CowBoo Stadium U2 Plays in Tin Can

Dallas: More than 70,000 people attended U2’s 360 show that stopped off at Cowboys Stadium last night.

The boys from Ireland could not be more comfortable in a sea of massive people and stage. They played for a little bit over 2 hours which for this tour seems to be the norm. Check the set list out on the following pages. The larger than life stage once again seemed to melt away as the band played thru some hits, new songs and songs they could not play. (Bono’s comments once again to the crowd)

Dressed in black and prone to raising his arms and tilting his head back, as if basking in the presence of his disciples, he wasted no time in preaching peace, asking for a “non-violent revolution” and turning “Walk On,” the final number before the encore, into a thought-provoking tribute to Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi.

U2 explosive “Vertigo,” “Get On Your Boots,” “Elevation” and “Beautiful Day.” If you wanted a good groove, they delivered with “Mysterious Ways” and “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight.” The tunes from No Line On the Horizon, the quartet’s newest disc, blended perfectly with older material.

“Sunday Bloody Sunday,” an anthem that prompts fist pumping. It’s just as inspiring a song now, with all the violent political unrest in the world, as it was back in 1983 when it was originally released.

U2 landed its massive spaceship/stage comfortably inside the even more massive Cowboys Stadium on Monday night for a show that will be remembered as much for its sights as for its sounds.   Bono also gave a shout out to the Cowboys which were met with Boos. The night did not seem as magical as other cities yet fans agreed the show was far from what they expected and just as the feared. Cowboy Stadium was not built for sound some would argue not met for football either. However that’s not our focus.

So for the show stage, bands and music if you were up close we give the show an “A”. For Cowboy Stadium “F” this will go down as the worst venue on the North America tour.

Get on your Party Pass Dallas

Dave Long/U2TourFans.comDallas: The U2 360º Tour boasts an immense, stadium-shrinking stage design that has wowed fans from Barcelona to Boston. Designed by production designer Willie Williams and architect Mark Fisher, longtime U2 collaborators, the circular, immersive stage has been on the band’s mind since at least 2006. According to notes furnished by U2’s record label, the four-legged model was initially developed over dinner with a few forks during the Vertigo Tour.

The Irish quartet hasn’t been to North Texas since around that same time — 2005 — while touring in support of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. It has been more than a decade since U2 has played stadiums in North America; it last did so in 1997, during the infamous PopMart Tour.

With buzzy opening act Muse in tow, U2 plays Cowboys Stadium on Monday to promote its latest album, No Line on the Horizon. Tickets, as of this writing, are still available (Ticketmaster’s Web site showed seats at all price points), as are $30 “party passes” similar to the type sold for Dallas Cowboys games.

Here’s a closer look at U2’s gargantuan stage, designed, the band says, in an effort to “establish a physical proximity” to the audience. It will be situated near Cowboys Stadium’s eastern end zone.

U2TOURFANS File PhotoThe highest point

Much has been made about the fact that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is willing to move the gigantic HDTVs for a rock concert but not

for a pro football game. That’s

probably because few punters could manage the considerable height of U2’s elaborate 360-degree stage. The overall steel structure is 90 feet tall, while the center pylon reaches a height of 150 feet.

Ready for a close-up

While the whole audience can’t be on the field for an up-close look at Bono and his stylish shades, the band has made it easier to watch the action. Wrapped around the 360-degree stage is a cylindrical video screen, described by the band as “groundbreaking.” The screen weighs a whopping 54 tons — the overall design is built to withstand a weight of up to 180 tons — and covers 4,300 square feet.

Plenty of pixels

Dave Long/U2TourFans The cylindrical video screen is made up of 1 million individual elements: 500,000 pixels; 320,000 fasteners; 30,000 cables; and 150,000 machined pieces. It can be broken into segments on what’s called a “multiple pantograph system.” This allows the screen to open and/or spread apart vertically as an effect. The screen can open to 14,000 square feet, roughly the size of two doubles tennis courts.

Building it up, tearing it down

A stage this dramatic doesn’t go up quickly: The steel structure alone takes four days to build (the stages were originally constructed by the Belgian company Stageco). The construction of each stage requires the use of innovative, high-pressure hydraulic systems. It takes an additional 12 hours to load in the screen, stage and other production equipment. Once the crowds have dispersed, it takes the crew six hours to dismantle the production aspect. Forty-eight hours pass before the steel structure is taken down and removed from the stadium.

 

Sources: U2TOURFANS File,U2.com, Live Nation

Everything is bigger in Texas 360 Arrives

By any measure, U2 is one of the world’s biggest rock bands.

It stands to reason then, that for their latest jaunt around America, the rockers are delivering a truly outsized spectacle.

Dave Long/U2TOURFANS Staff 209 The U2 360º Tour boasts an immense, stadium-shrinking stage design that has wowed fans from Barcelona to Boston. Designed by production designer Willie Williams and architect Mark Fisher, longtime U2 collaborators, the circular, immersive stage has been on the band’s mind since at least 2006. According to notes furnished by U2’s record label, the four-legged model was initially developed over dinner with a few forks during the Vertigo Tour.

The Irish quartet hasn’t been to North Texas since around that same time — 2005 — while touring in support of How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. It has been more than a decade since U2 has played stadiums in North America; it last did so in 1997, during the infamous PopMart Tour.

With buzzy opening act Muse in tow, U2 plays Cowboys Stadium on Monday to promote its latest album, No Line on the Horizon. Tickets, as of this writing, are still available (Ticketmaster’s Web site showed seats at all price points), as are $30 “party passes” similar to the type sold for Dallas Cowboys games.

Here’s a closer look at U2’s gargantuan stage, designed, the band says, in an effort to “establish a physical proximity” to the audience. It will be situated near Cowboys Stadium’s eastern end zone.

The highest point

Much has been made about the fact that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is willing to move the gigantic HDTVs for a rock concert but not

for a pro football game. That’s

probably because few punters could manage the considerable height of U2’s elaborate 360-degree stage. The overall steel structure is 90 feet tall, while the center pylon reaches a height of 150 feet.

Ready for a close-up

AMG/U2TOURFANS 2009While the whole audience can’t be on the field for an up-close look at Bono and his stylish shades, the band has made it easier to watch the action. Wrapped around the 360-degree stage is a cylindrical video screen, described by the band as “groundbreaking.” The screen weighs a whopping 54 tons — the overall design is built to withstand a weight of up to 180 tons — and covers 4,300 square feet.

Plenty of pixels

The cylindrical video screen is made up of 1 million individual elements: 500,000 pixels; 320,000 fasteners; 30,000 cables; and 150,000 machined pieces. It can be broken into segments on what’s called a “multiple pantograph system.” This allows the screen to open and/or spread apart vertically as an effect. The screen can open to 14,000 square feet, roughly the size of two doubles tennis courts.

Building it up, tearing it down

A stage this dramatic doesn’t go up quickly: The steel structure alone takes four days to build (the stages were originally constructed by the Belgian company Stageco). The construction of each stage requires the use of innovative, high-pressure hydraulic systems. It takes an additional 12 hours to load in the screen, stage and other production equipment. Once the crowds have dispersed, it takes the crew six hours to dismantle the production aspect. Forty-eight hours pass before the steel structure is taken down and removed from the stadium.

 

72,000 as One

“U2 fans found what they were looking for”

“With U2, 72,000 beat as 1”

“U2’s ‘Magnificent’ Tampa performance”

 

The venue does matter. Looking back at all the great shows one main ingredient has to be the venue, and Tampa does not disappoint the boys from Ireland. U2 arrived in Tampa with all the hoopla focused on the large stage. Friday night’s show at Raymond James Stadium which considered to be toned down from previous productions however never call it small.     

The high-definition video screen, the major element in the band’s stated effort to bring the show closer to even the cheap seats, was the main attraction tech-wise. The enormous structure looming over the stage looked impressive all lit up, as at the beginning of “Where the Streets Have No Name,” but mostly faded into the background. Which is as it should be, because all the big-budget toys in the world can’t save a show this size from a second-rate band. And Friday’s show was first-rate.

The Edge’s arsenal of guitar effects gave the sound the heft it needed for the stadium setting. Bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen locked in tight, showing the benefits of 30 years of playing together. U2 may be the only band alive whose songs make more sense being played in front of more than 72,000 people. On the record, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” communicates restlessness and dissatisfaction. With thousands of voices singing along with U2 frontman Bono, it became a song about endless possibilities.

Songs of more recent vintage, such as “City of Blinding Lights” and “Beautiful Day” have that same quality. Friday, both exploded, as if U2’s last two scaled-down, arena tours hadn’t been big enough to house the songs.

Selections from this year’s “No Line on the Horizon” took on new life live as well. The band brought out the punkish simplicity of the title track to good effect, while “Get On Your Boots” became the rave-up it just missed being on disc.

The show’s latter portion focused more on social and political concerns, with photos from this year’s Iranian protests accompanying “Sunday, Bloody Sunday.” “Walk On” was dedicated to imprisoned Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

But in the end it was U2 that made the biggest impression — four musicians who wanted to be the biggest band in the world and succeeded.

Bono left the stage saying “Don’t forget about us” Which in the end seemed kind off for a band that just made the biggest impression on the bay area. You never forget your first, your last and most often the best so Bono I would said you have nothing to worry about.

A closing touch was the “One” campaign kiss photos featuring the muisc of Elton John’s Rocket Man. The night was complete, the stage hands, crew arrived with one swoop and off we go to the next city.

Sources: wide release

Epic rock 'n' roll from U2

TAMPA - Bono raced around stage belting out hits with his trademark passion, The Edge’s guitar riffs were as moving and powerful as ever and the stage was almost as big a star as the group itself.

The Irish group’s Tampa stop kicked off shortly after 8:30 p.m. with the first notes of “Breathe.” Much to the delight of the estimated crowd of 70,000, U2 took full advantage of The Claw, the 209-ton superstructure of a stage that’s reportedly the largest ever used for a rock show.

Raymond James Stadium was the site of the latest installment of the 360 Degree Tour.

Paramedics had a fairly steady number of calls of people suffering heat-related problems, but the calls dropped off once the sun set, said Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade. Only three people had to be taken to local hospitals, he said.

The Tampa Sports Authority handed out water to the concertgoers already at the stadium.

“They’re wonderful,” TSA spokeswoman Barbara Casey said of the fans. “They’re a mellow group, but it’s a hot group.”

U2 tends to inspire passion, and tonight was no exception.

“If we could go to Dublin, we would,” said Rob Bennett, from Brandon, outside the stadium. “Instead, we’re here in Tampa.”

Christine Neil timed her visit here from Scotland around the group’s itinerary.

“I had the tickets booked on the 14th of February of this year for the U2 gig,” she said. “Then I booked my holidays after that. So I had the tickets to the gig before my holiday.”

Jim Hebler waxed philosophical about the group.

“I think that …. especially with what’s been happening in the economy, with the problems that we’re facing with war and you get together with U2, they remind you that it’s all about one humanity. I think the positive energy that they’re going to throw forth in this show is going to be amazing.”

We have lots of photos and videos, for tonight we are going to retreat to the house tomorrow is another chance to share what is the event of the year for Tampa Bay.

 

70,000 U2 Fans to attend Raymond James

Good Morning U2: GA Lots open and 10,000 fans can start pouring into the parking lots. Remember the first-come, first-serve line starts at 9 a.m.

Remember this you will not be admitted until 5 p.m. Tampa is expected to be very hot today 90+ Don’t waste your time to come early if you do not have a GA ticket. Drink lots of water and be ready to just chill out. No worries every spot in this venue happens to be a great one.

Dave Long/U2Tourfans 2009Sean Daly (sptimes.com) Intimate.” That seems like an odd word to use to describe That Thing, which takes 31/2 days to build — and 11/2 to tear down. The tour employs more than 350 staffers, traveling on 114 trucks; another 1,500 local workers will be on hand to make sure it’s all pulled off with panache.”

Fans with cell camera’s listen up we want to see your photos we have a special email address for you. Fill out the form and we will send you all the details.

Set List: Tonight we will have live set list updates and postings.

Dave Long/ U2Tourfans 2009 1000Mikes: We have reserved a mike channel - We have not selected someone to broadcast for us yet. Interested let us know.

Photos: We have a treat that we can not talk about yet. Know this if your from Tampa we will have a very special guest photo feature.

Video Drop/Photo Drop: The drop box was opened at 4 AM and we have some really great stuff. So if you want to send us your video or photos feel free to use this link.

Tickets: We do not have an extra tickets, nor can we get you any passes don’t ask.

Twitter: You can follow us via tweeter @U2tourfans If your posting too please add to the end of your post #U2TOURFANS that way we can track and RT your post -

What do you need to know: Read this section and be sure you drink lots of water

Welcome U2 Fans, Bloggers and Crew

Welcome to Tampa Bay home to U2TOURFANS. Yes your in our back yard this week. We are glad your here. Enjoy the town. Couple of points of interest.

 

  1. Tampa does have its own Space Ship no you can’t bring your kids.
  2. Tampa has more strip clubs in a square mile then any other city in the US
  3. The Stadium floor is covered with steel do not sit on it you will thank us, its HOT
  4. The pirate ship does not move. 
  5. No thongs allowed on any beach
  6. No beer or alcohol allowed to be open, on the beach in your car.
  7. Traffic will be a mess call our LIMO friends - 727 520 1840 and ask for the U2TOURFANS deal
  8. Suites require tickets
  9. Cameras allowed
  10. Security will feel you up

Dave Long/U2TOURFANS 2009 Those with general admission field tickets can start lining up on the north side of the stadium at 7 a.m. They will be given wrist bands and can bring chairs and coolers, but will have to bring those items back to their cars before going inside. Gates to get inside the stadium open at 5 p.m. Parking for those with floor seating is in lots 1 and 3A.

Lots 5,6, and 7 will open at noon. Other lots open at 3 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. with opening act, MUSE.

Officials with the Tampa Sports Authority said the traffic situation should be very similar to a Bucs game. They do expect more signs on the interstate because of all the out-of-towners coming in for the show.

Non-professional cameras are allowed inside, but not video cameras.