My U2 360 Experience

Mark Peterson 2011 / U2 360 Tour Chicago Eric Shivvers: Four songs into U2’s Chicago set list last month, I had to leave the pit area. The heat and the closeness of bodies were a little too much for me. I decided to gravitate towards the back of the stage, taking in the show on the huge monitor floating above the stage. Without seeing the actual band members, the energy coming across the “Big TV” was infectious. U2 was filling the arena with exactly what they had promised – 360 degrees of fun.

In order to offset the heat, I drank $30 worth of bottled water. I knew I would have to take a natural break and so I did. I slowly made my way to the concourse and onto the bathroom. Normally, I would never do this because I would be so into the show that missing an Edge lick or a Bono rant would not be missed but this night, the hot weather was playing a crucial role. 

When I exited the bathroom, I was able to walk the venue and take the show in via my 360 experience. I ambled through the crowd of the young, the old and the staggering. Along the way, I witnessed The band singing their classic  I Still haven’t Found What I’m Looking For from all aspects of the venue. What made my excursion interesting is that I never saw the band. The glow from the lights of the stage reflected off the arena walls silhouetted the crowd flanking my left as I walked ht concourse. Even at the far reaches of the arena, Bono had them in his hand, taking them on a journey as they sung in unison with him. 

One would say this was a waste of time and not a way to experience a U2 show, but I disagree. After seeing them from the pit twice on this tour in 2009, I had reason to take my own journey through the crowd. I wanted to feel the passion from the furthest reaches because that is where I started my U2 live experience, fives rows from the back of the arena at Carver-Hawkeye arena in 1987. On this night, I needed to get back to my roots as I wandered through the sweating flesh. It was something I needed to do.

Upon my return to the rail at the back of the stage area, I looked up as Gabby Gifford’s husband was introducing Beautiful Day. My Bedouin lifestyle within the arena for those fifteen odd minutes told me that no matter where you sat, no matter what your favorite album was or song you wanted to hear, we were at church with four Irishmen in the pulpit spilling out their heartfelt emotions for us no matter the weather.

Chicago Show Ranks #1

u2tourfans 2011 Just before the Irish rockers launched into “One Tree Hill” as an unscheduled encore, singer Bono warned the audience, “If we mess this up., please don’t put it in the Internet.”  He need not have worried.  It was a wonderful icing to a delicious feast of musical offerings from the band’s thirty year catalog.

All I can say is wow!  Wow that U2 has been putting out records for thirty plus years. Wow that they still sound as fresh and energetic as they did in the early eighties, even if Bono isn’t climbing the lighting towers.  He did however, use a mic cable as a swing.  He still uses the stage to deliver strong pro-democracy and pro-American political rhetoric.

The 360 tour played to a sold out Soldier Field, and the stage setup gave all fans, even those behind the stage glimpses of the band, as members took turns walking around the circular stage, playing to all sides of the stadium.  One of the messages on the video screen was from International Space Station astronaut Mark Kelly, husband of congresswoman Gabby Giffords.

Even better (than the real thing) was an amazing sound, allowing the vocal to sound crystal clear, which is pretty good for a football stadium.  The fans sang along at times, supplying a great chorus, even as the band finished a couple of songs, the fans kept singing.  My good friend Otis had picked a good spot on the field about fifty yards from the stage, and sixty feet from the outer ring that extended out into the field.

The band seemed to be having a great time, and Bono praised Chicago for its long time support of U2.

The opener was Interpol, a New York band, whose singer/guitarist looked like he could be David Beckham’s younger brother, and sang like Richard Butler of the Psychedelic Furs.

Hello Chicago U2 Fans !

Well finally 100 shows under the belt and here we are in Chicago. Our whole team is due to arrive today in Chicago. As we settle into our location and enjoy the wonderful city we will begin to look around for some U2TOURFANS signs. 

Just make a sign or poster snap a photo and send it in to U2TOURFANS.2011@twitpic.com

We may spot you live, or you can send it into our facebook page -

'Glastonbury on steroids'

U2 have promised they will play an epic, stadium-like performance at this year’s Glastonbury festival.

Bassist Adam Clayton told Q that the band’s headline performance on the Pyramid Stage on the Friday (June 24) of the Somerset bash will have grand production values.

Clayton said: “It’s very un-Glastonbury to have a big production but we will be sneaking a few things in through the back gate which will hopefully make this experience a little more like Glastonbury on steroids.”

He added: “We’re stretching the level of what can be done. We hope to create a mind blowing experience that reacts well with all the other substances involved.”