8:30pm this past Sunday night. I logged on to my laptop in anticipation of U2's YouTube-streamed concert, live from the Rose Bowl. All the publicity had drilled in my head 8:30, 8:30, but instead of hearing the crowd roar at the opening number I was subjected to the background music of a rolling prelim. And it was then I realized: 8:30pm. Pacific Time. Oops.
Three hours later, there I was, tucked in bed for the night with laptop on my chest. I watched it until 1am, although I confess to dozing off from time to time. Hey, I'm only human. How pleased I was when the entire concert was back on YouTube the next day, and presumably for many days in the future. Now I get to watch it in a full state of consciousness.
So here's my take on the whole "U2 360" circular stage and the "Claw" or "Spaceship" or whatever you want to call it: I'm not the greatest fan of the approach. It smacks of excess that runs the risk of becoming the show itself, rather than the music. Honestly, it reminds me in many ways of the PopMart Tour a decade ago that contributed in large part to the band's perceived demise, before All That You Can't Leave Behind rescued them. It's just hard for an audience to connect to four small guys on a huge stage, no matter how big the video screens are. I much prefer the Elevation or Vertigo tours which took place in smaller arenas rather than football stadiums, void of the over-reaching flash and glitz this tour has. A much more intimate feel, relatively-speaking.
But the music....well, that's a different story entirely. Thank God for the music. And yeah, I know, the album didn't sell all that well in the States (although I was quite fond of it). Nor was there a single that latched on to radio playlists for any decent length of time. But the reality is that U2, in my opinion, is beyond that. I just don't think they need a hit single that gets plays ad nauseam in order to stay relevant. That may sound kind of silly in a business that's all "what-have-you-done-for-me-lately," but I still believe it's true. Over the past three decades U2 has proven that they know how to make good music that speaks to the heart and soul. Even if it's performed on a ridiculously huge stage.
I missed them when they were in Raleigh a few weeks ago (good thing too, as apparently a significant number of fans missed the entire show due to traffic problems - I mean, how back would that suck??) They just announced more U.S. dates next summer. I hope to be at one of them.
In the meantime, take a couple of hours and enjoy the show. Some highlights: Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Unknown Caller, Where The Streets Have No Name. And how about The Unforgettable Fire and Ultraviolet (Light My Way) - when were the last time they played those live?? Watch it below or click here for a larger screen.
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