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U2 at Philips Arena Friday night
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By PHIL KLOER
There’s a fine line between being the most charismatic rock star working these days and a fairly large serving of ham, and reasonable people can disagree on which side of the line Bono falls.
Of course, if there were any reasonable people heading into Philips Arena Friday or Saturday night for back-to-back, sold-out concerts by U2, there weren’t any going out, because U2 just flat-out put on a synapse-frying show. One of the most intense rock ‘n’ roll light shows ever and a barrage of decibels combined for sensory overload.
Beaded curtains of light hung above the stage in sheets, flashing and showing shimmering images. The stage was surrounded by a huge, egg-shaped catwalk, which was itself lit with pulsing lights around the perimeter. It allowed the band members — mainly famous frontman Bono— to get off the stage, into the arena, and play to the crowd.
And play to the crowd he did, with as much showboating as Wayne Newton working a lounge in Vegas.
Friday night, he got a young woman out of the audience for a long slow dance to “With Or Without You.� He donned a blindfold and pretended to be a political prisoner. He gave one shout out to America’s military, another to New Orleans clean-up volunteers. He threw a few bars of “Georgia On My Mind� into the staggeringly propulsive opener “City of Blinding Lights.�
He talked about his dad, and how he died recently, but was always asking Bono to take off his sunglasses. “So anyway, this is for you, dad,� he said, taking off his ever-present shades, as the band launched into its recent hit “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own.� “And it’s you when I look in the mirror,� he sang, to everyone’s aging or dead parents. And he even hit the high notes.
That ham metaphor isn’t a knock, more a nod of respect. U2 could charge triple digits for tickets (which they do), come out, play the tunes and move on, but they apparently want their fans to experience everything from emotional turmoil to a political awakening to partial hearing loss. (Man, were they loud.)
They’ve always been this way, more or less, for 25 years, with some slight missteps in the ‘90s when they got a little too cutesy, some felt. They’ve long since ditched the irony; Bono in concert these days is as serious as a biopsy report. The self-described “Irish megalomaniac� donned a headband with a Star of David, a Christian cross and a Muslim crescent moon on it for the anti-violence anthem “Sunday Bloody Sunday, announcing that “We are all sons of Abraham.�
He promoted the One “campaign to make poverty history,� got in a plug for his efforts on African debt relief, and scrolled the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the Jumbotron.
What U2 has gotten really good at, though, is integrating all that into two hours-plus of rock ‘n’ roll kick-in-the-head catharsis. That Jumbotron was frequently divided into four panels so all four band members were on display: Guitarist the Edge, with his stocking cap and array of killer licks, chiming, chopping, soaring and just filling Philips; bassist Adam Clayton, as stoic as Bono is histrionic; drummer Larrry Mullen, shown in close-up so you could see the tendons popping on his forearms.
Opening act the Institute suffered the same fate of most acts that have to go out in an arena of people still trickling in to see the headliner: Hardly anyone cared. Singer Gavin Rossdale, formerly of Bush, tried a little showboating himself, and he’s got some moves, but after 45 minutes, the band hadn’t really moved the needle.
Permalink | Comments (23) | Categories: Pop Music
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By U2 FAN NO MORE
November 21, 2005 9:58 AM | Link to this
What a waste of time. Overload on politics, not enough music. I pay to hear u2 perform, not to hear their politics! To top it off. sound quality was poor at best. I couldn’t wait to get out of there……..$165/ticket..a ripoff!!!
By U2 SUCKS
November 21, 2005 10:04 AM | Link to this
U2 IS THE MOST OVERRATED BAND IN THE HISTORY OF POP MUSIC. BON JOVI IS SO MUCH BETTER. CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THE JERSEY BOYS TO PHILLIPS ARENA TO SEE A REAL ROCK AND ROLL SHOW.. WITHOUT SOMEONE IN THEIR STUPID SUNGLASSES SHOVING THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS DOWN EVERYONE’S THROAT.. BONO GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE AND GROW UP
By T.J.
November 21, 2005 10:33 AM | Link to this
I am more of a heavy metal fan and never have been a huge U2 fan, but considering their talent as musicians, their music does cross musical genres so I decided to check them out. I attended both nights here in Atlanta.
The show was real good both nights. The light show was great and fit the music well. The sound was top notch and they hit each song perfectly.
I was impressed also by how the fans really “got into” the music. While I still feel that this show was not quite as good as this years Motley Crue and Judas Priest shows, it came close. That opinion though could be a little biased due to the fact that I am a metal fan.
The only negatives I percieved was more due to some fans and their comments.
In the arena fourier I overheard some chick loudly making fun of people in line for T-shirts, letting everyone know how “smarter” she was than them because she could get a shirt off of the internet cheaper. I guess she just don’t get it, you don’t buy the shirt for the shirt, you buy the shirt for the memories of the special moment.
There were a lot of fans who do get it, kudos to you real fans, but I guess some people were there because it was the “in thing to do” and for “social” reasons.
Then there was this one guy on my row the first night getting all upset because he held a different opinion of politics than Bono. Half the show he spent getting upset with things Bono said and very loudly letting everyone know about it.
First of all, if you were unaware of Bono’s political views, what rock have you been living under? His views have been known for decades (do you ever listen to the lyrics?) and all over the news for the past year. Either don’t go or respectfully disagree in silence, but quit ruining it for the other fans. We paid money to listen to U2 and not you too.
All in all both shows were great and U2 is a great band. I would like to hear a duet between Bono and Rob Halford one day, their voices would go well together. Maybe the song could be an Aides fund raiser since both singers are involved with various charities in the fighting of that disease.
By Gene
November 21, 2005 10:34 AM | Link to this
I agree that Bono was on his soapbox. But Bono and U2 have been politically active for 25 yrs. They would talk about Amnesty Intl back on the Unforgettable Fire Tour back in 1985.
So, it was no surpirse that the show was not 100% rock.
By L G
November 21, 2005 11:07 AM | Link to this
“One of the most intense rock ‘n’ roll light shows ever and a barrage of decibels combined for sensory overload.” Obviously this guy did not see the Popmart or Zooropa Tour because they had a much more impressive light show on these tours (arguably over the top).
As for the negative comments from some of the other reviewers. Why don’t you guys forgo the tickets to U2 next time so that fans that appreciate them can actually get a ticket. It is such a shame to see so many people who just don’t get what the band is saying.
By AtlMiles
November 21, 2005 11:42 AM | Link to this
Everyone is entitled to their opinions …even the negative ones. But let me add my opinions to the mix as well… I agree w/ the previous comments - 1. if you don’t know what Bono and boys stand for politically, socially, etc - you definitely have to be living under a rock and 2. if you don’t agree - don’t go to the shows. Save the tickets for the real fans. No one twisted your arm to pay $162 to attend the show and God knows the real U2 fans wouldn’t have missed ya. And please … Bon Jovi vs. U2??? I like Bon Jovi just fine for what they are …fluff rock and roll. There is no comparison of lyrical content and quality between these 2 bands. Don’t make me laugh! U2 has been and always will be on a completely different (and far better) level.
By G K
November 21, 2005 12:19 PM | Link to this
You’ve gotta be kidding me! Complaining about political statements at a U2 show? (Where have you been for the last 25 years?) Bon Jovi is better than U2? (Where did you leave your brain?)
This was the fourth U2 show I’ve seen in the past 20 years and they just get better and more relevant every year; Friday night’s show was the best I’ve seen since my first U2 show in 1987. As someone mentioned earlier, they were touting Amnesty International back in the 80’s; now they’ve moved on to bigger and tougher issues (i.e. ending world poverty, Middle East peace, etc.) The idea of taking a song written over 20 years ago about the Northern Irish troubles (“Sunday Bloody Sunday”) and putting it in context of the Middle East violence was simply brilliant.
There are some of us out here who are tired of listening to the avalanche of sex, violence, angst, etc. that is so typical of today’s negative music. Thank God we have a band like U2 who aren’t afraid to wear their political and religious hearts on their sleeves and offer a positive alternative.
By thU2
November 21, 2005 12:27 PM | Link to this
Did anyone else catch Saturday night when Bono was talking about how he and Edge had gone for a walk in Piedmont Park that day? Can you imagine strolling through the park and stumbling on them? What a trip. Also it was funny how he pronounced it - “Pyedmont Park.”
By David
November 21, 2005 1:33 PM | Link to this
Cracks me up when someone thinks a concert-goer has to be 100% into everything the musician spouts out or sings. I’d have to throw out half of my CD collection if I disagreed with the political thoughts of the artist. I think Bono has his heart in the right place, but he does come across a bit cheesy sometimes. I was at the show Saturday night and I rolled my eyes over that headband and the Abraham comments. Of course, I think all three religions are ridiculous, so what else would I think about that? But it doesn’t bother me much. That’s how Bono has been since day one.
What does bother me? Watching U2 slowly descend into irrelevance, musically-speaking. This is just a personal preference and I do realize I’m in the minority, but U2’s last two albums were very disappointing to me. Maybe combine the best of both and you have a good album. But “Original of the Species” is probably the worst U2 song I’ve ever heard and they performed it. Blech. My 2nd least fave U2 song is “Stuck in a Moment” and I got to hear that one as well lol! These songs sound even worse next to tunes like “Where The Streets Have No Name” and “Bad”.
Bono’s voice sounds shot at times on these latest albums as well. Heard a bit of that in concert, but then he comes out and NAILS the Pavarotti piece in “Miss Sarajevo”. Impressive.
Tell ya one thing… I would not have gone to this concert if I had had to pay $100+. My wife really wanted to go to her first U2 show so I found behind the stage tix on Ebay for face value ($50). I laughed when we sat down because we were so CLOSE to the stage even in the upper deck. Very surprised how good seats like that could be.
The light show was cool. Never seen anything like those light strands showing moving images. And the stage setup was perfect for an arena.
Overall it was a good time. I definitely enjoyed the two shows I saw in ‘92 over this. Mainly for the song selection and probably also due to becoming an old fart along with U2.
By true fan
November 21, 2005 2:11 PM | Link to this
My brother and I agreed we got our money’s worth: 22 songs, 2+ hours, $65 each in tix. It was thrilling!
I question whether “U2 fan no more” was ever a fan - he just doesn’t get it…
By Rebecca
November 21, 2005 3:10 PM | Link to this
For all of you people who “wasted your money” going to see U2: Get Off the Bandwagon. U2 doesn’t need you, and their real fans don’t need you. Let the people who want to see U2 as much/often as possible to enjoy that many more shows. And try knowing something about the band you’re about to see before you gripe about how you were ripped off. This is what U2 has been doing for their entire tour career. You don’t go to a U2 show to “Be Seen”, or for something to do on a weekend night. You go for the chance to experience something extraordinary.
By Jenny
November 21, 2005 3:15 PM | Link to this
I lost count of how many times I’ve seen U2 over the years. I first saw U2 during the Unforgettable Fire Tour in 1985 when I was only 13, and I’ve seen every tour (some twice) since then. So I speak from authority when I say that they get better and better every year.
And I just laugh at the idiots who complain about having to listen to U2’s politics. Under a rock indeed.
By Andy / Knoxville, TN
November 21, 2005 3:32 PM | Link to this
I’ve seen U2 on every tour since 1987. I remember thinking as I was at that concert how tangible the vibe was in the building. I have since learned every U2 concert for me is a holy moment. The show on Friday was absolutely stellar! I think you either get it, you don’t, or perhaps you just aren’t on that plane the rest of us are on. We know who “the people like us” are. Andy
By Lori, Montgomery, AL
November 21, 2005 4:38 PM | Link to this
Two Words: Bad Ass
By U2 FAN NO MORE
November 22, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this
Let me clarify. Too much politics, not enough music. after 20+years of being a fan and going to concerts this was way over the top even for U2. Did you see 60 minutes over the weekend???? They just over did the pushy politics thing that most rich and famous stars eventually do. The children in the crowd loved it - they weren’t even born when U2 first albulm came out!. The more seasoned vets - like me - miss the old days of solid live performance, high quality sound, mixed with a light sprinkling of politics. It was interisting when they played the older tunes - most fans stopped signing. My name should read U2 live fan no more!
By the way - everyone that can afford the tickets has the same opportunity to purchase them. Stop complaining that I took your seat!!!
By U2 LIVE FAN NO MORE
November 22, 2005 10:38 AM | Link to this
Jenny, Rebecca, true fan, G K, AtlMiles, LG - as “real” U2 fans who supposedly preach and follow the U2 “message” - where is the tolerance for difference of opinion?
Lighten up!!! If you had been a fan since the beginning you would notice the change to a more commercialized product- the sell out feeling is definetly there- but they are still a great band. War to Evolution—-a major shift indeed.
30 minutes plus on their preaching of personal political views in 2 hour show is IMHO too much. You are entitled to your opinion as well and and I can see your passion is valid and admirable - but shows a real lack of historical perspective and a failure to face reality.
I look forward to your angry responses.
By Alan
November 22, 2005 11:49 AM | Link to this
Sorry to dissapoint, but there is no anger here. I’m saving that for the guy who threw his beer at Bono during one of his pronouncements.
See, and that is the point. I pray to God that no one who truly “get’s it” would act likewise at, say, a Brooks & Dunn show. Surely, someone might, but that person likely doesn’t understand the message. Which there is a lot of that going around. I wonder what JC would say about some of the things being done in his name?
But there I go, giving an opinion that’s outside the box. If you knew me, you would not be surprised. And if cough up $$$ for a U2 ticket, one should expect that. …and I say this without a drop of anger. Peace.
By Scott
November 22, 2005 12:58 PM | Link to this
My wife and I travelled from Scotland to see the Saturday night show. From start to finish the band were fantastic the light show amazing and the real fans in the crowd sang from start to finish. Definitely worth crossing the Atlantic for.
By Alan
November 22, 2005 1:34 PM | Link to this
BTW, did they sing Crumbs from Your Table Saturday? They didn’t Friday. That was my only dissapointment.
By true fan
November 23, 2005 9:01 AM | Link to this
Alan:
No Crumbs; but many excellent moments: “Where the Streets No Name” was just fabulous live, with that backdrop. Was sad when they didn’t close with “Yahweh/40,” instead going with “Bad,” though it’s an old gem. But what about the unexpected “First Time,” and the lovely lullabye “MLK”…etc… You can get set lists at U2.com in the free area. Blessings.
By U2 the greatest
November 23, 2005 5:01 PM | Link to this
Whether you like them or not(and for the record they are my all time no.1),U2 is the greatest band of our time,maybe ever. Think realistically and reasonably. After 25 years of changing our musical landscape, to put a show like they did Friday and Saturday, it is simply amazing. About tickets,the best seats were the cheapest seats.I mean $50 bucks gets you in the front row.Nobody does it. As U2 say,they want to see real fans in front of them, who enjoy and respect their music at affordable price. Lastly,U2 makes rock’n’roll meaningful.It is supposed to change your live. U2’s music does.Thank you U2
By santiago
November 29, 2005 10:27 AM | Link to this
Bono and the Boys keep getting better and better. America is built on differing opinions and I am glad that we are tolerant enough to enjoy a concert even if we disagree on political, social or religous issues.
By Greg
November 30, 2005 3:56 PM | Link to this
I have been a fan of U2’s message and music since the early 80’s. Friday night’s show was awesome. The small setting at Philips provided all an up close look at the band and all they offered. A Much better sound and feel than any concert at a 65K+ seat Football stadium could ever provide. This was my 3rd U2 show since 1987 and it was the best. Bono , Edge , Adam and Larry will always be in a Class of their own. Rock on U2 , Your TRUE fans will always be here to support your Music and Philisophical views. Greg in ATL