Tour Report: U2 360°, 2009-2010

Yes, I haven't reported on any of these concerts (8 in total), so I will now simply put them into one big Tour Report post instead.  First off, here is the show listing, complete with info on where I was in the venue:

2009:
24 July, Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland - GA, inside inner circle, backs to catwalk rail, Edge's side
25 July, Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland - GA, on the rail outside catwalk, Adam's side
27 July, Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland - Seat, Hogan Stand upper level, opposite the Claw and backstage
3 August, Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - GA, steps at the back of the arena

2010:
6 August, Olympic Stadium, Torino, Italy - Seat, behind stage to the right, on lower level
15 August, Casa Arena, Horsens, Denmark - GA, on the rail outside catwalk, center section
16 August, Casa Arena, Horsens, Denmark - Seat, at the very back of the venue
22 September, Roi Baudouin Stadium, Bruxelles, Belgium - GA, in the middle of the crowd, center section

First off, as you can see, I've had a lot of different vantage points on this show. And I've gone with lots of different people, family and friends, and I've gone alone. A U2 tour is always a great excuse to go visit someone or to meet up with people in Dublin (because ultimately that's where everyone wants to see them play, and Croke Park is one of the best places to do that).

The show did change a lot between 2009 and 2010 - some of the songs from the new album were no longer played quite so much, but it left room for older favorites and for completely new songs to be added. In Torino, Bono asked for all lights to be turned off for the first-ever performance of a brand-new song called 'North Star', which has yet to see official release. It was an amazing experience to sit in a stadium lit only by the audience's mobile phones, hearing U2 play a song none of us had ever heard before.

But I have to say, I did miss 'Unknown Caller' in 2010 - it was very clear from the 2009 shows that they were having a ton of fun playing it live - Bono enjoyed himself immensely telling Croke Park over and over 'you know your name, so punch it in' all the while stabbing the air with his forefinger as if he were typing something. The whole karaoke aspect to the visuals employed for 'Unknown Caller' probably helped too.

The Claw had to be seen to be believed - I know I've said it before on this blog, but there really were no bad spots to be anywhere on this tour. Upfront you could see the band well, but you could only really see the Claw from below, so there were a lot of 'fireworks' that you simply were unable to see properly. That was certainly not the case if you had a seat, but then the band of course were far away. Even at the back of the venue, the view of the full spectacle of the Claw could only ever be described as awesome.

Then there was the powerhouse triad of 'Ultraviolet', 'With Or Without You' and the show-closer 'Moment Of Surrender'. I have never experienced a sequence so powerful as those 3 put together. The sometime replacing of 'Ultraviolet' with 'Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me' just didn't pack the same collective punch, although 'Hold Me' is fantastic live (and it had been missing from the Elevation and Vertigo tours, so it had sure been a while since I'd heard it). It made sense on its own, also given the setup with the circle mike that Bono had to play with, and the laser jacket and everything - but after I'd gotten used to 'Ultraviolet' I just found myself missing it more than I was enjoyed being held and thrilled etc. Here's a picture from that part of the show, so you can see what I mean.

And one of the songs from 'No Line On The Horizon' did become a permanent fixture on setlists throughout the tour - the remixed version of 'I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight', which is very different from the recorded version, and infectious as hell. It also saw Larry take his turn on the catwalk with his drum, joined by Adam and Edge, while Bono stayed on the main stage.No 'Mysterious Ways', 'Elevation', 'City Of Blinding Lights', nor even 'Where The Streets Have No Name' can compete with this one for party mood! I get all jumpy just thinking about it :)

Of course, there were lots more memorable moments. On 27 July 2009, I was walking towards Croke Park from city centre, and I could hear U2 soundchecking from far away, and once I got up to the stadium, they launched into full versions of first 'Drowning Man' and then 'Electrical Storm' (none of which made the show, unfortunately).

I had never really imagined that they would play 'The Unforgettable Fire' (it's from their 1984 album of the same name), but that also became a setlist mainstay, and always followed by 'City Of Blinding Lights' (another great combo).

Concert Report: Tori Amos, Royal Theatre, Copenhagen, 21 October 2011

So, we were going to the Tori Amos show here in Copenhagen. I had been trying to gather a bit of info on the Meet & Greets that I knew Tori does, so when we decided to head into town, I suggested we swing by the venue, just to see if something was going on or not. There were a few people hanging around - all Toriphiles - who said that nothing had been announced yet. I had packed for all eventualities, so we had Sharpies and I had something for Tori to sign, just in case. Giorgia did not though, so we went to get her the new album, and went back to the theater to hang out for a bit. I get so hyper on occasions like this, and I didn't really think anything would happen, but about 45 mins later, we all get let into the foyer and the two of us end up at the top of the queue, in 4th or 5th position. And those 45 mins didn't even feel that long, because we were having so much fun outside with Pingufo. The atmosphere was so relaxed and calm - most of the people we'd seen before were behind us in the queue, but they didn't seem to care at all. The whole thing was so different from the U2 experiences I've had - first of all of course, way less people here, and way way less screaming and pushing and shoving, which I just don't do, and which is also the reason I never got close to any of the guys, but that's okay. Back to Tori :)

So, we're standing there, with Sharpies at the ready, and my hands are shaking, because I can't really believe we're about to say 'hello' to Tori Amos. She comes out, and the first in line go up to talk to her, and we stay back, so the whole thing becomes very private, which is just amazing. Everyone is just chatting quietly among themselves, while the people with Tori get to talk to her for a bit, get their stuff signed, and a picture taken too. There was no rush at all. And then it was our turn, and I think we walked up to her with these ridiculously big grins on our faces. Thankfully, Tori sort of took charge of any conversation once past the hello's and how-are-you's, and asked us where we were from and stuff like that - about 5 mins, then we got our autographs, and our picture taken, and we said goodbye. The doors had been locked to the outside, to keep control of the situation, so we hung around the foyer together with the other people for another hour, while Tori met with all the other fans. Towards the end they let in a few stragglers, but by then time was running short, so those could either have an autograph or photo, but not both. Boy, did we feel lucky! It was such a lovely experience, she was so sweet to us, and I would definitely do this again, next time I'm going to a Tori Amos concert.

After that we went to the Cornish Pasty House for some food, and then home to get ready for the concert - we were dressing up a bit, seeing as we'd be going to the Royal Theatre, so it was black dresses, heels and nice shawls. (For those Ravelers among you, I wore my In Dreams, for the first time ever). We started off taking our seats on the wrong floor (we were first floor, not balcony, but not too much of a difference to matter), but we were second row in the center, and the view of the stage was perfect.

It was just Tori and a string quartet playing and she started off with 'Shattering Sea' from the new album, which is the first track also on the record. The setlist had a good few surprises - the highlights for me were 'I Can't See New York', followed by 'China', 'Cloud On My Tongue' and 'Sister Janet', which is one of my fave B-sides. But, it was quite fun hearing the string quartet play their instruments like percussion for 'Suede' and 'Cruel'. I really enjoyed 'Edge Of The Moon' live, and it's one of my favourites from the new album. 'Snow Cherries From France' and 'Siren' were expected, as they'd been on plenty of the previous set lists, and I very much enjoyed them - the former is just so lovely to sing, and it's one of the sweetest songs I know, and 'Siren' - well, I love that song in all the guises I've heard it in. Set list below is courtesy of www.undented.com, and I have given the respective albums and years as well.

Shattering Sea	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
Scarborough Fair (solo) (Trad.)
Suede	(The Choirgirl Hotel, 1998)
Way Down (solo)	(Boys For Pele, 1996)
Snow Cherries From France	(Tales Of A Librarian, 2003)
Fearlessness	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
I Can’t See New York (solo)	(Scarlet's Walk, 2002)
China (solo)	(Little Earthquakes, 1992)
Mr. Zebra (solo)	(Boys For Pele, 1996)
Girl Disappearing	(American Doll Posse, 2007)
Cloud On My Tongue	(Under The Pink, 1994)
Star Whisperer	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
Cool On Your Island (solo)	(Y Kant Tori Read, 1988)
Edge Of The Moon (solo)	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
Sister Janet (solo)	(Cornflake Girl, Single 1994)
Nautical Twilight	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
Siren	(Great Expectations, Soundtrack)
Winter	(Little Earthquakes, 1992)
Cruel	(The Choirgirl Hotel, 1998)
A Multitude Of Shades (String Quartet without Tori)
Baker Baker	(Under The Pink, 1994)
Time (solo)	(Strange Little Girls, 2001)
Waltzing Matilda (solo) (Trad.)
Carry	(Night Of Hunters, 2011)
Big Wheel	(American Doll Posse, 2007)

Tori!

I will post more about this later, when I have time to collect my thoughts - for now this picture will have to speak for me....

Eh, and for those who are not familiar with these faces, from the left we have T, me, G - and Pingufo, who was way way too excited about the whole thing....

Tori Amos - Night Of Hunters

I've had a few days now of listening to the new Tori Amos album 'Night Of Hunters' and I'm slowly getting into it. This one is a grower - not many songs grabbed me upon first listen. I'm getting a massive kick out of 'The Battle Of Trees' of course, given that I so recently finished reading 'The White Goddess', and the Beth-Luis-Nion alphabet is even listed with the lyrics in the CD liner!

Also, 'The Chase' clearly draws on Celtic shape-shifter tales, like the one of Ceridwen chasing Gwion Bach through various shapes (he a hare, she a greyhound, he a fish, she an otter, he a bird, she a hawk), until he finally changes into a grain of corn. She becomes a hen and swallows him, becoming pregnant, giving birth to Taliesin nine months later. But the whole rebirth theme is not obviously included in the song, so I'm wondering where that got to... hmmmm.... This one may need to grow on me a bit more :) Incidentally, this song is also basing itself on the only classical piece here that I know, namely one from Mussorgsky's 'Pictures At An Exhibition'.

All songs on this record bar one are taking their cue from existing classical pieces, and the songs form a cycle dealing with a break-up, charting the night after the man departs from the house in Ireland where they were staying, leaving the woman behind. No-one does concept albums quite like Tori does! So much food for your mind and imagination - love it!

I am so looking forward to seeing her live next week (and hoping very much she'll do that U2 cover, 'Running To Stand Still', which has been cropping up on set lists recently).

Top Fifteen Albums as of 2011*

In no particular order.....

Kate Bush - Hounds Of Love
I loved 'Running Up That Hill' the first time I heard it back in 1985, and the rest of the album is pretty darn amazing too. 'Hounds Of Love' and 'Hello Earth' are firm favourites as well.

Florence & The Machine - Lungs
I bought this following a rave review in Q Magazine, in Heathrow airport, and I'm so glad I did. Love it, love it, love it!

Afro Celt Sound System - Volume 3: Further In Time
I don't actually remember how I got into the Afro Celts, but it may have been the collaboration with Sinéad that did it. Anyway, I'm now a big fan, and will be looking forward to Iarla's new album.

Christy Moore - Live At The Point
My first Christy Moore album, and one of my all-time faves. I've never seen him live, but he's on my list!  On a good night, I'd say he'll be hard to beat.

Sarah McLachlan - Mirrorball
What a voice.... I was lucky enough to catch her live in Dublin at some stage, and she played lots of stuff I loved, and then she played 'The Silence', totally unexpected. One heck of a night in the old Point Depot!

Bell X1 - Flock
The only time I've seen these guys live so far is opening for U2 in Croke Park. Which is not a bad thing! But for ages before that I'd heard they had the reputation for being phenomenal live, and I'd well believe it. Their albums are gems.

Clannad - Legend
The music that started the whole Irish thing for me. I watched 'Robin Of Sherwood' on German telly in 1983-84. Then later on I got hooked on Enya as well (found out she was either sister or niece to all the members of Clannad). Started looking into what this Gaelic language was, because I wanted to know what they were singing about. Then I got into U2. Then I got into Irish history, more cultural stuff, and then I went there for a year as an au-pair, and well.... the rest is history....

Tina Dickow - Welcome Back Colour
I saw her for the first time quite unexpectedly, playing support to Northern-Irish singer Cara Dillon in Vicar Street in 2006, which was an awesome night. Recently I saw her in Tivoli and the gig was fantastic - concert report was posted here at the time.

Thea Gilmore - Liejacker
I got turned onto this great singer through the compilation album 'Where's Neil When You Need Him', where all the music had been inspired by stuff written by Neil Gaiman. Thea had chosen Shadow for her subject and the results were terrific. So is the rest of this album.

Lisa Hannigan - Sea Sew
Her voice is amazing, and yet some of these songs feel like she's singing them into my ear (as does Bono on 'Your Blue Room').

Linkin Park - Reanimation
I'd heard parts of 'Hybrid Theory' through my brother and I'd kinda liked it, but the video for 'Points Of Authority' tuned me into this album, which is somewhat better than 'Hybrid Theory', if you ask me. Favourite track has to be 'My December'.

Jack L - Songs From The Little Universe
Oh what an unforgettable night in the Olympia Theatre! Jack Lukeman, showman extraordinaire! And you could buy this disc of what you'd just heard, recorded in one day, the discs decorated and signed by Jack himself. Only sold at these shows, it remains a fave record of mine, and was such a nice surprise.

Madonna - Ray Of Light
She has yet to better this. Nuff said.

Sinéad O'Connor - Collaborations
A collection of all sorts of duets and collaborations done over the years - even 'Heroine' is here. As is the  track she recorded with the Afro Celts. I listen to this a good deal more than I do her own albums (although I still have a very soft spot for 'Universal Mother').

Paul Oakenfold - Bunkka
Of course, this starts with a U2 connection - the Perfecto remixes of songs like 'Even Better Than The Real Thing', 'Mysterious Ways', 'Beautiful Day' and 'Lemon' - Perfecto being comprised of Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne. This album is friggin' awesome.

*This is not counting any albums by U2, Tori Amos, Dave Matthews Band or Bruce Springsteen. Or affiliates. Because they'd fill up the list all by themselves pretty quickly.