I watched U2’s Boston concert DVD last night and I was pleased. Having seen the Elevation Tour in Montreal, I was curious to see how the DVD-on-laptop-in-bed experience would compare with the 18,000-people-in-a-stadium experience. Obviously it didn’t touch the real thing, but it was a nice compliment to attending the actual concert in that there a few things that an entire film crew was able to pick up that I might have missed from our seats at the other end of the Molson Centre.
The disc does a great job of showing how straightforward the tour was. It was a big tour with a huge crew, but on stage the four musicians were pretty much on their own. The camera catches a few great close-ups of the members of the band in which you can really see their facial expressions. The Edge seemed quite preoccupied with playing the music. Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves. Bono played the rock star. There are a few great shots where you see The Edge looking to Larry Mullen for the rhythm. For a second they seem less like U2, and more like four guys in a band.
The set list included 7 new songs from All That You Can’t Leave Behind, a few of the U2 classics, and a few refreshing unlikely choices (Gone, Bad, Stay (Faraway, so close), Until The End Of The World). The Edge used the set list as an opportunity to parade an amazing set of classic guitars including a full-bodied Gretsch, a pearl Telecaster, Edge’s classic Gibson Explorer, a Godin, a beautiful clear woodgrain finish Stratocaster, and a 12-string Richenbacher that The Edge kicks off the stage.
What I found most striking about the DVD was how great U2 is at putting on a rock concert. You can really see the experience of 20 years of touring. Bono plays the 20,000 strong audience like it was a percussive instrument. The Edge’s guitar and Bono’s voice alone can fill a stadium design for NHL hockey.
The new album contrasts nicely with the older material in the context of the concert. If Stuck in a Moment were a little more immature and unrefined, if would fit in perfectly on Rattle and Hum.
The live performances shed new light on some of what I had though where the weaker songs from All That You Can’t Leave Behind. New York, which always struck me as goofy (comparing the heat of New York to a “hair dryer in your face” just doesn’t hold up next to the biblical alegory of The End of the World – which Bono introduces this night with “this is judas”) and Walk On both shine make more sense in the live context.
Highlights include, the inclusion of Until The End Of The World and a great rendition of Stay (Faraway, so close). Introducing the band, Bono says “Even his mother calls him, The Edge“. The introductions to The Fly and Where the Streets Have No Name are classic goosebump-inducing stadium rock moments.
I am starting to think that I should give that DVD a look. I saw the U2 Elevation Tour while in Vienna, Austria but was somewhat disappointed that it seemed a lot less like 4 regular guys in a band and lot more like ‘the Bono show’ supported somewhat by the Edge.
I had the fortunate opportunity to meet U2 a couple of times while I worked in London, even experienced Bono hyjacking a piano in the Savoy foyer and playing a quick tune. Bono always appeared more of a one-man show if you ask me – but not one I was lining up for.
Also, had a passing conversation with the Edge where he appeared almost embarrassed to use the phrase “you too” as a response.
I’m not sure about what the Edge’s mom calls him but then maybe its plausible that she helps out with his wardrobe too. As he exited the “you too” encounter I noticed the back pocket on his jeans was encrusted in some sort of sparkly stone which spelled out THE EDGE.
can anyone say bedazzler??
Isn’t it just time sting and edge got their own names back. Even johnny rotten dave it up – though I can’t think of his name off the top of my head. The interesting thing about U2 is that they are the last “supergroup”. I don’t think a band could justify the (blindish) adoration. Being a purchaser of their first album at the time, they were just a band like the police, pop side of it all. The Clash were more important and other bands like the Jam were more political. But you could dance to U2. From “New Years Day” to the Joshua Tree album they were a constant presence in pick -up bars. Then everyone went to see Rattle and Hum and saw that the bassist couldn’t play and Bono thought he was Christ. Oh, dear. All of a sudden it was time for a musical change. Since then they have been there but awfully supergroupie. Nice shades. Name apparently on one’s own arse in sparkles. I hope they pack it in before the Stones did.
Having been to both Montreal shows, Albany, Philly and London IV – and owning the DVD (OK – its been a wild year!) Here’s my view:
The DVD is a really good presentation of the typical medium level Elevation show. A solid must own for U2 fans for sure. But it does not capture the energy of their best shows – not because of the DVD, but because that show was obviously not one of their better ones.
In Albany, Bono was seriously ill and we carried most of the songs for Bono – as he mentions in the DVD. Bizzare – but totally amazing concert. In London, it was the day after Bono’s father died, and we were in the Heart right at Bono’s mic – so the energy was really intense, but it was really on the edge (no pun intended) tension followed by spiritual release as Bono plowed through the night – almost breaking up a few times during Kite as Edge and Larry watched him like hawks. There was the absolute singular solemnity of the Notre Dame show (via TV) right after Sept 11. And since you were in Montreal, and especially the Oct 12 show, you know that U2 decided to rip it wide open to get out of the funk of Sept 11 and the show was so incredible – even U2 could not leave the stage. You could have bottled the energy and powered Montreal with it. Absolute group rapture. And according to fan reviews many other shows had similar things that elevated them to high marks. In fact, it almost became a game to see which show would outdo the previous.
In summary – Boston DVD? – probably only a 50-60% score as far as shows go. So the deal is this – the DVD is solid – but don’t miss the live shows – and go to more than one if you can – because none of them are the same – and you just never know what might happen…
I saw them in Chicago this summer and was completely blown away. Best rock show ever. The dvd doesn’t nearly compare, no, but it’s awesome to have, better than taking away a shirt or something from the actual concert.
My only complaints about the dvd, really are 1) too few songs included 2) the version of With or Without You (I swear they did the full version live) and the change in the lighting from the actual show and 3) Bono wasn’t *nearly* as playful in In a Little While as he was live. Wow.
Here’s hoping the rumors of a February college venue tour are true . . .
Just as long as they (U2) don’t make any more videos. The football video (Stuck in a moment?) is the worst fucking thing since the Pearl Jam “Jeremy” video.
Which was a decade ago. And still makes me cringe, when I hear something from “Ten”, because instead of thinking how I used to like the album, and drive to Portland with it playing, I think of how much I hate that video with its vapid storyline and Eddie Vedder as fey goof and, because it is a visual memory, it has more weight and power than any other. They made the right move, PJ, in leaving vids behind.
Which leads to a larger thesis: music videos have done more to ruin music than almost anything. The last good video I saw was the Neil Young video for “Piece of Crap.” A long time ago.
So there.
Plus: I DL’d the new Wilco album last night -Yankee Hotel Foxtrot it is called-and it’s great.
Straight. Up.
this is to me the best concert ever. most performances of songs are better than their original versions, most notably ‘gone’ and ‘until the end of the world’. listen to the dodgy performances of ‘sunday bloody sunday’ and ‘i will follow’ on under a blood red sky then just marvel at the greatness 18 more years has brought to these performances. the duff performance of with or without you is the only exception (watch ‘rattle and hum’ and remember how much better suited bono’s voice was to the song). the only gripe seems to be with the audience itself. during ‘the fly’ the crowd seems comatose and u can tell bono thinks so too. maybe they were just knackered. anyway, best conert ever, bye!!
I saw the Elevation Tour twice, once before 9/11 and once afterwards – both awesome. I avoided buying the Boston DVD because I read alot of bad things about it. I saw it at the Rock Hall of Fame but I bought the Slane DVD and I’m glad I waited. The person who said the Boston was “typical medium level” was right, but Slane is as good was intense. It brought back all the excitement and emotion of the real thing. My advice is don’t mess with the Boston DVD – get U2 Go Home at Slane.