TJT
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2017-07-08 - London
 Tour: Joshua Tree Tour 2017
Songs played: 25
Audio recordings: 4
Videos: 1
  1. It should be noted that all who complain about setlists do so in the knowledge that we are a unique bunch in a less than 1% bracket of the fan base who go to more than one show and follow daily set list parties.

    Within that group some complaints are justified but we all know deep down that our negative thoughts are futile in the grand scheme of things.


  2. Great review and spot on. I'm glad that there is the debate between old and new fans, die-hards and fans-in-passing. It suggests there's life in the ould dog yet!
  3. U2 have never really changed sets lists, the War tour was pretty fixed each show, the original Joshua Tree and Lovetown gave different variations over multiple nights but set lists have been pretty fixed since Zoo probably due to the visual aspects and music technology in use under stage during shows
    On another note does anyone have a spare Joshua Tree pint 'glass' that were on sale at the bars in London, mine broke whilst leaving, happy to pay some uk postage.
  4. Originally posted by germcevoy:It should be noted that all who complain about setlists do so in the knowledge that we are a unique bunch in a less than 1% bracket of the fan base who go to more than one show and follow daily set list parties.

    Within that group some complaints are justified but we all know deep down that our negative thoughts are futile in the grand scheme of things.
    We just have to accept that U2 are not natural musicians (such as The E Street band) and still appear to lack confidence after 40 in the business. They are terrified of any deviation in the set and as long as their set is dictated by Willie Williams, Gavin Friday & the like instead of by the lead singer of the band we're unlikely to ever get a shock & awe setlist. We'll continue to moan amongst ourselves of course but in the end we'll accept U2 for what they are.
  5. It was a fantastic concert. Great crowd, great night.

    But:

    One just does not work at the end. It was screaming out for I Will Follow. End on a high. After Bono's long chat the pace of the night is lost. People around me were all saying "why no 40" as we walked down the stairs and they were clearly casual fans who did not know set patterns.

    As it has basically just become a great hits set anyway the tour would work better doing more 80s songs pre-JT and less songs afterwards.

    Miss Sarajevo is dreadful if Bono doesn't sing it all. I'd guess 70-80% of the crowd don't even know it, you could hear a lot of chatting.

    The first 4 songs are incredible, beyond words, Joshua Tree phenomenal, encore needs a re-think... but won't happen.
  6. Originally posted by treasure:[..]
    We just have to accept that U2 are not natural musicians (such as The E Street band) and still appear to lack confidence after 40 in the business. They are terrified of any deviation in the set and as long as their set is dictated by Willie Williams, Gavin Friday & the like instead of by the lead singer of the band we're unlikely to ever get a shock & awe setlist. We'll continue to moan amongst ourselves of course but in the end we'll accept U2 for what they are.
    Very much agreed on all points and in either case we hand in our moaning passes every Tour year when we start dropping thousands making plans when we know what we will get.

    See you in Dub sir.
  7. Miss Sarajevo is a complete baffler. Majority of the crowd don't know it so it doesn't play to the casuals, it's been played extensively since 2005 so the die hards have had their full of yet then Bono doesn't even sing the climactic part of the song. Bit of a waste in the set list I feel (though I do like the arrangement over the piano only versions).
  8. Originally posted by germcevoy:Miss Sarajevo is a complete baffler. Majority of the crowd don't know it so it doesn't play to the casuals, it's been played extensively since 2005 so the die hards have had their full of yet then Bono doesn't even sing the climactic part of the song. Bit of a waste in the set list I feel (though I do like the arrangement over the piano only versions).
    Yeah I have to say that is the most bizarre choice of the setlist. For me it must definitely be a song they all like and I think I'm right in saying it's fairly simple to play not a lot of chord changes. That and the overall message of the song probably lead to it being an easy pick for the band hence why it's been played in previous tours frequently also. Still a strange one though for both a casual and hardcore fans point of view in that neither would really ask for it. Have to say though having seen it at Twickenham 1 I still enjoyed it, not 360 level but still good.

  10. Seriously though, it's a toss up as they were both outstanding for very different reasons.

    Can't wait for Croke now!
  11. Originally posted by germcevoy:It should be noted that all who complain about setlists do so in the knowledge that we are a unique bunch in a less than 1% bracket of the fan base who go to more than one show and follow daily set list parties.

    Within that group some complaints are justified but we all know deep down that our negative thoughts are futile in the grand scheme of things.

    Wise words m'man - having spent the last two tours following every show's setlist as it was announced, I did my best this time to ignore setlists before Sunday (although alas wasn't entirely possible as I'm a sucker for temptation), so had a rough idea of what was to come but not the precise details.

    Even so, wow.

    For me, last night was bloody incredible. Was stood stage right just in front of the Red Zone, about 7 metres away from the B-stage, close enough to feel like I could touch the boys when they wandered up and down. I couldn't even begin to tell you guys what my highlight was, everything was special. I'm still digesting it all in my head. From my earliest days of fandom, that was the kind of thing I wanted from a U2 gig in terms of staging, spectacle, setlist etc. Sure, they could have really mixed it up by throwing in Wild Horses (I can but dream..) but it's a reboot of JT in the 2010s, so I think they struck a fine balance between oldies, newbies, and unknownies for the superfan and the casual listener, and Bono obviously didn't disappoint with his rambles and Bonoisms.

    Ahhh heck. It was just immense.

    I mean, even Noely G's opener was worth the entrance fee alone, but having just spent Saturday in Hyde Park seeing Cold War Kids, Tears for Fears, Elbow, and then The Killers with the ultimate festival headline set, I can safely say that was one of the best weekends I've ever had.

    Am now off to go and cool down in a dark room for a few days.

    Peace y'all x
  12. I was there with a gang last night...amongst them a U2 virgin concert goer. He was blown away with it all
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