You attended all the Chicago shows. How did they measure up against each other? Was there one night in particular that was your favorite?
It's a bit hard to compare them when so many variables affect each show. I would have to say that night five was definitely my favorite...I was there with some very close friends, had met dylbagz in the crowd and got to hang with him all night, and the setlist was outstanding. With that being said, shows two and three were also pretty spectacular, with the premiere of "Gloria" and an amazing "All I Want Is You" on night three.
Did you have different seating/standing views for each show? How did they compare?
Nights one and two, I was on the GA floor. Edge's side N1, Adam's side N2. I much preferred Adam's side if I'm being honest...I got a BETTER view of The Edge, looking diagonally across the stage, got a lot of play from Adam in addition, and I felt like Bono was playing more toward us as well. It was also more spacious.
Nights three and four, I had seats, almost in identical locations both nights. I was very happy with this view, very high up in the stadium, directly looking down at the screen. The show was completely different - I would advise anyone seeing the show to try to catch it from up top. It was incredible.
Night five, I went back down to Adam's side on the GA floor.
What was your favorite performance at any or all of the concerts? Did any song surprise you when they played it?
I absolutely went mad for "Gloria" on nights three and five. N2 was much, much more of a shocker, but being in the pit for it during N5 was outstanding. Also, N5's performance of "Bad" was spectacular. I actually ranked a top 5 performances from all five nights, listed below:
1. Gloria (N3)
2. Out of Control (N2)
3. Bad (N5)
4. The Electric Co (N4)
5. Pride (N3)
Pride was specifically great on N3 because it was the same day as the gay pride parade in Chicago, and right after gay marriage was legalized nation-wide. Other top-notch performances were "40," "All I Want Is You," and "Song For Someone" particularly on night three, in my opinion.
Did you like the stage and how it contributed to the whole show experience?
I have to be honest - this is not my favorite U2 stage. The end-stage dynamic isn't as great as the rounded / crowd-encompassing stages seen on the last three tours, even though the catwalk extends down the arena. It feels more like a theatrical show instead of a rock concert at many times, and the "T" shape of the end stage meeting the catwalk actually made me feel like I was more separated from the band than when they were able to walk around the pits. The screen itself is massively cool and there are obviously many cool effects, but I preferred the intimate feel of the Elevation Tour, the light curtains and ellipse of the Vertigo Tour, and the incorporation of revolutionary staging and inner/outer GA circles of the 360 Tour. (To be fair, I have only seen the 360 Tour of those mentioned above).
How were the other Chicago fans? Was there a particularly good vibe at any of the concerts?
I have to separate night one from this question. Having not seen U2 in four years, I was practically having an out of body experience for the entire show. It washed over me like crazy, and I was incredibly sore afterward from the constant jumping, screaming, singing, etc. So I'm not entirely sure how the crowd around me was...asking someone who was around me might give you a better answer
Night two was surreal. The crowd was amazing, and I've shared this story a few times - but there was a pair of children, probably 16 or so, standing with their mother that I caught singing along to every word of almost every song. During the second verse of EBTTRT, I saw the girl with her hands in the air singing along with Bono about being a honey-child to a swarm of bees, blowing through you like a breeze...and I was so delighted. This band is still reaching people who are connecting with their music in a big way! I wanted so badly to run over and say hello and befriend them, but I thought it would probably be a little creepy and unnecessary
On night three, I was in the stands with my dad - and I was still going absolutely bananas at that point. First time seeing the show from above, "Gloria", AIWIY, etc...it was incredible! Everyone around us stood as well.
The funny thing about night four was that, while I was in the stands where it was totally dead, I thought the GA crowd was incredibly alive. People all the way to the back of the room were jumping during the opening four songs. It was crazy! People near me sat almost the whole show, though. It was a bummer
Night five was right back to the surrealness of the GA pit!
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Thanks Matt!
