I felt like I was a character in “Almost Famous”, a cross breed between Kate Hudson’s Penny Lane and Patrick Fugit’s William Miller. I wasn’t travelling with the band. I really couldn’t be considered a groupie since I never slept with the band, although Bono did kiss me once. But I was a journalist in the making like William Miller.
Lack of a press badge meant no DSLR and no access. But, here I was standing in a general admission pit along with thousands of other people ready to let the space station known as “the Claw” take me wherever it wanted to that night.
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U2 had disappointed me on their first leg of the “360” tour, in 2009. Okay, so Bono is now 51, but that shouldn’t stop him or any of the band members from giving it their all. But it was boring. It wasn’t U2. There was no spontaneity or any indication it was a rock show. It could have been any show minus the giant “Claw” stage hanging above us like a huge reminder only U2 would do this.
Unfortunately, even the large, impressive technologically advanced set couldn’t save the tiresome, scripted production. The same setlist every night was not a U2 thing to do. And they were doing it. Was that supposed to be shocking in itself? The monotonous, obvious way this show was practically part of their daily routine was almost disturbing.
Sure, “The Unforgettable Fire” was incredible to hear. The guitar sound was clear, crisp, just a better quality than the 80s sound. And the backing tracks were absolutely perfect, leaving no room for complaint.
U2 finally took a risk toward the middle of their set list with “Your Blue Room”, a song from the Passengers album. “Your Blue Room” is ethereal and works around the space of the music rather than just to fill the air. Of course, since not too many people knew the song well, U2 dropped it almost instantly barely giving the song a chance live. “Your Blue Room” was an obscure song to even the biggest of fans. The risk apparently wasn’t worth a few minutes of mystery that could lose the crowd’s interest.
The hauntingly gorgeous tune “Ultraviolet” made an appearance in the first encore. It was overshadowed by hits such as “One” and “Mysterious Ways” on the successful Achtung Baby but it finally got its day in the sun. Complete with Bono wearing a LED jacket, the hurt imbedded in “Ultraviolet” really cries for attention in this performance. “Ultraviolet” was a well-chosen and crowd-loving piece, something U2 failed to do throughout most of the set.
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During the 2011 tour the moving bridges above the audience, LED jackets, and giant screens surrounding the stage made it a delight to stare at while waiting. But eventually my patience wore thin. Then “Space Oddity” emanated from the speakers and the lights dimmed down. The dry ice machines were switched on and the crowd’s voices overpowered David Bowie’s.
Opening up with “Even Better than the Real Thing” was pure genius on U2’s part. It was fun and so very different from their usual drab. Whereas on the last leg, “Breathe” might have been a great choice for someone like me, but most fans didn’t exactly understand the new material from No Line on the Horizon.
Only a few songs into the set, they played “Out of Control” from their first album, Boy. Suddenly mental glimpses of their 17-year-old selves were an added bonus. Soldier Field wasn’t large enough to contain the energy that was being thrown from the band to the audience and vice versa. This was U2, and Chicago was in for a ride.
Every song was filled with energy and joyfulness. The band was smiling and engaging the audiences just as in their 2005 Vertigo shows. If bassist Adam Clayton smiled anymore his face would have fallen off. If guitarist Edge jumped anymore he probably wouldn’t be able to walk the next day.
Maybe they hadn’t been ready to play stadiums again in the states in 2009. But, whatever the case was, they were ready now.
By the time the band reached the most anticipated song of the set, everyone was howling. The LED lights fell down like a curtain over the band as the intricate weaving of keyboard and heavy tremolo with signature echo moved the crowd to another place. When they finally got to “Zooropa,” which had not been played since its release in 1993, the result was uplifting and inspirational.
“Uncertainty can be a guiding light.” There were crazy flashing lights, empowering lyrics, and music so transcending, it took you to a new state of being. This was ecstasy without the terrible consequences of the drug.
Even the classics were played in high spirits, as if new light was shed onto every single note. U2 could have ended there and things would have been impressive enough but they pushed it.
As Bono bantered before the last song he mentioned his friend Greg Carroll.
“Not to be too nostalgic, but it seems to be the right thing. Yesterday, 25 years ago we lost a really great friend. His name was Greg Carroll. And we wrote a song for him which we are not going to play for you now.” The crowd booed. Bono paused, and said, “Well. Maybe we will.”
U2 played through their usual closer, “Moment of Surrender” and just as it was about to end as expected the band huddled together, arms entwined so no one could see what was up their sleeves.
“Here’s the deal. If we screw up really badly, you don’t put it on the Internet. Fair?” Bono joked.
As everyone whipped out their compact cameras, the band prepared to play “One Tree Hill”, a Joshua Tree non-hit favorite.
“Edge looks real confident,” Bono laughed at his bandmate.
The guitar god fumbled over some notes revealing that he’s in fact human.
“For fuck’s sake!” Edge cried. And then we heard “One Tree Hill”. It went from calm vocals and mellow guitar to a solo showcasing Edge’s talent and Bono crying out for his friend Carroll: “And when it’s raining, raining hard. That’s when the rain will break my heart.”
“Run to the ocean. Run to the sea.” Sorry, Chicago that wasn’t the wind blowing you away. That was U2.
This one show alone beat out anything they attempted to do in 2009. “The Claw” was too much to conquer all at once but these four men figured it out eventually. They needed to bring forth the passion they’ve always had for music and their audience. On this second leg, U2 came back into their own, true selves in a sweep after playing a few magical, spiritual shows they’re known for.
