U2start.com | Looking Back: U2 360 Tour

RUMMY

14 years

Great tour. It's definitely time for it to end.

clover68

14 years

agree .... but on Saturday night a great melancholy will grow

RUMMY

14 years

Oh, for sure. Over the past two plus years, if I wasn't following shows as they happened, it was a ritual for me to check virtually every setlist the next morning, the only exception being in 2009 when I didn't check the Chicago show because it was right before the T.O. show I attended. It'll be (or a least "seem" to be) a long wait until the next album/tour. At least I have the hype of the AB-reissue to keep me going until the end of the year.

fabian

14 years

pleasegone

14 years

I think the tour was far better in 2009, however, 2011 was pretty Damb good for me. I got to 3 shows and heard North Star, Zooropa, Hold MeThrillMeKissMeKillMe, All I Want Is You....The only major drawback is the Loss of Breathe, and the incredible love they give for the I'll Go Crazy Remix, which I have been bashed for dissing on this site. Still, an incredible tour, and I love U2 so much, I can live with the few low points. The Highs were really high.

nickbibby

14 years

Highlights of the tour -

1. Such a change in the set from beginning to end. We've seen more variety of songs from one tour than ever before in my opinion.
2. Cardiff '09 and Frankfurt '10. Because I was there! I know Bono's voice was poor in Cardiff but he more than made up for it in the soul he gave, especially in Stay. And I saw Bad again (tears rolling down cheeks). I went to Frankfurt knowing nothing of Turin and was blown away by the change in set.
3. Zooropa. My favourite ever song. Dream Out Loud.
4. The excitment I get when hearing Space Oddity at any point during a normal day!
5. Unforgettable Fire, Ultra Violet, HMTMKMKM.

Lowlights -

1. They dropped the NLOTH songs too easily. Would have loved to hear more of Unkown Caller and No Line. Think they should have rotated more with GOYB and Magnificent. They also missed a trick not segueing UC into Streets. The "busker" acoustic version of No Line in Helsinki is fabulous (if you haven't heard it, download now!) And I also think Breathe would be great as a closer to a set.
2. No Drowning Man. Sounded promising from the rehersals. As did an acoustic version of Mysterious Ways!
3. No Pop. And I don't mean just the stuff played regularly before. Think Do You Feel Loved would be good again. And Last Night On Earth would be great as an encore opener, especially with the "Just goin' down to shop" cartoon from Popmart!!!
4. I didn't get to hear North Star live.
5. The return of Pride!!!! AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!!!

kezman

14 years

Originally posted by pleasegone:The only major drawback is the Loss of Breathe, and the incredible love they give for the I'll Go Crazy Remix, which I have been bashed for dissing on this site.

I'm kinda split on the Crazy Tonight remix,it took me a long time to get into it,when i heard the audio at Barcelona way back on the opening night i thought it was garbage but i find when you're watching it and see Larry with the drum and stuff its really good,its certainly a big part of the 360 and it wouldn't have been the same without it.

zooropa93

14 years

I have loved this tour, it's seems ages ago since I attended the first night in Barcelona. I like the fact that we have seen many set changes whereas zootv and pop always kept the same basic structure. I have attended less shows on the tour compared to others since 1992 but will always be in my heart as my two sons were born during it- Evan Aug 09 and Noah Apr 11.

I pray for a decent pro shot of a later gig with even, fly, Zooropa, hold me thrill me.

kezman

14 years

Originally posted by zooropa93:I have loved this tour, it's seems ages ago since I attended the first night in Barcelona. I like the fact that we have seen many set changes whereas zootv and pop always kept the same basic structure. I have attended less shows on the tour compared to others since 1992 but will always be in my heart as my two sons were born during it- Evan Aug 09 and Noah Apr 11.

I pray for a decent pro shot of a later gig with even, fly, Zooropa, hold me thrill me.

I know exactly what you mean,Vertigo 05 will always have a place in my heart as my daughter was born the day before Gelsenkirchen concert and that whole summer 05 tour reminds me of that moment,special times.

kris_smith87

14 years

From U2.com:
Simply by the numbers U2 360° is the most successful concert tour of all time. Over two years and two months, the band have played to more than 7million fans in 30 countries on 5 continents.

Since opening night in June 2009, the U2 360° spaceship has taken off at 110 shows. The set list at the beginning is unrecognisable from a set list two years later.

But it's not about the numbers - it's about the moment. The moment of surrender.

So how was it for you?
The best show you went to?
The track that captures the spirit of U2360?
The visual or staging feature that took your breath away?
The memories of a rock'n'roll tour that you'll never forget...
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For me:
So how was it for you?- Absolutely mind blowing. The guys sound great on their DVDs and I figured they would sound great legit live but it was so much better than I had imagined. I have been to concerts before and sort of just sat and enjoyed but the minute the guys got on stage in Toronto '09 I stood right up and sang at the top of my lungs for the whole show.

The best show you went to?- I can't really decide. Toronto 1 in '09 and Toronto '11 were two different experiences. They say you never forget your first time, and I won't and it remains a very special night for me. This time around though, I had a different feeling, as if I couldn't believe I was there again... it was actually after the show that I realized and was feeling hyped for days.

The track that captures the spirit of U2360?- You guys may highly disagree with me (like that douche who's only argument was to call it a "turkey") but I have to say I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight. It was so cool and it utilized the 360 idea with all four guys walking the circle. I also loved the video on the screens with the guys bopping their heads and clapping. (Also getting to hear the snippet of Discotheque at my 2nd show was amazing).

The visual or staging feature that took your breath away?- The whole thing in general.

The memories of a rock'n'roll tour that you'll never forget...- There are way too many but I'll sum it up with just being able to see my favorite band ever/the best band in the world. U2's music means so much to me and seeing them was always a dream for me. (The only thing that could make it better is if they came to me and I didn't have to fly five provinces west to see them!)

MattG

14 years

How was it for you?: Absolutely amazing. The most awesome tour I could have possibly opened my live U2 experience with. The crew, the band, Willie- everyone defied every rock concert concept that had ever been tried and tested and reinvented the rock n roll show, for like the 5th time. The imagination and the drive behind getting U2 to their fans is undying and passionate, and it makes attending the concerts more than just an experience- it's a monumental happening.

The best show?: I have the exact same answer Kris does. The first time was simply and utterly insane, with it being my first time ever seeing U2- and not knowing a single song they'd play in what order (aside from opening with Breathe)...the lights going out during Bowie and Kingdom taking over...it was thrilling in that I had no idea what to expect. I could have called (almost) every song during my second show, but it was all the more magical in waiting the 8 hours in GA, racing towards the Claw telling myself I did it- I had made it back- suffered the extra year that I had the tickets after Bono's back went out. I was going to be within feet of my idols- and it all played out perfectly. Practically touching Bono and The Edge during UTEOTW. Hearing Bono live again...hearing the first snippet ever of "Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World"...I can't even comprehend the amazingness that was Chicago '11.

The track that captures the spirit?: I have to give a double-sided answer to this one. The first one being Crazy Tonight. I hate the remix on bootlegs and in videos, but live it simply takes over. Exactly what Kris said- it brings the stage and band to life, and utilizes everything on the entire Claw to bring the show to a new level. My second answer would be Moment of Surrender. Another song that on bootlegs, I generally pass over, but live it is breathtaking. It shows that the band have spirit, passion, and believe in what they do. The heartfelt portrayal of the song night after night shows that the band isn't afraid to "go there"- to dig down deep, every single night, and pull out the more passionate, intense music from the bottoms of their hearts. This is exactly why Love is Blindness closed ZooTV so well- it was 100% pure every single night, and so is MOS. There you have it- two NLOTH tracks that never missed a single show, the two tracks that define the tour.

Visual feature: The extending screen. Can't lie, I had no idea how the thing operated as I kept away from ALL videos and as many pictures as I could have before the tour. I knew it got big, and I knew it could be small, but I really hadn't put it all together by the time I saw them. When it came time for Unforgettable Fire in 09, I honestly can't even remember the song being played because I was so absolutely stunned by the effect of the screen. The light show that was happening before me, it was just too much. That screen was STUNNING.

The memories I'll never forget:
MY SHOWS:
-Rolling my eyes both times "One" started and being almost in tears by the end of the song
-Hearing UTEOTW in 09, then a rarity, and barely being able to breathe...and Edge ruining the solo

-As the band was shown on the screen during Space Oddity in '11, me seeing them and starting to jump, pull my hair out, practically cry, as the feeling was suddenly real again. It was as if I'd been looking at a drug for hours and hours and then in an instant, it made me high.
-The strobe lights of Vertigo
-Staring blindly as the band played Your Blue Room (for the first time ever), transfixed by a song I didn't know and mesmerized by its uniqueness.
-The band closing with One Tree Hill

OTHER MOMENTS:
-Bono giving the blind fan the guitar
-Reading tweets like, "Business as usual, Zooropa now."....I mean, WTF.
-Bono/Edge's banter during the Still Havent Found intro at the Sheffield show
-Following Glastonbury from my mobile
-The live debut of Mercy
-The amazing, wonder-world of a place that U2Start turned into come tour time. A second home, for now over two years- going to be hard to see the tour go.

Doc32

14 years

So how was it for you? I loved just about every minute of the tour from following shows online to the five that i was fortunate enough to be able to attend. After such a long layoff between Vertigo and the 360 tour, i had never been more excited for anything musically in my life and the 360 tour did not disappoint. The fact that you were able to get so close to the band on this tour with tickets in the GA that didn't cost a fortune was absolutely amazing. The feeling of being right next to a band that you have undying love for is the one that I identify the most with this tour.

The best show you went to? I don't even know how to answer this. All five really hold a special place in my heart. Toronto I 09 being my first time seeing the band in 4 years, the anticipation and expectation was incredible. Hearing Your Blue Room, Until The End of the World, and Stay in addition to all the No Line songs live for the first time was awesome. Toronto II 09 was my first GA experience and something I'll never forget in my life. Being right next to Bono during a concert is an incredible thing and really a dream come true for any U2 fan. East Lansing in 2011 was incredible as well. Outstanding performance, completely different feel to the show on a college campus, and being able to experience the show in the true 360 form with seats behind the stage. Being right on top of the claw, even from behind, for only 30 dollars to me was everything the idea of the tour was all about. My second and third GA experiences in Toronto and Pittsburgh this year were also great. The last song of the tour that I heard live was Bad with Walk on the Wild Side and "40" snippets. I'm not sure how I could possibly ask for anything more than that.
The track that captures the spirit of U2360? More than any other u2 tour, I feel like 360 evolved as it went on. Thus I would say there are three tracks that capture the spirit of U2360...
09: Crazy Tonight Remix- Kris and Matt already hit this on the head. Seeing the full band navigate around the 360 stage was a live experience that was crucial to the show...even if the song itself isn't the greatest.
10: Return of the Stingray Guitar- A year that was marked by injury and delays turned out to be one of the most incredible times in U2 history. The excitement surrounding the new songs was incredible. You never really knew what they were going to pull out in the middle of the set. What unknown gem would be unearthed for the first time on every given night. Stingray was one of those songs, the only one that made it to every show in Europe that year. It really captured the excitement both of the start of the live show, and of the tour that year as a whole.
11: Zooropa- This song was played at every show on the North American leg of the tour. Just think about that for a minute..........In 2011 U2360 wasn't there to promote or prove anything anymore (unless you count the AB and Zooropa remasters

) It showed. Laying down 5 tracks a night from Achtung Baby and two from Zooropa. The site of the band under the expanding screen, no video of the band, belting out one of their best tunes to a largely unknowing audience is the spirit of u2360 in 2011 to me.

The visual or staging feature that took your breath away? In my first show i had seats up in the upper level of the stadium. The Unforgettable Fire started and one of my friends said to the other "hey, is the screen getting bigger?" he responded "no man, that's not possible how can the screen get bigger?" Needless to say it did and they were shocked. Those visuals in TUF and the capabilities of the claw on full display during City of Blinding Lights are what i'll remember the most about the Claw.

The memories of a rock'n'roll tour that you'll never forget... Too many to list both in person and following the shows on here on U2start. A great tour for the band and the fans. Hope the next tour arrives soon!!!

Looking Back: U2 360 Tour

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