Originally posted by Remy:[..]
Yeah my plan is to create a book with a few highlights of each show I went to this year, and then to frame another few in my room. Just as a reminder of this crazy journey.
I had a brief chat with Remy and Gerard as they were heading back to the queue. It was a little too early for me to think about lining up, so I went off in search of food and something to do. Myself and my brother joined the queue at roughly 16:30 and we were considerably further along the GA line than we were on Sunday night. We were aiming for the e-stage again after a disappointing spot on Sunday. I had no problems with the ticketless entry, although the security guy did ask to see a booking confirmation which meant I had to dig around in my e-mails for a short while. We made a quick stop at the toilets and then headed onto the floor.
Originally posted by iTim:
Unless you absolutely must have rail or you want to be in front two or three rows at the main stage, there's no need to queue up.man.
That tongue though is a bit weird [ /girlmode ]
Originally posted by germcevoy:[..]
Correction. Should say 'unless you are attending with Remy........there's no reason to queue up
Originally posted by iTim:I guess I should post my thoughts from last night.
First off, it was great to meet Gerard for the first time. Nothing like the forum persona
I walked straight up to Gerard who was sitting down by the rail and could've easily been second row behind him after not waiting anywhere near as long. Unless you absolutely must have rail or you want to be in front two or three rows at the main stage, there's no need to queue up. I turned up after gates opened in Barcelona and got third row, and I got second row twice in London by queuing at 17:15 on Sunday and 16:30 on Monday. I didn't stick around with Gerard and Remy though, my brother wanted to try and get a rail spot where Bono's gate is. That meant lining up on the yellow line and waiting with security before Bono entered the arena.
We had a great view of his entrance which was great to experience. Once he had leapt up onto the stage though, there was a mad rush for rail. Unfortunately I missed out, I was second row again. Still had a excellent view though, probably the best view of the main stage that I've had at any Innocence and Experience show, looking directly down the barricage. It was great to hear Out of Control for the first time. I really enjoyed the first four songs. I couldn't really get into Iris again, it just doesn't connect with me that well. Cedarwood Road was a new experience as I couldn't see any screen. Bono completely disappeared and it was all about The Edge for that one. Of course, Bono reappears for Song For Someone and I really do enjoy seeing him sing up close. Until The End Of The World was another new experience based on my spot. The lights shining down the screen and the paper flying out at the end is spectacular to see.
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The next part of the show is bizarre. First of all I nearly got hit on the head by those banners that unfold. I had no idea they came out so far into the crowd. Invisible was very strange. I couldn't see a damn thing. Fortunately they don't spend too long in the screen. Once they emerge for the heartbeat of innocence or whatever it is, the fun resumes. Don't get me wrong, The Fly and Invisible are great to watch from the sides, but they are completely lost on the fans who are head on. I didn't get to see much of Even Better Than The Real Thing or Mysterious Ways though because the two brothers that were pulled on stage were holding their fking sign up throughout. Security made them put it down for Desire, thankfully.
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The e-stage was a lot of fun, I really liked hearing Desire for the first time. I probably would've enjoyed Angel of Harlem too if the brothers had not been pulled on. And soon after they started playing, a woman decided to force her way to the front. We weren't having any of it and stood our ground. she soon shifted. Every Breaking Wave is a very intimate song when you're stood at the e-stage. You can really see Bono go for it. From then on it's highlight after highlight for me. October is something else when paired with the visuals, really striking. What I didn't know is that they put a big LCD screen on the e-stage for those that can't see the main screen. They clearly feel it's a moment that needs to be taken in. Then the run of Bullet > Zooropa > Streets > (and even) Pride is fantastic. I still don't quite agree with the megaphone and I don't think we'll be friends by the end of the week, but I can live with it. Pride is a good song to just take a step back (not literally, you'll lose your spot) and take in the audience. They go mad for it. And with the lights up you can see everyone dancing, from the GA to the roof.
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I'll never understand an encore that opens with City of Blinding Lights. It doesn't belong there at all. Neither does Beautiful Day, but I quite like the song and I'm happy to put up with it. Once Beautiful Day had finished, the guy in front of me decided it was time to go which meant I finally got a rail spot. Shame it was only for the closer. Noel Gallagher as special guest was great. He didn't seem to contribute a great deal, but it was a lot of fun being in that room last night. Super little snippet/medley/whatever at the end too. I glanced over at Remy and he had a huge smile on his face
Overall, it was better than night one I thought. My spot at each show contributed a lot to the experience. I was halfway down the catwalk on night one which was great for a few songs, but I couldn't see the screen, the main stage, or the e-stage without straining my neck. Last night was an excellent spot. The only dampener was having a sign in my face for a few songs and a(nother) very rude woman.
Apologies for the rambling and for breaking this run of great photos that have been posted in the 12 hours I've been typing. I only had my phone on me.