Originally posted by shkee23:I thought U2 were really really great tonight. Just brilliant. Could things have hypothetically been "better"? Sure. I wouldn't have had them play Boots OR MOS, but they were just really smart with everything. Opening with Achtung Baby got the crowd rocking. I was afraid they'd be lukewarm at best, but they knew the words and weren't ashamed of singing them VERY loudly--esp. during One, the oh ohs of Pride and the end of Stay, the Streets chorus, Still Haven't Found--the list goes on (Damn, this band has so many instantly recognizable hits!!).
The qualms people have/are sure to have were (I think) mostly out of U2's control. A few tech glitches (but hey, it's a live show!), crowd WAS too far away to really "connect" as Bono would have liked, the b-stage reportedly too slippery to do much, Bono's voice getting slightly ragged (albeit it was mostly because he was SO into it), etc., etc.
I think much applause has to be given to Bono. He LOVES to talk and this obviously would have been a great soapbox for him to speak about politics, etc. (in terms of getting into the ears of millions, not in terms of the reception he would've gotten). He restrained himself from doing that and I'm sure that was difficult for him to do. He really worked hard to win the crowd over (thus his slight deterioration in voice as the show went on), which is something he hasn't had to do in decades. Despite the naysayers, I don't think that ANYONE can deny Bono's showmanship and frontman...ship(?) after tonight.
In all, really a tremendous show. The band have definitively proven that they can still kick some serious ass without relying on gimmicks. I think they really got the crowd going, probably surprising many of them with the sheer amount of hits and singalong moments in U2's songbook.
To those who disagree, I can only say I'm sorry that you didn't get to feel what I felt watching them on stage tonight. This may not have been a "defining moment" in U2's history (of which there have been several)--that's naturally quite arguable, but I think that it's certainly CEMENTED the long-perceived notion that U2 is the greatest live band ever, with the songs and stage presence to back it up.
Nailed it....just watched it on youtube. I love this band.
