Anyone At The U2 Concert Last Night? - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bunk · 06-02-2011, 05:19 PM

I used to be a huge U2 fan, but only after they had already reached their pinnacle, which I think was Achtung Baby - now 20 years ago. I became a big fan in 97 - saw them in Edmonton and then on the subsequent couple of tours. Even played rock-paper-scissors with Bono in the middle of the guitar solo to The Fly in a concert in Vancouver in 2001.

Pop was the last really good album they made (It was panned but I think it's actually an extremely underrated album musically) The last 3 have been pretty awful in my opinion.

macker · 06-02-2011, 06:17 PM

Any band out there put out 3 albums to start a career as timeless and enduring as U2. I am tired of the U2 hasn't put out anything good for 10-20 years argument that you hear all the time. Simply not true...It is actually surprising how long they have lasted and if you look at the setlist the 10-20 argument doesn't add up. Saw Popmart in Winnipeg and Edmonton and the last Calgary show so didn't feel the need to see this show but it sounds like it was a good one. U2 = Stadium Rock.

Azure · 06-02-2011, 06:51 PM

I'm sorta surprised that I'm not the only one that would want them to STFU.

metallicat · 06-02-2011, 07:40 PM

Is there any irony at all to the messages U2 had on their gigantic screen about oil reserves and all sorts of other things, and the 40 big rigs sitting in the parking lot that delivered this set to Edmonton? 40 trucks * three sets = a lot of oil being used. Never mind the police escort from the airport which snarled city traffic into the evening?

rubecube · 06-03-2011, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Igottago

Its not like they didn't play the music. Also, the music itself is political. U2 always has been. If you aren't expecting a political message from U2 or Pearl Jam, or Radiohead, or anyone who expresses an opinion, you haven't been paying attention. They are preaching to you when you put the CD on and they will have their opinions when you see them live. If you don't jive with the message, fine, but these are people, not dancing monkeys that you can expect to supress their opinions.

I'm not going to Toby Keith concerts because I don't like his brash right wing pro USA songs or attitude. Not sure why you would want to go to see U2 if they are too political for you.

Perhaps an apolitical concert like Justin Bieber would be more entertaining for those offended by the likes of Bono or Eddie Vedder.

You don't see the difference between politics in a song and preaching onstage without any music present? Really? Bono has about as much business ranting about his politics onstage as he does telling audience what colours he's going to paint one of his six houses (and yes I made that number up).

Gobsgraham · 06-03-2011, 11:45 AM

The concert was amazing. Setlist was great. Stage was awesome and the atmosphere was wicked. CommonWealth even gave me something about Edmonton to be jealous about (the mall is pretty wicked too).

I understand the hate about the political message stuff but get over it. That is Bono and that is U2. They have been that way since day 1 and always will be. Think about how much money they have donated and helped raise for their various causes and get off your high horse. They do amazing things and help 1000's of people every year? Whether you agree with their charities of choice they are doing a hell of a lot more than everyone on this forum put together. So I think the only people that need to STFU is all the hater's!! 'end rant'

Hockeyguy15 · 06-03-2011, 11:55 AM

AC/DC was probably better

kirant · 06-03-2011, 11:58 AM

I was there. The songs themselves were good. Didn't really care for the activist part, but really, it's easy enough to ignore and drown out if you don't like it. I honestly prefer it to the "shut up and sing" groups, as it at least shows a semblance of caring...even if it is fake.

metallicat · 06-03-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

AC/DC was probably better

IMO, no. The atmosphere was cool, but I froze my ass off because of the rain. Good show too, but I liked U2 better.

Hockeyguy15 · 06-03-2011, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

IMO, no. The atmosphere was cool, but I froze my ass off because of the rain. Good show too, but I liked U2 better.

I thought the rain made it even more enjoyable

macker · 06-03-2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

AC/DC was probably better

Bands like AC/DC make you realize that U2's reign as the last great stadium band could go on for a few more years yet. Almost a monopoly.

metallicat · 06-03-2011, 12:46 PM

There are a lot of great bands who could pull it off, but don't. Metallica comes to mind. I think they could sell out Commonwealth.

macker · 06-03-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

There are a lot of great bands who could pull it off, but don't. Metallica comes to mind. I think they could sell out Commonwealth.

It is always a relevance test that few bands are prepared to take, or maybe can't afford to take in more ways than one.

darklord700 · 06-03-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

There are a lot of great bands who could pull it off, but don't. Metallica comes to mind. I think they could sell out Commonwealth.

Metallica in a stadium will be awesome. Saw them twice at the Saddledome and they definitely have the stuff to carry a show in a big stadium.

metallicat · 06-03-2011, 01:54 PM

macker is right though, it's not just about material. It's about the reach a band has. U2 has a very widespread and varied following. There's enough demand for Metallica to have two sold-out shows in Calgary, I think they could do a stadium tour. In fact they have, but I'm not sure if they've ever done one alone.

ricosuave · 06-03-2011, 03:35 PM

have to laugh at the notion of U2 being a political band

havent they always?

Hack&Lube · 06-03-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macker

It is always a relevance test that few bands are prepared to take, or maybe can't afford to take in more ways than one.

An 80s band selling out Commonweath stadium out has nothing to do with relevance. It depends on how many mullets are in Edmonton.

Berger_4_ · 06-03-2011, 05:48 PM

How did everyone like the girl Bono pulled out of the crowd trying to sing Heart of Gold? I heard that was pretty brutal.

Igottago · 06-03-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

You don't see the difference between politics in a song and preaching onstage without any music present? Really? Bono has about as much business ranting about his politics onstage as he does telling audience what colours he's going to paint one of his six houses (and yes I made that number up).

Like I said, he's got the mic. Its a U2 show, they have any right to say anything they want to. You should go into it knowing what the band is all about. They promised a rock show, delivered it, and delivered their opinions as well. This band has never done anything different. If you are buying tickets you should know that its part of what they do. If you don't like it stay home and listen to the CD.

If they charged people for tickets to a concert and it ended up being no music and a 2 hour long lecture, you'd have a point. But that's not the case.

Yeah_Baby · 06-03-2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

An 80s band selling out Commonweath stadium out has nothing to do with relevance. It depends on how many mullets are in Edmonton.

Not to go all OilKiller on you, but, I've lived in Edmonton for almost two years now. And I've still seen more mullets in Red Deer.