream giveaway - it's no crowdpleaser in my opinion - simply not catchy enough

So yes there's a kind of testing the water with the various new songs and to be honest: i Love it more then returning to the safe and tested favourites from the past

So Think ahead and try to work out which songs ( or versions) will appear in New Sealand and Australia and then in 2011....

Something's happening but we don't know what it is..for the moment

BelgianBono

14 years

It's simple.

It's a lot better to get a bad reaction for one night and to move on afterwards (when you play something new live) than to get bad reactions for months and get stuck with it forever (when you bring out an album).
That's the lesson they've learned after 30 years.

germcevoy

14 years

Interesting thoughts. It's sad that it is considered 'odd' that they are pushing and testing themselves again. Something has clicked and they have went with it. Let's see how long it lasts. Autopilot will surely return . . .

jamie29nz

14 years

I think that it is great that they are taking chances and having fun, i Suspect they are all appreciating what they have together after the scare with Bono's back. Roll on NZ/AUST they have always been loose and fun in our part of the world so it will be interesting to see what comes out.

Have to say though Return of the stingray guitar has to be the worst enterance song U2 have had for many many years..................

kezman

14 years

Cant agree with that,Stingray is a fantastic rocking start that gets everyone going,i do think it should be followed with something other than Beautiful Day though,that should be shifted to a 5 or 6 in the set.Maybe NLOTH would be a good opener.
Also what chances are there of NLOTH songs being played on future tours??

germcevoy

14 years

Bump. Leg is over and we got Spiderman to add to the list. Bad proves that something is up with the band this leg. Great great leg, roll on Oz.

Jerry

14 years

Playing Mercy was probably the coolest move they have done this leg (of course with a shitload other new stuff like: Ultra Violet, TUF, Hold me, EBW, North Star etc

)
The song have been a mystery for 5 or 6 years.
Nobody knew what would happen with that song.
They must have found out that it's a great piece of music.
So many fans wanted to see this song live and I think it worked.
I prefer the studio version though, but I also fell in love with the new version.
Probably a shitload of fans who got satisfied to see that song.
Blender magazine described this song as "a six-and-a-half-minute outpouring of U2 at its most uninhibitedly U2-ish''

The Dismantle sessions were great anyways

What do you guys think?

bartajax

14 years

I think the European leg was a great leg, they proved they still got it. They kept their promise that they were going to play new songs, and the most of them were just great. Also some old songs came back and made the setlist better ( I Will Follow, Miss Sarajevo, HMTMKMKM,Pride and ofcours Bad) The only thing what is a shame is that they keep playing IALW and Walk On, really hoping they will ditch that in the next leg. And Im really hopefull the next leg will give us some more changes, maybe some new songs, but I really think some older songs will come back like AIWIY and Desire and maybe more ( One Three Hill, some song from R&H)

The best song of this leg imo is Hold Me, Trill Me

The best new songs imo are EBW and Boy Falls From The Sky

JuJuman

14 years

Originally posted by germcevoy:Bump. Leg is over and we got Spiderman to add to the list. Bad proves that something is up with the band this leg. Great great leg, roll on Oz.

++++1111

Boy Falls rocks rocks rocks and then again rocks. And you belieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeve...

So what's actually happening this leg?

what they said

did you know

you

forums

U2start