U2 Summer Night In Tampa
Howling the women and children
Who run into the arms
Of America.
U2 rolled into Tampa has one of the hottest summer concert tickets, and then the sky darkened as to say hold on mother nature has a few words for you. A rainbow appeared over the stadium as to say tonight will be magical, spiritual and will take you back to that place in time. Many wondered why dust off Joshua Tree for a tour; was it because of the new album still in the works and not ready for release, was it to stay relevant as core U2 fans had heard many times before. Or was it simply the perfect time to remind us to take care of each other?
The night opened the center stage with "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and ended with "Vertigo" The set list was a roller coaster of visuals and emotions that had fans dancing and with a flip of a switch standing still and staring at the screen filled with images of women, children, hope, and possibility. "Red Hill Mining Town" featured the Salvation Army Band in perfect timing with the performance. Bono had a few words for the politics of America as well as praise. "Thank you for giving us safety for many many many years - this was a promised land for the Irish for years." - Bono
U2 Welcome to Our House
U2 / U2TOURFANS/ Mark Peterson 2017
TAMPA, Fla. As U2 fans from around the world continue to converge on Tampa Bay, one thing is for sure. Tampa knows how to handle the big shows. U2 has performed in Tampa before, a few times in fact, nor is this Tampa's first time handling major events.
Most of the core U2 fans that have attended other shows have experiences about the entry process to the entire GA Golden Book to know how to get up close and personal with their favorite band member. In 2009 U2 packed more than 70,000 dedicated fans into the new Tampa stadium at the time making it the largest concert event ever.
So what can you expect? Well, security will be tight, very tight. Fans leave your selfie stick, and pretty much everything else at home. Bring that credit card you used to buy your ticket and be sure that all of your group is together. Smile, enjoy the process because if you do not enjoy the process; well the rest of the evening will SUCK. Yea we said SUCK. It could rain, and yes the band will perform. They have experience in the rain.
What else do you need to know?
Use only a clear bag. No large bags, umbrellas. Remember we have told you this on every North American stadium show. Its an NFL rule not the venue, not the promoter or the band. If don't bring it to a game don't bring it to this concert.
Pay attention to drop off points for ride sharing in this town professional car services have the prime spots which mean you can expect to see tons of town cars, limos, party buses and your's looks like ours so pay attention.
One thing we can for sure tell you. Your about to have the experience of a lifetime. U2 has perfected the stadium show. Just relax and enjoy it.
For us this is bittersweet, this is home for our owner and his family, and while he and his wife will be attending the show, he is fully expecting our team to be even more on point. So wait to see some live video on social media and heck he might even throw a few shout outs back to us. ( one can hope )
Millennials dont give a shit about U2
Zach Schlein who writes for Miami New times just slammed the mic on the ground when it comes to U2. All of the concerns of U2's relevance made abundantly clear from this writer perspective.
U2 has been working on their new album for some time, and yes we have all heard about the band's desire to be relevant. Zach provides a clear picture of millennial wants and music tastes. Zach writes" They love avocados and the dog Snapchat filter. They reject the concept of napkins and are reluctant to buy homes, possibly because their budgets are only big enough to account for avocados. They love sharing about politics on social media, whether it be expressing their profound distaste for the commander-in-chief or posting poorly drawn frogs." The article goes on and on about the errors of the band in the view of today's music fans. Questions how much longer must this go on. Most dedicated U2 fans are well over 40 and pretty much consider millennial pikers or punters when it comes to musical understanding Zach does have some insights to what millennial music fans want today. Now it takes balls to put it out on the table for all to read. For that, sure makes for an interesting article. Save the hate comments and bashing this is not the first writer to throw some shade at the boys from Dublin and frankly, Zach is not the last. You can read all Zach's comments on Miami New Times
Bonnaroo and U
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
U2 had one of their best weekends in a pretty long time. The Bonnaroo appearance on Friday night by all accounts was the first appearance for U2 at Roo, and the boys did not disappoint fans, scheduled for a 90-minute performance the came in and handled business with an abbreviated Joshua Tree Tour and played for about 1.45. Bono said, Thanks for "getting out of your tents and caravans and giving us a night we'll never, ever forget!" He also joked, "What an extraordinary thing Bonnaroo is, thank you for naming it after me."
Pittsburgh Dedicated Fans
Bono / Neil Barnes / U2TOURFANS / 2017
Pittsburgh: This was the lowest attendance so far on tour. However, this worked out well for dedicated U2 fans. Tonight the boys played their only Pittsburgh show since July 2011. Bono was in full energy and with a couple of shout outs to the Steelers, fans cheered right back. Bono also said “Here we still are, here you still are,” Bono said. “What a blessing.” Truly the fans embrace the boys from Dublin and have been a dedicated group of fans for well over 30 years.
The setlist was as follows:
Sunday Bloody Sunday
New Year's Day
Bad / America (snippet)
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Where The Streets Have No Name
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
With Or Without You
Bullet The Blue Sky / Black Dog (snippet)
Running To Stand Still
Red Hill Mining Town
In God's Country
Trip Through Your Wires
One Tree Hill
Exit / Wise Blood (snippet) / Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (snippet)
Mothers Of The Disappeared
Encore(s):
Miss Sarajevo / The New Colossus (snippet)
Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
One
Beautiful Day
Elevation
Happy Birthday
The Little Things That Give You Away
*Snips provided by U2gigs.com
Scott Mervis from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. They could have filled a couple more hours with beloved songs but wrapped it up with a joyously explosive “Beautiful Day,” followed by an even louder, wilder “Elevation,” and then a softer new song “The Little Things That Give You Away” rather than “I Will Follow.”
It was a bit of a flat ending to a very high-energy show. I’ve never heard The Edge so super-charged, and anyone who entered with doubts about U2 still being one of the most influential and relevant stadium bands in the world was put straight in a monstrously big way.
Now the boys head off to the farm and not the farm that most crew members hate ( in the industry if the band goes to the farm that means their off the road to get cleaned up, not a good thing when you earn your check on the road) Our boys are off to Roo! Which should be an experience to remember.
#U2TheJoshuaTree2017 #U2 #Bonnaroo #TheFarm #MudFest #WhoWhereWhat #SoHighInTheSky
Mexico ! South America ! More US Dates
New York: The must see tour of the year ! Now heads to Mexico and South America before swinging back around to some U.S Stadiums. Fans have speculated for weeks of a possible Mexican, South American leg. Today U2 announced more North American dates and Mexico City and some South American dates.
In Mexico and South America, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have been confirmed as special guest for all dates. Tickets will go on sale Wed. June 14th in Mexico City, June 15th in Bogota, Buenos Aires and Santiago and Friday June 16th in Sao Paulo.
There will be an exclusive priority presale for U2 Subscribers at U2.com starting Thursday, June 8th (10am) through Saturday, June 10th (5pm) local times for U2.com.
Sun Sep 3 - Detroit, MI Ford Field Tue Sep 5 - Buffalo, NY New Era Field Fri Sep 8 - Minneapolis, MN US Bank Stadium Sun Sep 10 - Indianapolis, IN Lucas Oil Stadium Tue Sep 12 - Kansas City, MO Arrowhead Stadium Sat Sep 16 - St. Louis, MO The Dome At America’s Center Fri Sep 22 - San Diego, CA Qualcomm Stadium Tue Oct 3 - Mexico City, Mexico Foro Sol Sat Oct 7 - Bogota, Columbia, Estadio El Campin Tue Oct 10 - Buenos Aires, Argentina La Plata Sat Oct 14 - Santiago, Chile Estadio Nacional Thur Oct 19 - Sao Paulo, Brazil Morumbi Stadium
What about U2 subscribers? Well check your email for some presales information or visit the band page tour page for more information.
Chicago U2 Fans Scream OMG !
Chicago: Many U2 fans have heard or met Deena a long time U2 fan and dedicated Larry Mullen Jr. sent in her report from opening night Chicago.
Deena Dietrich: OMG! That was amazing! Nothing will ever beat the Elevation Tour for me, but this Joshua Tree 30th Anniversary Tour has my favorite set list with the exception of one. I was excited for every song except of “Miss Sarajevo.”
Each of U2’s first five albums were represented except October, and only two of the last seven albums were represented. There was nothing off Rattle and Hum, Pop, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, No Line on the Horizon and Songs of Innocence.
We were inside by 5:45 – just going in after the GA line was already in. We walked all the up front on the far left (Edge side) on the outside of the Red Zone. We had a great view of the main stage, the huge b (Joshua Tree shaped) stage and the video screens (Larry was on the screen facing us). Plus we had a rail to lean on – and saw some VIPs go back stage. The Lumineers took the stage at 7:30 and played until about 8:25 – they are not my cup of tea.
U2 took the stage at 9:10 and played until 11:15, probably one of the longest U2 shows I’ve seen at over two hours. I knew nothing about the show as I’ve stayed off U2 social media since rehearsals started. So when Larry strutted on stage in his black capped sleeve tee and black pants all the way down the catwalk to the b stage, I about lost my mind. The screams they were loud! I love Larry in black!
U2 opened the show with four songs on the b stage: “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” “New Year’s Day,” “Bad” and “Pride.” Then I realized what they were doing. Two songs of War and two songs off The Unforgettable Fire leading into The Joshua Tree.
U2 went to the main stage and played the complete The Joshua Tree album in order. I missed the original Joshua Tree Tour in 1987 when my mom wouldn’t let me go because I was 14. The Joshua Tree got me into U2 and is still my favorite album 30 years later, so hearing this album live in its entirety in order was a dream come true – and something I thought would never happen.
I was blubbering throughout “Red Hill Mining Town” (even though I prefer the original). I was obsessed with this song in 1987 and is still one of my faves, and I truly thought I would never ever hear it live. Edge and Larry were on fire during “Exit,” which took right back to Rattle and Hum. It was great to hear “Trip Through Your Wites” complete with Bono on harmonica.
The concert could have ended here, and I would have been happy. But U2 left the stage long enough for Larry to change from his black tee into a white capped sleeve tee (very 1950s!) and played six more songs starting with “Beautiful Day.” Then into “Elevation” where Bono said “Larry Mullen we believe in you!” Just as on the 360 Tour, “Miss Sarajevo” does not fit in this set list at all – really brings the crowd down.
“Ultra Violet” was a tribute to women complete with famous women and the feminist movement on the video screens. I am pretty sure Bono is more of a feminist than most women, and I love him for that! “One” included the extra ‘do you us coming Lord…’ verse, and U2 returned to the b stage to conclude the show with their first single “I Will Follow.”
Deena Dietrich /U2TOURANS
I think this may be the first concert of the 91 U2 shows I have been to the past 25 years where they did not play “Mysterious Ways.”
Also I think this was the first time I have not seen Larry and Adam leave the stage for Bono and Edge to do an acoustic duet. Keep the rhythm section on stage! Larry and Edge were having a blast tonight, especially Edge.
The Edge was dancing and twirling and jumping like it was 2001. Bono was struggling a bit with his voice and drinking lots of water.
Well those are my thoughts on my first Joshua Tree show. Hopefully it was coherent as I have been up for 22 hours and stood for 11 of those without a proper meal.
Check back later for a full report on my entire Chicago trip – and tomorrow for my thoughts on the second Chicago Joshua Tree 30 show. Deena's site called On The Road With U2
U2 Finds its Mojo In Houston
Houston: Awake to the reviews of the show last night and the best quote of the evening may have just come from Craig Hlavaty reporting for Houston Chronicle. The band seems to have found a new fire inside them performing the cuts that redefined them as arena rock's reigning intellectuals at the end of the '80s. Now three decades later they seem to be rediscovering the mojo that made them international heroes. All it took was a trip back to the desert for some reflection.
Could it have been the plan all along for U2 to return to the past for some reflection towards the future? The Songs of Experience has been a challenge for the band to find its way thru this political chaos, fears of terror attacks.
All indications point towards this band not giving to terrorist attacks. While security was as tight as a Super Bowl game with delays entering the venue. Fans poured in ready to be taken back 30 years with a backdrop of images including the works of Anton Corbijn; which seemed to place fans in the driver's seat for an experience of a lifetime.
The tour moves on to Dallas and off to Chicago for a few nights. The band has pretty much settled into their setlist and the show is a visual experience that is not to be missed.
The full setlist was:
- Sunday Bloody Sunday
- New Year's Day
- Pride (In The Name Of Love)
- Where The Streets Have No Name / California (There Is No End To Love) (snippet)
- I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
- With Or Without You
- Bullet The Blue Sky
- Running To Stand Still
- Red Hill Mining Town
- In God's Country
- Trip Through Your Wires
- One Tree Hill
- Exit / Wise Blood (snippet) / Eeny Meeny Miny Moe (snippet)
- Mothers Of The Disappeared
Encore(s):
- Miss Sarajevo / The New Colossus (snippet)
- Bad / America (snippet)
- Beautiful Day
- Elevation
- Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
- One
- The Little Things That Give You Away
* Snippets provided by U2gigs.com
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