U2 Experience + Innocence Tour Report Manchester & London 20th & 23rd October 2018

U2 Experience & Innocence Tour

Full Report From Manchester Arena & London 02 Arena

 October 20th-23rd 2018

 

'1987' Many of you readers were not even born but it was a crucial time for this band, and an Epic time for Irish Rock.

 

It was the year that 'U2' released 'Joshua Tree' with it's singles 'Still Have'nt Found What I'm Looking For' ,'Where The Streets Have No Name' and 'With Or Without You', they cracked the American market the rest is history.

 

Last year they tour again for the 30 yr anniversary I could not go I had another gig in 'Brighton',so this tour I was going all out to be there to see the first real rock band I'd heard growing up so I didn't just want to see them once it wouldn't be enough.

 

 

After seeing the transformation of the 90's shows with the technology they were usually the first band to showcase new effects with other UK bands trying to follow in their technical footsteps late 2000's namely 'Muse' who toured with them on their 360 Tour .

 

 

So finally tickets in the bag now to the show at last, beginning in the hometown  'Manchester' I've heard its difficult to achieve pole position at front as the fan community are quite dedicated sometimes queueing 2 days in advance of the show.

 

 

I arrive to a raucous noise of many people talking laughing and #organising people with numbers and cough #wristbands yes they actually have the Arena staff issuing wristbands early its 7.30am !! my number #89 ( not bad considering that people started queuing 2 days ago or even a day ago)... or -did they ?

 

Excitement is brewing for me as the doors open I have to descend the stairs as safely and precise without panicking, no need to ,where I was heading the whole barrier along the walkway of the left was clear, I couldn't believe it!!

 

 

No Support band 'U2' started at 8-15pm with the Huge Screen above hiding the elevating walkway it brings with it, beginning with a  powerful film picturing 'Berlin 1941' followed by more countries at various states of war , a sketch of 'Charlie Chaplin' as a dictator a stark reminder so near to 'Rememberance Sunday' that War and Division are pointless and unnecessary depicting current presidents and prime ministers of the world-The People against the 'Propaganda'. 

 

 

 

Switching to an image of each band member appearing on the long screen the whole length of the arena in B/W beginning with the band  on the main stage near the Vip 'Red Zone'  either side for 'Its A Beautiful World' and 'Love Is All We Have Left', then a real step back into the past from 'Boy' ,'I Will Follow' one of my fav early 'U2' songs (which influenced 90's band 'Marion' in a reverse bridge chorus for a song called The Only Way). 

 

 

What a rush I hadn't expected this track tonight everyone was jumping up and down dancing with there being tonnes of room on the floor and the best was yet to come!!.

 

During 'Beautiful Day' the band was on the move down the elevated walkway at audience level above our heads and screen slowly moving up to reveal 'Bono' larger or should I shorter than life right in front of me wearing black Denim and his trademark bi-focal sunglasses ,'Larry' is also seen further ahead on his drums and following 'Bono' , 'The Edge' as they begin 'The Fly' I'm in awe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I notice he can see that as he smiles slightly, no really right at me, I'm wearing glasses tonight and my jewelled headband, which must be startling with the lights as during the walk across 'Bono' is holding the chains suspended above and is now leaning over looking right through me looking back at him I can see his eyes clearly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then still in this epic moment of recognition 'Adam' is on the Bass and moving around the drumkit, during my fav slower song from 'Achtung Baby', 'Stay Faraway So-Close' love that song so much and the whole arena sings along in unison , you had to be there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Another from that album 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses', the screen comes back down to display a cartoon strip of the band with 'Hold Me Thrill Me, Kiss Me Kill Me' they are characters  in the clip saying they need to get to Manchester Arena and taking a cab ride before reappearing on the B stage at the end further up.

 

 

 

 

 

'Bono' now in top hat like a ringmaster with the bands equipment on there too this time for 'Elevation', and in keeping with the 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' theme they also played the smash hit 'Vertigo',a disco ball descends over the stage for 'Even Better Than The Real Thing' ,I have to really lean to see whats happening down there but looks amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

Then 'Bono' resurrects the character 'Mephisto' half devil Jekyll & Hyde character created for the 1992 tour using minimal make up instead computer effects change into the various expressions and mannerisms projected onto the screen he speaks in the evil sounding accent "I'm a great believer in burning down clubs such as the ones of Parties he goes on in a political thread and also namechecks ...the E.U. ..cheers in the crowd at the controversial references, he finishes the set on the stage with 'Acrobat' with the unforgettable line ''Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down".

 

 

 

 

 

Now halfway through the show there's another surprise up the bands sleeve with 2 separate podiums either side of the main stage for 'Adam' and 'The Edge' (other side of the walkway opposite) as 'Pride-In The Name of Love' kicks in everyone runs across like in a totps studio to 'Adam' on the Bass just behind me and 'The Edge' with 'Bono' on main stage belting out the notes, I liked this song before I even knew who it was through Radio Play.

 

 

 

 

 

Song from the new album, and flag from the E.U. with a small 'British' Star our part in the flag as 'Bono' does a speech about the current political situation "You're not just a star on a flag you know it means something far more than that, we love you, Europe loves you, speaking about the Irish connection .. Its better with you together.

 

 

Beginning the poigniant 'One' is never more relevant than today,its a particularly emotional moment for everyone here as he walks down to the crowd  looking out meaningfully at everyone orchestrating the crowd perfectly, and then onto another oldie 'New Years Day'.

 

 

 

 

Ending on sombre less joyful moment with a reading of an excerpt of  'This Is The Place'  by Tony Walsh in tribute to the Arena and our city ,as he steps off the stage end he disappears into the crowd and he's gone a great show and despite the scale of it an intimate experience too.

 

 

Part 2

 

 

Onto 'London' 02 Arena now it's 5.30am yes I'm earlier today I want a chance at B stage (So does everyone) no one is here at the venue no queuing but I know they are around somewhere organising.... 7 ish in the morning after early hot chocolate in the coffee shop.. movement  suddenly theres at least a hundred people gathering and I've not got my number yet but strangely everyone else has.

 

 

Worth mentioning today is a Tuesday but apparently registration began on Sunday afternoon the queue was on Sunday but 'Unofficially' I am No2 as far as I'm aware but no longer according to the immortal clipboard list I'm #129 !!!

 

 

 

I then begin to realise the system is unfair no one actually stays overnight for 2 days at all just allocates numbers underground with outsiders clueless about any of it until the day (That is not queuing!!) so it's a long day  6 people didn't come back for next count so I moved up 6 places apparently so I'm technically #123 now yayyy super.

 

 

 

Doors eventually open and its the usual security nightmare scenario, queue system out the window, however I manage to get on the B stage barrier ready for show 2.

 

 

 

I'm actually feeling like I'm in the crew as equipment rolls past me and 'Larry's drumkit is setup in front of me effectively I'm behind the drums, 'Larry' turns to throw drumsticks out I'm a little to close to catch any,Adam is close by and 'The Edge' lots of crew rushing round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 'Bono's security man turns out to be a blast from the past from 'Muse's early days on Tour , he actually gave me 'Matts' flying V in '2006' after a fight for it in 'Manchester' I don't interupt his job although he looks less serious than he used to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As 'Bono' does the 'Mephisto' act I feel like I'm in his dressing room watching him take off the make up in the mirror before 'Acrobat' it was surreal, tonight we got 'Gloria' as 'Manchester got this on the 1st night I wasn't there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Another great finish to the show of 'Bono' on the B stage holding a large light bulb hanging down from the set, walking past the crowd through a gate to the exit, what a superb 1st time experience seeing this band, I never thought it possible to be that close on both shows it was epic the moral is ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...Keep Believing In The Dream.

 

 

 

 

 

 Lmi xo

 

Taking a Break Now .... be back before Xmas break with The 90's again ...