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David Smyth's rating
U2 are the kings of infinite space
By
David Smyth
17 Aug 2009
Not content with being the biggest band on Earth, U2 now seem intent on bringing outer space into the equation, too.
At the first British show of their first tour in four years, they came on stage to the sound of Space Oddity and left as the mobile phones of the record 88,000-strong crowd turned Wembley’s bowl into a galaxy of tiny stars.
Although they didn’t phone up the International Space Station, as they did on the first night in Barcelona, they did perform beneath a collossal contraption that might have just landed from Mars.
“The Claw”, the tallest stage ever built, looked as if it would either kill us all or snap shut and win a teddy bear.
Beneath it were four tiny toy soldiers playing songs that matched the impossible scale of the surroundings.
They could be viewed from all sides while they circled the stage’s discs, rings and rotating bridges like joggers doing laps of the park.
Though visually unparalleled, musically there was too much emphasis on recent album No Line On The Horizon, which looks like becoming their least popular release over here since Pop in 1997.
Of the four consecutive new songs that opened the show, the robotic riff of Get On Your Boots was the only one to get a significant reaction.
Overall, only Unknown Caller’s stirring chorus sounded as if it would survive to appear on future setlists.
Classics were also plentiful, however, from Mysterious Ways to Beautiful Day.
Saint Bono even kept the politics to a relative minimum for him, showing clips of the Iranian election protests during Sunday Bloody Sunday and dedicating Walk On to Aung San Suu Kyi.
He is regularly criticised for believing that he is the centre of the universe but in concert he knows how to make the fans feel as if they have joined him somewhere very special.
Those in U2’s orbit this weekend won’t come down to earth for a while yet.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (10)
Wembley was amazing, New York was off the planet.
anyone who complains should just get back to a student bar, and educate your self on what a proper rock band sounds like. If Bono died tomorrow you'd be front row, wailing about how he changed your life et al....appreciate what youve got NOW...
- Paul123, london, 08/10/2009 00:26
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Whilst spectacular and a sensory feast I felt the band themselves remained pretty detached from the crowd - almost robotic. I expected with the term 360 degrees in the title and the circular stage they could have made better use of it. The Vertigo Tour at Twickenham didn't leave me feeling short-changed in any way. This one was a bit "style over substance".
- Melanie, milton keynes, bucks, 07/10/2009 23:26
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Thank God, we had standing tickets. On the pitch, sound was absolutely ok, and stage easy to see. Great show! We came to celebrate my birthday, and I think it was a great gift. Missed a few old classics ('all I wan't is You' mostly...), but Bono really know to make a great party!!
Anyway, I hope, the show comes to Copenhagen, just to ROCK ON....!
Lasse Seneca, Denmark
- Lasse Seneca, Kalundborg, Denmark, 07/10/2009 23:26
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I bought seat tickets way back in March and that was the worst decision I made. Having not gone to Wembley before, I didn't know that the more expensive tickets would actually be further away from the stage!! What kind of concert ticketing is that?!
All said, I think the band was amazing on the night...the stage and lighting were up there with their usual standards. The acoustics are always a challenge in such a large venue and was ok.
- Gr, N1, 07/10/2009 23:26
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I was at Twickenham and thought Saturday's Wembley gig blew that one out of the water. Certainly I could see where my ticket money had gone. As to playing their latest songs, I'd spent the last two weeks doing my 'homework' and listening to the new album, which gets better and better with every go. It's just a shame other so-called fans didn't do the same - I think they'd have got a lot more out of the concert.
- Highburygal, London, 07/10/2009 23:26
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Bono the pretentious bore,the band talent less trash, totally defendant on gimmicks,but then they always were.
- Kev, London-UK, 07/10/2009 23:26
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Great visual spectacle and show, but the sound was terrible ! Awful acoustics in Wembley rendering the vocals and guitar almost unfathomable. Severe reverb and delay on the sound. Some of their best known tunes were hard to even distinguish, most disappointing !
- Graz, aylesbury, 07/10/2009 23:26
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Trully awesome, a band on top of their game no doubt. This is the third time I have seen them going right back to the Joshua Tree. How times have changed both in terms of the stage set and the audience. I do regret not having pictures from earlier gigs so I was pleased to get a few on my camera phone but I certainly wasnt going to let it get in the way of rocking out to a first class gig!
- Robert Paston, Chelmsford, Essex, 07/10/2009 23:26
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Over 30 years and they are still performing with such power & amazement, they are a truly great band of Rock 'n' Roll, a credit to the industry
- Susann, London, 07/10/2009 23:26
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A fabulous night, only regret not seeing them before the advance of the camera phone.
I think some of the audience were equally detached - why go to a gig when you only view it through your lense on your phone. Very surreal. People behind me spent the whole time just filming on their cameras? Ah well I guess the gig will be in its entirety on You Tube.
- Jc, W6, 07/10/2009 23:26
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