Reprint: Jesse Lawrence Forbes Contributor
Mark Peterson / U2TOURFANS 2015
New York: U2 has been no stranger to extravagant set designs over the last three decades. While the band is most known from its hits from the 80s — spawned mostly from 1987’s classic album The Joshua Tree — U2’s lavish set designs did not start until after the release of Achtung Baby in 1991. The “Zoo TV” Tour that followed was the band’s first with massive screens and what was deemed an intentional “sensory overload.” Screens played a mixture of closeups, prerecorded videos and live television while renovated Trabants were a part of the lighting system. Since then, the evolution of U2’s concert experience has continued to place the band in a story played throughout the show.
Even as the show and production value continue to expand, it is the music that always brings fans back to the shows. Editor-In-Chief/Founder of U2TOURFANS.com Andres Gonzalez is one of such fans, noting that “Young rock bands should take notice. U2′s original sound builds a success-long career which includes sold out shows at Madison Square Garden.” U2 still has six shows remaining at Madison Square Garden, the last of which will be Friday, July 31.
The mixture of sound and show has brought the experience of U2 concerts from its simple atmosphere of the 80′s to the massive production it is today. 1997’s “PopMart” Tour featured a 150’ by 50’ LED screen – the largest of its time – along with a 100-foot high arch and a 35-foot-high mirrorball that transported the band between main and side stages. U2 has continued to build upon its unique stage designs with each passing tour and there has been no shortage of innovation since. Such originality has continually kept ticket demand high, especially for U2 tickets on the secondary market.
