They’re back (or “were” I should say!) You all know how much I dig U2, so of course, I went to both sold-out shows at Angel Stadium in Anaheim this past weekend for the 7th leg of the 360 Tour.
Both concerts were more than enjoyable but, I can say that Saturday night’s show was the best U2 performance I have ever seen. I didn’t feel like the band was as excited on Friday night. Bono acknowledged on Saturday evening about one-fourth of the way through the show, “We woke up!” Also, the band sang a moving version of “Amazing Grace” which morphed into “Where the Streets Have No Name”-one of my faves! And the Friday night show lasted for almost 2 hours, while Saturday night’s performance went on for 2.5 hours (and it could have gone on longer if you ask me!) The song choices were better on Saturday night too-like “The Fly” which hasn’t been performed since 2006. I can appreciate the fact that the guys put on 2 completely different shows though. It just demonstrates their commitment to their craft and appreciation for their fans.
The last song of Saturday’s concert, U2 dedicated “Moment of Surrender” to the late and great saxophonist Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band, followed by Bono reciting the lyrics from the Springsteen classic “Jungleland.” Earlier in the evening, the band paid tribute to former INXS lead singer and good friend Michael Hutchence (who committed suicide in 1997) by singing “Stuck in a Moment” in his memory.
Lenny Kravitz opened the show both nights, but he too seemed more pumped on Saturday. Perhaps because it was the last show in LaLaLand? Who knows. That massive stage complete with “The Claw” which hangs from above, would be hard for any band to fill, especially while the sun is still out. But Kravitz did a pretty good job with his groovy rock tunes like “Let Love Rule,” “It Ain’t Over til It’s Over,” and “Always On the Run.” I’ll say this, he definitely got the crowd on their feet and ready for U2.
And this wouldn’t have been LA-even though we were in suburbia!-without a fair share of celebs in the audience. On Friday night, Maria Shriver [Bono dedicated “Pride (In the Name of Love)” to her], Bobby Shriver, and Gordon Ramsey were in the house, while Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, Cindy Crawford, Tom Morello, and Quincy Jones enjoyed U2 the following evening.
Here are the set lists for both Friday and Saturday nights:
Friday:
Even Better Than The Real Thing, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, The Great Curve – Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Until the End of the World, Happy Birthday, All I Want Is You, Stay – In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning, Beautiful Day – Space Oddity, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo – Are You Gonna Go My Way, I’ll Go Crazy (remix) – Discotheque – Life During Wartime – Psycho Killer, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On – You’ll Never Walk Alone Encore: One – United We Stand, Will You Love Me Tomorrow – Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender
Saturday:
Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways – Don’t Speak, Until the End of the World, One, Amazing Grace – Where the Streets… – All You Need Is Love – Anthem, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots – She Loves You, I Still Haven’t Found…, Stuck In a Moment, Beautiful Day – Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo – It’s Only Rock and Roll, I’ll Go Crazy (remix) – Discotheque – Please, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On – Never Walk Encore: Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender – Jungleland
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“Until the End of the World”:
“Amazing Grace”/”Where the Streets Have No Name”:
“With or Without You”:
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