2015-05-26 - Inglewood
Tour: Innocence and Experience tour
Songs played: 25
Audio recordings: 5
Videos: 1
  1. Don't really like Edge extended Troubles solo, seems like he hasn't really found his groove yet. I hope they keep the song in the set list though.

    Volcano was ok-ish, weak bridge.

    Ordinary Love was good, but I want to hear the non-acoustic version.

    Regarding the setlist, if people want to 'bitch' about it let them, who gives a fuck. If you don't like it, don't read the damn posts. The complaining is hardly annoying, it doesn't happen that often anyway on this forum.
  2. All the new songs should be played full band. I've been watching videos of highly capable tribute bands playing the new songs full band. And it makes me sad when U2 can't be arsed to.

    Please get up off your knees....

    Rehearsing 48 songs for this tour would have sounded like a giant feat once upon a time. But I saw JAMES in 2012 on the West Coast of the United States (and in the desert) and they rehearsed over 60 for their very short tour. And each night was different. Their VIP soundchecks were actually full song performances as well. Some didn't get into the nights' setlist.

  3. I thought they said in a interview they had rehearsed 60 songs??
  4. Only Edge rehearsed 60 songs...

    The Edge: I've gone through 60 songs for the tour. I haven't played all of them with the band. I've got 60. I counted. On the note of him playing guitar, I do miss it. I particularly miss it when I have to go into a solo and there's no Bono there to back me up. I'm like, "Oh shit. This is quite a different thing."

    http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/inside-u2s-innocence-spectacle-a-backstage-q-a-with-bono-and-edge-20150521?page=5
  5. Well then it looks like we've been having a rousing debate regarding the idea of "setlist variation". I'd like to interrupt that to talk about my personal experience at LA 5. Also, I want to preface my review by saying that anytime Volcano gets performed, that event shall no longer be referred to as a concert, but an eruption.

    Unexpected would have to be the word to describe the night. Volcano, Ordinary Love, and The Troubles were unexpected additions to the set. The "e" stage piano malfunction was unexpected and Elvis's brief cameo was equally unexpected. In the end, these unexpected events led to an incredibly festive and enjoyable final evening at The Forum. Briefly talking about setlist variation (compared to LA 3), 5 songs were swapped in the set. Out Of Control, Volcano, Ordinary Love, The Troubles, and One, which is perfectly fine for me.

    I had seats 3rd row from the bottom right by the "e" stage, so I did not have the best view of the main screens. However, there are large screens mounted to the top of the sound setup that give you a pretty good view of what's going on. Since I did not have the best view of the screens, last night's eruption was more about the musical performance rather than the theatrical elements. However, I will say that with my view, you do get to appreciate how effectively the band uses space as a show element. The standout performances for me were Iris, Ordinary Love, Every Breaking Wave, and The Troubles. Ordinary Love is a wonderful song and their rendition is beautiful, powerful, and playful all in one package. Really great song to play and I hope it remains in the rotation. The Troubles came back for its second performance and I loved it. While it was Bono and a recording, I have to admire the fact that they brought Lykke Li to record a different segment than what's on the album. I think the musical mixing could use a bit more tweaking because sometimes the pre-recorded sections overpower the band. Every Breaking Wave was another highlight for me, but only because they were forced to change how it was played. Basically, the "e" stage piano was malfunctioning, so they moved Edge to the "i" stage while keeping Bono at the "e" stage. While I think the Bono/Edge duet version feels incomplete compared to the full orchestra full band version, I do believe that if the band feels like playing EBW as a duet, they have to split up Bono and Edge. Putting some space between them enhances the experience of the song, but adding a bit more weight to the lyrics. For me, there was something haunting about Bono singing on the "e" stage alone with Edge on the other side of the stage. Really powerful imagery.

    Finally, I want to talk about Volcano. Really strong performance from a musical standpoint. However, I am somewhat concerned with the visuals they used. It seems like they are using that slot to "plug and play" songs while using the same "livestream" visuals. Personally, I don't think it worked with Volcano. If they are intent on using the live stream thing every night, they should make Elevation a setlist staple because Elevation is really the only song that works with that sort of thing. I don't know how to explain it, but it has to be Elevation. If they want to use Volcano, they have to bring in the appropriate visuals. Orange/red lights, magma, fire. Since it is Adam's song, the rest of the band should be on the "I" stage while Adam gets the "e" stage to himself. But all joking aside, I think they need customized visuals for Volcano if they want to keep playing it because the crowd was somewhat lost with the livestream being used for Volcano.


    In summary, LA 5 was a massive eruption with unexpected setlist surprises and some technical difficulties. I honestly can't complain about the musical performances (visuals and stuff are a different thing) and any setlist complaints are pretty much personal preference. However, I will say that if U2 wanted to design their sets based on crowd reaction, Mysterious Ways, Elevation, and With Or Without You would be played every single night. I also want to highlight One. Really strong performance with AMAZING audience reception. Bono just stops singing for several verses and the audience carries everything. Really great stuff.


    Having gone to one concert and one eruption in the same city, my advice to people doing the same would be to not ruin the experience for yourself by coming in with a set of expectations. Each concert/eruption should be taken as a new experience.
  6. Originally posted by andreamacedo:[..]
    Only Edge rehearsed 60 songs...

    The Edge: I've gone through 60 songs for the tour. I haven't played all of them with the band. I've got 60. I counted. On the note of him playing guitar, I do miss it. I particularly miss it when I have to go into a solo and there's no Bono there to back me up. I'm like, "Oh shit. This is quite a different thing."

    http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/inside-u2s-innocence-spectacle-a-backstage-q-a-with-bono-and-edge-20150521?page=5
    Edge has a ton of kids, he even has grandkids (I think?).
    That says a lot about the man that he put so much work into rehearsal.
  7. its just garbage at this point. nothing to separate this from other u2 tours yet, sure there is still a chance that when see them next year 7 or 8 songs will be different but that is what we were all hoping for this tour. cant say it enough, I love this band...I love this band live even more, but they short changed us this time around. how about they play Joshua tree rarities one night, then achtung, then all that you..., then Bomb..they could have done it, but no, we get a set list that will be very tired after 12 shows
  8. Originally posted by patssox95:its just garbage at this point. nothing to separate this from other u2 tours yet, sure there is still a chance that when see them next year 7 or 8 songs will be different but that is what we were all hoping for this tour. cant say it enough, I love this band...I love this band live even more, but they short changed us this time around. how about they play Joshua tree rarities one night, then achtung, then all that you..., then Bomb..they could have done it, but no, we get a set list that will be very tired after 12 shows
    Wtf?

    Have you even been to an IE Tour show yet? Unless you've been to a show you have literally no ground upon which to say that. Even if you've been to a show you still have no ground to stand on since that opinion is so many degrees of wrong it makes my negative views on Pop look justified.
  9. Originally posted by patssox95:its just garbage at this point. nothing to separate this from other u2 tours yet, sure there is still a chance that when see them next year 7 or 8 songs will be different but that is what we were all hoping for this tour. cant say it enough, I love this band...I love this band live even more, but they short changed us this time around. how about they play Joshua tree rarities one night, then achtung, then all that you..., then Bomb..they could have done it, but no, we get a set list that will be very tired after 12 shows
    I disagree with a lot of what you said. I haven't seen the show though.

    I am interested in "album rarities nights" that would be kind of cool!
  10. ive been to four shows, phnx 2, la 1,3,4 and look at the setlists and look at the interviews the band had given from oct last year till kickoff. they play great, bono's voice is strong, every show is worth the price of admission but there is nothing more, a big reference for this would have you look at the 4 vertigo shows played in LA and see how the shows varied and even the set lists flipped. I was hoping more for a Joshua tree run or even love town tour variation where something as grandiose and in every way a perfect song could appear in last five or first five of setlist on any given night!! check out even 360 Anaheim, they put forth the greatest 13 song opener in USA since JT concert, though it was all luck due to the warm up for Glastonbury. just saying this band has it in them to to/be more this tour and I believe they have taken shortcuts...so far
  11. Anaheim 2 was a special circumstance though, rehearsal for Glasto.

    And I don't want to take away from how awesome it was. I was there, and it was amazing. But it wouldn't have been that mixed up if it wasn't for Glasonbury.