**The Offical U2 Fan Thread**

[KristianJ]

Yeah, I think it's a terrible shame. Can't wait for the upcoming tour, though. Sounds like it's beginning in Miami in March 2005, which means I'll need to get time off my first semester of uni to fly there and see some gigs. A bit of a pain, but I value once-in-a-lifetime U2 gigs more than I value a university course that will always be there. It'll be great when they finally get down here, considering how many shows I plan on being at.

Dear Bono,

Pleasepleaseplease play the Gold Coast. OK, I know I'll be at every other Australian and NZ gig, but STILL. The Gold Coast wants - nay, needs! - a U2 gig!

Sincerely,
Axver

Will he be displeased that Edge, Larry and Adam weren't addressed in your plea?

 

[Axver]

No, I figured the three lads were busy in the studio finishing the album, so I'd just bother Bono. Considering his recent speeches, he's got a bit of free time to read my letter in!

 

[Axver]

ACHTUNG, ACHTUNG!

I'm slightly late in announcing this, but ACHTUNG, BABY!

Arguably the greatest bootleg leak this year has just occurred, and if you've got a highspeed connection, you can join in on the fun! Got a copy of 11 June 1992, ZooTV live in Stockholm? VCD or DVD? Yeah, it's that annoying black and white or Sephia (orange-tinted) version, isn't it? I know you want the full colour one, but you can't find it because it's that rare that someone can hock it off on e-Bay for 101 Euros. Or so was the case until a short time ago. Some kind soul on SharingTheGroove.org has seeded THE FULL COLOUR DVD! YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! To quote a poster, "this is a life's dream." So yes, ACHTUNG, ACHTUNG, FULL COLOUR ZOOTV STOCKHOLM 11-06-92 IS OUT! I'm so bloody excited it's not funny. Go right here! Oh, by the way: NTSC warning.

I have only about 6-7 hours left on downloading the 28 August 1993 audienceshot Dublin DVD, and so I'll be jumping on the Stockholm DVD very soon. I CANNOT WAIT! WOOHOO!

 

[oldrooster]

I am hoping that they come back to SLC this time, would love to see them again. Notwithstanding my vote for Dream Theater, my love for U2 is unbroken.

 

[Axver]

How dare you post on this thread after voting for DT! Hehe, just kidding. I think the chances of U2 coming back to SLC (if by SLC you mean Salt Lake City) are pretty good. Having checked Elevation-Tour.com's archive of old shows, I see there were shows on the Boy and War Tours, then curiously absolutely nothing until Popmart, and then a third leg Elevation gig. I think if the tour follows Elevation's pattern, you'll definitely see them; if it follows ZooTV's, you might not, it will just depend where they go on their arena tour. I don't know what attendance and fan statistics are there so I don't know if they'd play a stadium (though they did on Popmart and I understand it sold out), and I haven't seen it listed when anyone's done a list of markets U2 can play stadium shows in and have no worries for selling out. Off the top of my head, these are U2's guaranteed US stadium markets no matter how good or bad their album is: Miami, Atlanta, Washington DC, New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, LA. In Europe and South America, they can sell out stadiums without doing a thing. 150,000 people in both Rome and Rio de Janeiro can speak for themselves.

 

[oldrooster]

I missed them the last time they were here, ticket price just too high. They actually did not sell out, but tickets were 100+, which I think is a little high. I paid 57.50 for Popmart, that was a fair price.

 

[KristianJ]

How dare you post on this thread after voting for DT! Hehe, just kidding. I think the chances of U2 coming back to SLC (if by SLC you mean Salt Lake City) are pretty good. Having checked Elevation-Tour.com's archive of old shows, I see there were shows on the Boy and War Tours, then curiously absolutely nothing until Popmart, and then a third leg Elevation gig. I think if the tour follows Elevation's pattern, you'll definitely see them; if it follows ZooTV's, you might not, it will just depend where they go on their arena tour. I don't know what attendance and fan statistics are there so I don't know if they'd play a stadium (though they did on Popmart and I understand it sold out), and I haven't seen it listed when anyone's done a list of markets U2 can play stadium shows in and have no worries for selling out. Off the top of my head, these are U2's guaranteed US stadium markets no matter how good or bad their album is: Miami, Atlanta, Washington DC, New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, LA. In Europe and South America, they can sell out stadiums without doing a thing. 150,000 people in both Rome and Rio de Janeiro can speak for themselves.

Don't stop ripping into the traitors, Ax!!

 

[Arwen Undomiel]

I voted for U2 - am I allowed to post here? Is that the club fee or the initiation? And will there be hazing?

 

[KristianJ]

No initiation, Arwen, unless Ax says so! Post as often as you please here.

 

[Axver]

The initiation is sending me lots and lots of bootlegs and/or money.

Shame that's not true. Also, it's a shame you missed U2 last time 'round, oldrooster. Hopefully better luck this time! I'm eagerly awaiting official announcement of single and album dates, and because I've never been around the fan community for a tour before, I don't know if that's when they'll announce tour dates or not. I'm hoping so.

 

[Axver]

OK folks, I just finished downloading the 28 August 1993, Dublin DVD and wow. Awesome stuff. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE SOUNDBOARD AUDIO OF THIS GIG, GET IT! The DVD's pretty damn cool as well. You tell me what other singer can film himself while spinning and twirling madly onstage and singing falsetto.

Now, I want to discuss a little bit. Topic for today: The Unforgettable Fire.

Forget Achtung Baby. Forget The Joshua Tree. U2's greatest masterpiece is simply The Unforgettable Fire. This has shot into first place as my favourite U2 studio album for the simple reason that it is the most revolutionary of U2's albums, the most daring, and the most artistic. People say U2 first went revolutionary with Achtung Baby. That's rubbish. U2 totally and utterly changed their style in 1984 with The Unforgettable Fire. It's just amazing. In just a few months, they went from the fiery, angry, politically charged youngsters who recorded the explosive War to men making what I consider to be a masterpiece of sound. The Unforgettable Fire is one of the best songs ever made, especially when you listen to Edge pull it off live. The landscapes he paints with his guitar are vivid and real; you can feel Hiroshima (for those who don't know the trivia, an exhibit of photos and art by Hiroshima survivors named The Unforgettable Fire inspired both song and album). U2 could not have changed more drastically. It's also probably the most personal and 'Irish' release ever. Let's go through the album.

A Sort Of Homecoming: Probably the best song on the album. From Bono's searing "screeeeaaaammaaaayyyyeeeeehhhhuuurrraaaaoooohh!" to the stunningly beautiful lyrics (And you know it's time to go/Through the sleet and driving snow/Across the fields of mourning/Light in the distance/And you hunger for the time, time to heal, desire time/And your earth moves beneath your own dream landscape), it evokes much in the way of mental imagery.

Pride (In The Name Of Love): The immortal anthem itself. Dedicated to Martin Luther King Junior but with clear allusions to Christ, this anthemic song has been played at most gigs since 1984. Few other songs can get entire stadiums singing like this one can.

Wire: U2's first song about drug addiction (especially heroin addiction) that ravaged Dublin. It confronts the harsh reality of drugs: "I give you hope, here's the rope, now swing away." I think that's one of the most haunting closing lines Bono's ever sung.

The Unforgettable Fire: I can't overstate the brilliance of this song. Some of Edge's best guitarwork and the whole band are at their most atmospheric. It's a case of "feel the power." There is nothing quite like listening to this live.

Promenade: Atmospheric, atmospheric, atmospheric. Why wasn't this song performed live? Because it's just too personal for Bono. "Up the spiral staircase to the higher ground" happens to describe a house he used to live in.

4th Of July: This can't be judged in isolation. Personally, I feel Promenade --> 4th Of July --> Bad are one song.

Bad: U2's second confrontation of the drug problems in Ireland, and one of their most powerful songs. It remains a staple of live performances, and while the studio version is only six minutes long, some absolute epics have been done onstage. I understand the longest was over thirteen minutes. It could be said that it's thanks to this song that U2 became so famous, because the epic twelve minute rendition stole the show at Live Aid. It's so amazing.

Indian Summer Sky: It's tragic that it was only played live nine times. A vastly under-rated song that I find particularly good. "So wind go through my heart ..."

Elvis Presley And America: Brian Eno decided to slow down the backing track of ASOH and sent Bono in to improvise lyrics over the top of it. In a single take, we got EPAA. Considering that, it's a wonderful song.

MLK: So beautiful. One of those songs you can love falling asleep to. Live, it worked amazingly well with The Unforgettable Fire.

I'm now that wrapped up in some boots I've downloaded that I can't finish this post. Have a good one, all!

 

[Arwen Undomiel]

I totally agree with you, Axver, on The Unforgettable Fire. What a powerful album. Every single song is breathtaking. The best songs (IMO) are Bad, A Sort of Homecoming and The Unforgettable Fire.

And while the musicianship is awesome, an album produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois just has to be great, too.

 

[oldrooster]

The initiation is sending me lots and lots of bootlegs and/or money.

Shame that's not true. Also, it's a shame you missed U2 last time 'round, oldrooster. Hopefully better luck this time! I'm eagerly awaiting official announcement of single and album dates, and because I've never been around the fan community for a tour before, I don't know if that's when they'll announce tour dates or not. I'm hoping so.

I really wanted to go, I was in the middle of my divorce then, and I just could not afford to go. I could have gotten my tickets through propaganda, so I know I would have received very good seats.....

 

[Axver]

Ah, I see, that stinks. Hopefully things will be going better for you this time! I'm just peeved Propaganda's no more ...

I totally agree with you, Axver, on The Unforgettable Fire. What a powerful album. Every single song is breathtaking. The best songs (IMO) are Bad, A Sort of Homecoming and The Unforgettable Fire.

And while the musicianship is awesome, an album produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois just has to be great, too.

Yes indeed! UF is just ... breathtaking, yes. To me, it feels like Ireland. It's vivid and real and a musical landscape. It's a shame few people outside the fan community are familiar with any of its genius beyond Pride. ASOH in particular is absolutely brilliant. As a note of random trivia, I understand ASOH uses the same notes as Sunday Bloody Sunday, just in a different order.

By the way, I'd like to give another reason why I love U2: they've introduced me to some cool new bands. Agiven's You My Idol rocks. Hooray for Irish music!

 

[KristianJ]

I was looking through a few mp3 laden CD's that a friend of mine gave me, and downloaded them to my hard drive. One of them was a Corrs song from an appearance they did at VH1, called When The Stars Go Blue, and the first voice I hear...Bono!! Very good song as well.

 

[Axver]

Yes indeed! Good song, and so is the other one Bono's done with The Corrs, Summer Wine. I understand he also wrote a song on their latest CD.

 

[KristianJ]

I'm listening to Summer Wine now...there he is!

 

[oldrooster]

I would agree with Axver, Unforgettable Fire is their greatest album, I just see it as a continuation of Boy, October & War....

 

[Axver]

Continuation of Boy, October, and War? I see it as a radical departure from it, going from an angry new wave, political rock band in stifled Dublin to an atmospheric rock group able to paint musical landscapes. Each to their own, I suppose.

By the way, I've been listening to Indian Summer Sky and I'm pretty sure this song is the precursor to Where The Streets Have No Name.

 

[oldrooster]

Continuation of Boy, October, and War? I see it as a radical departure from it, going from an angry new wave, political rock band in stifled Dublin to an atmospheric rock group able to paint musical landscapes. Each to their own, I suppose.

By the way, I've been listening to Indian Summer Sky and I'm pretty sure this song is the precursor to Where The Streets Have No Name.

What I meant was, it was the next logical step, same ideas in their music, just put forth with a different tune....