U2start.com | Joshua Tree tour hits London

and it was sold out!

I know... just think of how many more tickets could have been sold. I stood at the side for each show (different side each night) level with the tree so we could sit on the side wall when needed and easily get to the toilets and bars. The Red Zone seemed empty, the seats looked full but that last 3rd of the GA is empty.

CraigFairlie

7 years

Originally posted by DutchU2Fan:[image]
That GA

I was in among it. It was great that you could move about and wasn't too crowded.

Caledonia

7 years

Yeah to be honest you typically will see this kind of thing at any given stadium show - the back quarter/third of the field is usually fairly roomy as everyone is packed in like sardines up in the front half - sometimes ridiculously so like on this tour where afaik there hasn't been any separation of the front GA from the rear GA - not sure why they've gone down that route - maybe a cost cutting corners kind of thing or something - requires more hired showsec etc - I don't know - though I think I saw that Dublin has a different setup where there will be some sort of separation on the pitch like they have done since Zoo TV for the most part.

So I don't think they're underselling the venue or anything like that - they'll have safety limits they have to stick to on GA. It just kinda looks bad when you see it looking almost half empty like that, but crazy amount of people packed in up front for sure.

blueeyedboy

7 years

Originally posted by Caledonia:Yeah to be honest you typically will see this kind of thing at any given stadium show - the back quarter/third of the field is usually fairly roomy as everyone is packed in like sardines up in the front half - sometimes ridiculously so like on this tour where afaik there hasn't been any separation of the front GA from the rear GA - not sure why they've gone down that route - maybe a cost cutting corners kind of thing or something - requires more hired showsec etc - I don't know - though I think I saw that Dublin has a different setup where there will be some sort of separation on the pitch like they have done since Zoo TV for the most part.

So I don't think they're underselling the venue or anything like that - they'll have safety limits they have to stick to on GA. It just kinda looks bad when you see it looking almost half empty like that, but crazy amount of people packed in up front for sure.

I kind of think it's by design, as well. They know that GA is mostly comprised of diehards. By leaving room for retreat makes a comfortable environment. As well as safe, as you mentioned. This is what I've always loved about GA for U2... Room to roam if you desire to do so...

WojBhoy

7 years

Originally posted by Caledonia:Yeah to be honest you typically will see this kind of thing at any given stadium show - the back quarter/third of the field is usually fairly roomy as everyone is packed in like sardines up in the front half - sometimes ridiculously so like on this tour where afaik there hasn't been any separation of the front GA from the rear GA - not sure why they've gone down that route - maybe a cost cutting corners kind of thing or something - requires more hired showsec etc - I don't know - though I think I saw that Dublin has a different setup where there will be some sort of separation on the pitch like they have done since Zoo TV for the most part.

So I don't think they're underselling the venue or anything like that - they'll have safety limits they have to stick to on GA. It just kinda looks bad when you see it looking almost half empty like that, but crazy amount of people packed in up front for sure.

Aye - it was the same at Sheffield in '09 when I was sat at the far side of the ground, and that was both a sell-out and a cracking atmosphere.

I mean, gap or no, it was still an absolute arse-ache getting out of Twickenham afterwards on Sunday night, felt like being in a slow-motion version of 28 Days Later.

Caledonia

7 years

Originally posted by Caledonia:...blah blah blah... looking almost half empty ...blah blah blah...

I know it's crass to quote your own posts and all that but just noticed the above - I'm usually a glass half full kinda guy as opposed to half empty - or so I thought lol - it's the little things that give you away

Caledonia

7 years

Originally posted by WojBhoy:[..]
Aye - it was the same at Sheffield in '09 when I was sat at the far side of the ground, and that was both a sell-out and a cracking atmosphere.

I mean, gap or no, it was still an absolute arse-ache getting out of Twickenham afterwards on Sunday night, felt like being in a slow-motion version of 28 Days Later.

Was at Sheffield 09 too - what a brilliant day, show, venue that was - and Elbow as support with the sun setting behind them - it was heavenly.

Yeah getting away from Twickenham was a bit tedious to say the least, that moment where you do finally get some breathing room though is pure bliss. One of my toes has gone completely numb from all the standing and tight fitting walking boots lol, hope its not about to drop off or whatever lol - looks ok though. I recall some guy in the queue at Twickenham tube station kept making loud sheep bleating noises much to many peoples amusement.

WojBhoy

7 years

Originally posted by Caledonia:[..]
Was at Sheffield 09 too - what a brilliant day, show, venue that was - and Elbow as support with the sun setting behind them - it was heavenly.

Yeah getting away from Twickenham was a bit tedious to say the least, that moment where you do finally get some breathing room though is pure bliss. One of my toes has gone completely numb from all the standing and tight fitting walking boots lol, hope its not about to drop off or whatever lol - looks ok though. I recall some guy in the queue at Twickenham tube station kept making loud sheep bleating noises much to many peoples amusement.

Totally agree on Sheffield, amazing show - still can't get over how mad that claw looked in the middle of Don Valley. Rotherham United never saw crowds like that! Funnily enough, I saw Elbow on Saturday at BST too, seems to be some strange connection between seeing Elbow and U2 in the same 24 hours..

I was at Twickenham for the Aviva Prem final back in May, and leaving was nowhere near as cramped, but then there wasn't a good few thousand people on the pitch that day! My right foot was pretty numb from all the waiting too - we ended up right at the front of the crowd when the security raised the rope to wait for the station to clear - faraway, so close! And all that. Was stood next to some fine Irish bods who'd had a few, they started chatting to the guy in the chair with the megaphone and it was all pretty decent spirits too, a good vibe despite everyone being absolutely shattered and just wanting to get home by that point!

Was contemplating going to Reading to try and catch one on the way back but fortunately managed to make one of the last ones to Waterloo. Still had to nightbus it to SW London, I'm still trying to catch up on the sleep!

Caledonia

7 years

Originally posted by WojBhoy:[..]
Totally agree on Sheffield, amazing show - still can't get over how mad that claw looked in the middle of Don Valley. Rotherham United never saw crowds like that! Funnily enough, I saw Elbow on Saturday at BST too, seems to be some strange connection between seeing Elbow and U2 in the same 24 hours..

I was at Twickenham for the Aviva Prem final back in May, and leaving was nowhere near as cramped, but then there wasn't a good few thousand people on the pitch that day! My right foot was pretty numb from all the waiting too - we ended up right at the front of the crowd when the security raised the rope to wait for the station to clear - faraway, so close! And all that. Was stood next to some fine Irish bods who'd had a few, they started chatting to the guy in the chair with the megaphone and it was all pretty decent spirits too, a good vibe despite everyone being absolutely shattered and just wanting to get home by that point!

Was contemplating going to Reading to try and catch one on the way back but fortunately managed to make one of the last ones to Waterloo. Still had to nightbus it to SW London, I'm still trying to catch up on the sleep!

Haha yeah same, still cream crackered myself, I should be getting some work done today, but gonna have another recovery day and chill with some bootlegs

I had 4 sheets of printouts on me on Sat / Sun of tube / nightbus options if I missed it back to Waterloo, buses to Gunnersbury from Twickenham and whatnot, all looked pretty confusing and ideally not what you want to be working out after having been on your feet for 18+ hours O.o And I think Sunday night would have required like 4 or 5 different changes to get back to the hotel, if I missed the Waterloo train.

In the end I got to Waterloo ok, and then binned said printouts and succombed to a taxi back from Waterloo, as I just couldn't be bothered trying to figure any of the printouts out - despite having spent hours acquiring all the info from the TFL website lol. So yeah dipped into the emergency funds and a taxi back, 90 min queue for one on Saturday back to Tower Hill where I was at. But yeah all good spirits, full of U2 fans all the way, plenty of good banter, didn't see one flare up from anyone all weekend. As tedious as the travelling and queuing can be, I suppose at the end of the day it's all part of the adventure and the memories you'll have in years to come.

LikeASong

7 years