U2 in Croke Remarks - Was it worth it?

DingChavez · 26-06-2005 7:31pm

Was ok satisified. :)

Well......U2 rule! :cool:

6ix · 26-06-2005 8:04pm

Was ok satisified. :)

spanner_head wrote:

What did the candians dude message say? That was amazing. He played really well too.

Not sure what the Canadian guy's sign said, cos all i could see was 'Party Girl' and a musical note symbol as he moved it around. I was about 10-15 feet from him, but around the same distance from the walkway. He really did well though.

As for you people wanting to get into the pit on Monday, I'd say I was lucky to just walk in at 5.45pm, just a fluke that they let some extra people in. You'd want to head down to the stadium early afternoon to guarantee it.

Well worth it, but having said that I only went in because it was handed on the proverbial plate.

penexpers · 26-06-2005 9:09pm

julep wrote:

it's the exact same with almost every band out there. they all have set lists and all have their sets timed to perfection.
there is no point in going to any gig if you don't like the music because, at the end of the day, that's what it all boils down to.
it sickens me when peoplle who are not fans of the music go to a gig and then bitch about it not being good enough.

Yes you have setlists but you vary them each night. I can only think of Radiohead in this respect. They have a setlist for each night, usually they use the same opening song, the same song before the end of the first part of the show (ie before the encores) and maybe the same song to end the set overall, and they used to have patterns of songs they'd play in a row. But that still doesn't stop them from playing other stuff during the gig. At the last Dublin gig in 2003, during the second encore, from nowhere Thom Yorke played a rare unreleased song. At the end of the gig in Oxford in 2001 they played Creep completely unexpectedly. During one of their gigs in Spain, they asked for requests from the audience, a few of them asked for rare, unreleased songs, and Thom had to stop the gig for a few minutes to remind the band how to play the songs he was trying to play. It was totally ridiculous but so amazing at the same time. The chances of something like that happening with U2 are somewhere between slim and none. Going to see U2 is like going to watch a play in the theatre. Half the fun of going to a concert is not knowing what they are going to play, but luckily enough U2 absolve you from all that fun.

moshpit77 · 26-06-2005 10:18pm

hasn't it been in the news lately that u2 have a different setlist every night of the tour this time?

Bri · 26-06-2005 11:10pm

Was ok satisified. :)

penexpers wrote:

Yes you have setlists but you vary them each night. Going to see U2 is like going to watch a play in the theatre. Half the fun of going to a concert is not knowing what they are going to play, but luckily enough U2 absolve you from all that fun.

From what I've seen they've played Who's Gonna ride your wild horses (an excellent tune) 3 times in Europe, once in the States. Oh and once in the Friday sound check. http://www.u2setlists.com/vertigo.shtml

Lighten up or don't go.

grumpytrousers · 27-06-2005 8:28am

No ... they are loosing their touch

Have to say I was very disappointed with the sound as well - as has been said already, upper tier of the Cusack Stand was terrible. Think the problem was that it was echo-ey; every time the snare drum was hit, you heard it again a split second later.

I spent the first 10 minutes thinking that the rhythm section was being staffed by work experience kids, the next 10 thinking it was a new fangled sound effect they had going, and it was only when i noticed the others in Roinn 711 expressing disdain that I knew we'd a lousy sound set-up.

moonboy · 27-06-2005 10:47am

did anyone else here them do sgt peppers for their sound check on friday?
they played it very quiet but i was road crew so i was behind the stage and heard it (at the start)..
more bizzarly did those of you queing outside here them play jailbreak??
bonzo sang a line from it...
then i was shocked to see the edge struggle to figure out the 3/4 chords of the riff!!
if youre gona play one of the best known songs from a well loved irish band..you know..learn the chords like!

full forward · 27-06-2005 12:26pm

No ... they are loosing their touch

Sound was good in lower Cusack stand section 303. Had a great time. But I got the feeling at times that Bono was tired of singing the same old songs. Where the streets have no name is probably the best live song ever wtitten. The into to it sends a shiver down my spine every time I hear it. But Bono fcuked it up for me be talking over it. SHUT UP BONO.

Bri · 27-06-2005 12:32pm

Was ok satisified. :)

Agreed. Streets seems to give so many people the shivers it really is class.

Wibbs · 27-06-2005 12:32pm

moonboy wrote:

did anyone else here them do sgt peppers for their sound check on friday?
they played it very quiet but i was road crew so i was behind the stage and heard it (at the start)..

I see there's a rumour(which seems to have some truth to it) flying around that U2 are going to be Paul McCartney's backing band for the the opening song of the Live 8 gig this saturday. The story goes that they're gonna sing sgt peppers "it was 20 yrs ago today....", in reference to the first Live aid. It was reported in the Sunday times yesterday as well as on various websites, so maybe they're rehearsing.......(well they do a bloody good rendition of "Helter Skelter" so you never know).

If it's true, I'd say Bono et al will be well chuffed that they're temporary Beatles. That said, kudos to Macca gettin' U2 as his session band. Not bad for an old fart.

lukeUCD · 27-06-2005 2:54pm

hey i was at the friday nite gig, got a standing ticket and was bout more than halfway up the pitch, before the gig wasnt a massive u2 fan but i have to say they were brilliant could not fault them or the sound, they did a great job!

ianomccabe · 27-06-2005 11:48pm

Was ok satisified. :)

i'm just back from tonights show and i have to say it was well worth it. i thought it was unbelievable. no sound problems from what i could hear and the place was absolutely jumping!
i was sitting in the corporate box with free drink flowing just sitting back taking it all in. il never forget it

Rabies · 28-06-2005 12:14am

No ... they are loosing their touch

I not too long back from the show. Left about 10:30 or so. Had to drive home to Tipperary. Only strolled in about 9:30, didn't even have a ticket.
Its great when you know the event organisers and do some work for them.

My ALL AREAS pass is still wraped around my wrist. Must cut it off and put it with all my other passes

The Vertigo stage is one of the best I have ever seen. Amazing stage and lighting.

Repli · 28-06-2005 12:20am

Just back aswell meself, stayed til the end, that was a brilliant gig and a lovely night (so glad I didn't go Friday)
I was sitting in the upper hogan and the sound was brilliant too, could hear every word Bono was saying clearly..
Sunday bloody Sunday and Elevation/Vertigo were the highlights.. in my opinion..

segadreamcast · 28-06-2005 12:25am

Was ok satisified. :)

zaph wrote:

Going on Monday and have a pitch ticket. From the sounds of things that's good news. Here's the set list from tonight, for anyone intrested:

I'm really disappointed that they're not ending the European concerts with "40" like they did the American ones. That being sung by 50-60,000 people is an abiding memory of the Croke Park gigs in 1985 and 1987.

and then the set list from Monday:

Vertigo
All Because of You
Gloria
Elevation
An Cat Dubh / Into the Heart
Beautiful Day
Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Original of the Species
Bad
City of Blinding Lights
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Running To Stand Still
Pride In The Name of Love
Where The Streets Have No Name
One

Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You
Vertigo

Yahweh
'40'

Hope you enjoyed it man

I know I did. Best set-list/performance of the three without a doubt.

Mixie · 28-06-2005 12:28am

I was there tonight too, thought the atmosphere was amazing and like the other said there were absolutely no sound problems (lower cusack, beside stage).

Those two girls holding up the "u2 can can make poverty history" thing were up there an awful long time - in fact, I didnt see them getting down.... did get down themselves or were they ordered off at any point?

Standard Toaster · 28-06-2005 12:58am

Was ok satisified. :)

just back myself.....amazing, just amazing!
Sound was spot on....I was in the pit. Great crowd tonite too.

I'll upload some pics later but here's a sampler:

Got loads of video footage too. About 2 gigs of pics & video.

Very happy Bad was played.

MisterAnarchy · 28-06-2005 3:18am

I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!! :mad:

I would have had a nice bit of footage except for a crazed security official.
I barely had the camcorder out of the bag when he spotted me .
It wasnt even turned on.
I was in the pit and he was about 10 yds in front of me.
The lunatic start going insane ,shouting at me,I was unaware of him for about 10 secs as I was fiddling with the camcorder.
He wanted me to go up to him but I managed to tell him the crowd was too thick so I apologised and told him I'd put it away which I did.
It remained in the bag for the night.
About 5 mins later he called over another 2 security goons and was pointing down at me.
I was getting a bit fazed at this stage.
30 minutes later the same two goons appeared around me and they were scouting around for something/someone.
The nutter was staring over at me from time to time.
I cant see the problem as everyone around me had cameras and a few camcorders.
Someone flashed the security guy directly in the eyes as he was harassing them too.
What a f***ing nutcase.

ergo · 28-06-2005 7:08am

Last night was a great show

the problem U2 have is that they've set the standard so high with previous tours etc it must be so hard to try to recapture that

I've seen them twice before Lansdowne in '97 and the first Slane in 2001, now that Slane gig for me is still the ultimate one

last night's gig was great but wasn't completely amazing, spine-tingling etc, well not as much as Slane

was in the pit, got there about 3pm , think some people were still strolling into the pit at 7pm I think, a friend of mine got in by scrawling a version of the hand stamp onto his arm! (but he did do a very impressive job art-wise)

thought the sound was OK mostly, not fantastic by any stretch, vocals maybe could have been a bit louder

was hoping for more than just 2 songs off the last album

and to play "Vertigo" twice, as many people have already said, is a bit much, no-one will be playing Vertigo in 20 years time, it's not that good (imho)

but Bad and With or Without You

after teasing us with it at the soundcheck (as we queued outside)

seeing U2 in Croke Park made me proud, and very conscious of, being Irish

and the sunny day helped too

SteM · 28-06-2005 7:41am

Was ok satisified. :)

Great show last night, I really enjoyed it and it was great to hear Bad again

Not seen them since The Point in 1989 and I've not been in Croker since it was redevloped so it was just great to be there.

Abel Tasman wrote:

was hoping for more than just 2 songs off the last album

They played 8 songs off the new album.

Wibbs · 28-06-2005 8:08am

Good gig. I was in the cusack stand and the sound(with a few vocal drop outs) was spot on. Someone I know who had been at all 3 gigs said that the sound had improved by Monday. Good light show too, without overpowering the band. Only downer of the night was standing behind a chick who had mastered farting to an olympic level. Luckily she left half way through.

delly · 28-06-2005 8:12am

Was ok satisified. :)

Thought yesterdays gig was excellent! Was in the middle of the pitch at the barrier just outside the pit. The sound, lights and vocals were spot on.

Elevation has to be my favourite of the day.

samo · 28-06-2005 8:41am

Was in the Canal end Lower tier, had no problems with the sound and could hear everything bono said perfectly....only quibble would have been that most of the goings-on actually on the stage were fairly distant dots moving around so glued to TV screens for most of it....but still cant be fussy as delighted just to be there and with a ticket for somewhere within croker

As said Elevation was fantastic and Sunday bloody Sunday which didnt expect them to play at all.....great gig and the atmosphere even from the lones of the canal end was still spot on!

grumpytrousers · 28-06-2005 9:03am

No ... they are loosing their touch

I think at this stage it's safe to say that if you weren't in the upper tier you got good sound. It seems to be only the people towards the canal end, and IN the canal end upper tier that got the feedback/echo stuff going on.

Still a significant number of dissatisfied punters, mind...

bob_z · 28-06-2005 9:04am

Was ok satisified. :)

What a gig. Was really glad they played Bad......it's one of my favourite songs.
Once it got dark, the visuals were amazing....all in all a big thumbs up.

On a side note, a mate of mine was listening to the gig outside the stadium and she said that at around 9.45/10 o'clock, ticketmaster were selling tickets for €50 and that people were going crazy trying to buy them.

GeorgeBailey · 28-06-2005 9:06am

No ... they are loosing their touch

The best part of the gig was the feeling of superiority I had over the losers with no tickets. It was like looking down at the peasants.

samo · 28-06-2005 9:10am

bob_z wrote:

On a side note, a mate of mine was listening to the gig outside the stadium and she said that at around 9.45/10 o'clock, ticketmaster were selling tickets for €50 and that people were going crazy trying to buy them.

I wonder if thats why at around 10.00 the 2 patches of emptiness that were in the Hogan/Cusack stands towards the canal end suddenly filled up!

el tel · 28-06-2005 9:29am

If the girl who was in Hogan Stand, section 330, row CC, around seat 4-6
and wearing a a pale blue top and jeans, is reading this, you are beautiful and the best thing about the concert.

okidoki987 · 28-06-2005 9:32am

On a side note, a mate of mine was listening to the gig outside the stadium and she said that at around 9.45/10 o'clock, ticketmaster were selling tickets for €50 and that people were going crazy trying to buy them.

Why the **** didn't they sell them earlier and where did the tickets suddenly come from?

Lord Nikon · 28-06-2005 9:47am

Was ok satisified. :)

I got free tickets to the concert and free passes into the Pre-bash in Barcode. Sweet.

besty · 28-06-2005 10:03am

Was ok satisified. :)

oh my god it was amazing. i was really really impressed. so happy i was there.

my favourite songs from last night;
with or without you
bad
love and peace or else
elevation

okidoki987 · 28-06-2005 10:30am

Heard the touts were GETTING 600 EURO a ticket last night
from somebody who was there trying to get a ticket! :eek:

besty · 28-06-2005 10:40am

Was ok satisified. :)

i was offered €500 yesterday afternoon just before I set out to go into Croker. No chance I was going to sell them

pinkyirl · 28-06-2005 10:55am

canal end upper tier was absolutely fine last night.
i was freaked yesterday after reading all the bad reports of sound on here - but they must have sorted it out, cos i had no complaints whatsoever - could here every word that was said or spoken

ionapaul · 28-06-2005 10:57am

Fools. Money. Soon. Parted.

I was in the Canal End, Lower Tier yesterday (right at the back) and the sounds seemed fine to me. Great gig and a good atmosphere.

LegacyUser · 28-06-2005 12:04pm

I was lucky enough to see both Friday and Monday’s concerts, from different perspectives. Friday I was stewarding in Roinn 326, which is just over the tunnel in the corner of the lower Hogan and Canal stands, and I can see why some people would be a bit miffed regarding the sound. Musically is was fine, vocals etc sounded good IMO, but Bono’s between set speel was difficult to make out. I saw both support bands on Friday, and I have to say I though The Radiators were f**king terrible. I don’t know if it was they’re sound, or if they’re just crap, but they weren’t at the races as far as I was concerned. I’m not a fan so it’s just my humble opinion. On the contrary, I thought Snow Patrol were very good. Their sound was pretty loud, could possibly have been a little more ‘refined’ (hard to describe what I mean!), but they put on a good show. As far as I can remember U2 kicked off at 8.50pm, and went through to 11.07pm (correct me if I’m wrong). Here’s the set list from Friday:

Vertigo
I Will Follow
Electric Co.
Elevation
New Year's Day
Beautiful Day
Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Wild Horses
City of Blinding Lights
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Running To Stand Still
Pride In The Name of Love
Where The Streets Have No Name
One

Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You

All Because of You
Yahweh
Vertigo

Last night I had tickets for the pitch standing. Was walking up to Croker through Summerhill at 2pm when my brother phoned to ask me had I taken two of the tickets to work that morning! I hadn’t, and it turned out they were sitting in my place on top of the bloddy CD rack! Cue jumping into a taxi, heading across town to Dublin 12 and back to Croker, (1 hour in a cab, €25 well spent!) and arrived about 10 minutes before they opened the gates. Straight into the pit and enjoyed the sun for a few hours. Was stading directly in from of the ego ramp on stage right, (house left). Saw The Bravery and Ash, both of who I thought were very good. Didn’t realise The Bravery were Yanks. I presumed U2 were going to kick off again around 8.45/8.50, but then at 9pm the roadie came out on stage with a wireless mic, and told the crowd that due to delays in some people arriving, the start would be delayed shortly. At this point the place was wedged, and we couldn’t figure out how anyone else could be let in. It then looked like that the band were the ones arriving late, they seemed to walk up from Jones Road between the end of thr Hogan Stand and Hill 16, and straight onto stage. That was around 9.07pm. The place went mental. Outstanding concert, and the best set list IMO. I thought it was excellent the way the intensity of the songs and atmosphere grew as the night went on. Coming towards the end, it was manic. Two encores, which I wasn’t expecting the second one as “the end” was displayed on the screen, but once the house lights didn’t go up you knew something was on the cards. Thought the ending was the best, where they all left one by one and left Larry onstage himself to take the final bow. It is his band after all!! What a weekend. Outstanding!! Wrapped up about 11.45pm. Set list from Monday night was:

Vertigo
All Because of You
Gloria
Elevation
An Cat Dubh / Into the Heart
Beautiful Day
Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Original of the Species
Bad
City of Blinding Lights
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Running To Stand Still
Pride In The Name of Love
Where The Streets Have No Name
One

Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You
Vertigo

Yahweh
'40'

Here’s a few pics from where we were as well.

PS – Does anyone know what the entrance track was for the three gigs??

LegacyUser · 28-06-2005 12:05pm

A few more pics...

LegacyUser · 28-06-2005 12:06pm

Last five...

moshpit77 · 28-06-2005 1:50pm

Somebody said it was 'Wake Up' by Arcade Fire

Is this it?... listen

SteM · 28-06-2005 2:30pm

Was ok satisified. :)

moshpit77 wrote:

Somebody said it was 'Wake Up' by Arcade Fire

Is this it?... listen

Yes, the entrance music was Wake Up by Arcade Fire. I've not listened to the link but am listening to their album on my mp3 player at the moment.

Jenna · 28-06-2005 2:53pm

Was ok satisified. :)

Incredible! I was up the very front of the pit and I thought it was spectacular. Fair play to all the orgainisers, great show.

jackal · 28-06-2005 3:30pm

Went on friday. Im not a huge U2 fan, but the missus is. Was also at slane. Gotta say, I fell victim to the sound problems in the canal end. It ruined the concert, especially snow patrol. Bloody waste of money, and everyone I know who was also in canal end said the same. Visually it was cool though.

Wont be going to another u2 gig. Alot of money to be dissapointed.

Sauron · 28-06-2005 4:18pm

was in the canal end coporate level.. Amazing, really enjoyed it. the atmosphere was amazing.. you could barely hear Bono over the crowd singing some songs... very cool visuals.. and when Bono came out and siad they could play for another 30 minutes I was so happy.. only tiny problem being that the stage was a bit far away but still good..

Highlights for me were

Where the Streets have no name,
With or Without you
Elevation
Sunday Bloody Sunday..

Great gig.. amazing live band..

Dcully · 29-06-2005 1:45pm

Was ok satisified. :)

Does anyone know what the entrance track was for the three gigs??

The build up track is called "wake up" by arcade fire.

edit,sorry didnt see above reply.

LegacyUser · 09-07-2005 7:41pm

Does anyone know if there are bootlegs of any of the Croker concerts floating around? I know Rhythm Records on the quays in Dublin carry some of the previous tours on CD. Anyone hear if there are any decent recordings of the Vertigo gigs out there?

kensutz · 09-07-2005 7:53pm

Was ok satisified. :)

Yeah i got the Saturday one

moshpit77 · 10-07-2005 4:24pm

They are availbale on torrent sites so give it a couple of weeks and ebay should have them, and of course rythm records

U2 in Croke Remarks - Was it worth it?

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