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  1. True, true. Not to mention that cartoon in the current show. It seems like they're really trying to encapsulate everything they've done at the moment.

    The better question to this is, does the band themselves know when they're going to stop? What plan do they have in mind? An album? A tour?
  2. I don’t think they have another album in them or have the desire to. They’ve taken their sound as far as they can, and they’ve starting repeating themselves. I would say most people attending the current tour are going because they like u2 and their back catalogue and not necessarily because SOE is a great album (it isn’t in my view!). So a farewell tour is the most likely next in 3/4 years time. They can retire with a good legacy in tact and hopefully release loads of live concerts for their fans!
  3. I sincerely hope U2 don't go the "Farewell Tour" route. When it is time to stop, just let it end.

    Case in point- Rush in 2015 on their R40 tour. All they said was that it would be their last tour on a major scale. Anyone smart enough could read between the lines, and it is now very obvious they are done.

    And re: the band repeating themselves. I don't think so, not at all. However, that is what 2004-2006 was.
  4. Last week or so, The Edge said that they have plenty of material for the next album, I think we will hear/see much more from them. :-)
  5. I can't see them making an album knowing it'd be their last, right after SOE just came out. That record is as good of a bookend to their career as could almost possibly be at this point. For crying out loud, look at the cover.

    I hope the eventual tour will be "Elevation-style," in arenas, minimal tech (but, of course, some inevitable gimmick) and a real true-to-form arena show like they know they're good at.

    Serious question: They've never "re-used" a stage concept until now. How would you feel about a farewell tour incorporating different elements of their past tours?

    -Heart-shaped catwalk
    -Floating lamps from Vertigo tour
    -Maybe a single trabant lighting a B-stage

    I can't tell if I'd want to see something totally unique and fresh, or a full homage to their career in that form.
  6. Originally posted by MattG:I can't see them making an album knowing it'd be their last, right after SOE just came out. That record is as good of a bookend to their career as could almost possibly be at this point. For crying out loud, look at the cover.

    I hope the eventual tour will be "Elevation-style," in arenas, minimal tech (but, of course, some inevitable gimmick) and a real true-to-form arena show like they know they're good at.

    Serious question: They've never "re-used" a stage concept until now. How would you feel about a farewell tour incorporating different elements of their past tours?

    -Heart-shaped catwalk
    -Floating lamps from Vertigo tour
    -Maybe a single trabant lighting a B-stage

    I can't tell if I'd want to see something totally unique and fresh, or a full homage to their career in that form.
    They re-used the Elevation set-up, rounded it off and called it "the ellipse" hahaha.
  7. To be clear, I'm not saying I 100% predict that they won't make another album or release more music - it just seems like if they WERE going to end their career, it honestly seems like a fairly appropriate juncture to do it

    It would probably seem early, which in all honesty a good thing. If they retire and too many people are saying "yeah, about time" it won't mean as much.
  8. Well yeah but you could also say they re-used the B stage, since they introduced the concept on ZooTV and also did it on PopMart. That was more of a show element they knew they couldn't abandon - incorporating the crowd into the catwalk - and hasn't left the show since.
  9. They don't need to re-use elements of any old stage show. We've had enough nostalgia lately with the JT tour.

    Also, being as how they always intended on doing more shows in the style if IE/EI we all fully knew they would be bringing this back. It is just a continuation, really.
  10. Originally posted by MattG:I can't see them making an album knowing it'd be their last, right after SOE just came out. That record is as good of a bookend to their career as could almost possibly be at this point. For crying out loud, look at the cover.

    I hope the eventual tour will be "Elevation-style," in arenas, minimal tech (but, of course, some inevitable gimmick) and a real true-to-form arena show like they know they're good at.

    Serious question: They've never "re-used" a stage concept until now. How would you feel about a farewell tour incorporating different elements of their past tours?

    -Heart-shaped catwalk
    -Floating lamps from Vertigo tour
    -Maybe a single trabant lighting a B-stage

    I can't tell if I'd want to see something totally unique and fresh, or a full homage to their career in that form.
    Good points. I'd like to see the farewell a stripped-down Elevation style show, as well... But, since it seems like to be firsts on tour with some kind of innovative stage/lighting/screen/sound that's never been done before every tour, could they go out without doing that one last time?

    I guess it could be something simple (I was amazed when I read the article about this thinking to myself "I can't believe that in the history of arena rock nobody else had done this") So, I guess they could figure out a "first" without giant walls or Disco lemons or Claws.
  11. One thing they've yet to do is utilize the ceiling of an arena. Couldn't believe U2 weren't the first to do a concept like Red Hot Chili Peppers tour a few years ago.



  12. Originally posted by MattG:To be clear, I'm not saying I 100% predict that they won't make another album or release more music - it just seems like if they WERE going to end their career, it honestly seems like a fairly appropriate juncture to do it

    It would probably seem early, which in all honesty a good thing. If they retire and too many people are saying "yeah, about time" it won't mean as much.
    Agreed.

    And as far as farewell tour and what that could and should look like, I've no idea. I think I'd want it to be extremely basic, as you said. Simple stage, maybe one simple little gimmick, but nothing like they're pushing some brand new extreme idea. I'd just want it to be "an intimate night with U2, one last time", and that's it.

    I think the only reason I'd want them to do another tour at least is because the Experience show wasn't that satisfying. While the album is a perfect bookend and I'd be very happy with it being their last, this "half" of the tour wasn't, IMO. There was no moment of really thinking "this is it, this is goodbye", you know? I didn't leave with that satisfaction - especially considering the cartoon said "to be continued" as if they know there's unfinished business. Fuck, I saw the Joshua Tree Tour last year and it was amazing, but to have my last show be the one the other night and NOT hear Streets? Not having it.

    But I think ultimately I'd like something like an arena tour, Elevation style. No massive screen, just the whole arena focused on the boys, and no gimmicks, just them up there doing their thing. I'd be happy to hear them not even use backing tracks etc. - just the four guys. As much as I know the band hate being nostalgic, this tour had some of it, and I'd love even more of it. I'd love for them to start a show with Out of Control "we're called U2, this is our first single" and end with 40, end with Larry leaving the stage. I'd love moments like the Streets/ZooTV moment when Bono waves to his younger self. That sort of stuff.
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Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.