U2 are the kings of infinite space
U2 are the kings of infinite space
By David Smyth, Evening Standard
Star power: Bono (left) is criticised for believing he is the centre of the universe but he knows how to make fans feel they have joined him somewhere very special
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.
Wembley’s biggest gig: U2 perform in front of record-breaking 88,000 fans
Wembley’s biggest gig: U2 perform in front of record-breaking 88,000 fans
By Daily Mail Reporter
The record for the biggest audience at Wembley Stadium was broken when U2 performed there last night.
More than 88,000 people attended the gig, breaking the record held by Foo Fighters, who appeared in front of 83,000 fans last year.
The extra capacity for U2 was made possible by a 64ft-high stage, the tallest in the world, called The Claw.
Record-breaking: Bono (R) and The Edge of U2 perform at Wembley Stadium in front of 88,000 fans
The four-legged, crab-like construction ensured that there was more room for fans.
Frontman Bono said: ‘The Claw means more people can fit into the shows and everyone will be closer to the action.’
Show director Willie Williams, who developed the solid steel contraption, added: ‘It’s a really amazing spectacle – when you are on stage all you can see is people.’
U2’s tour has seen the group perform at a number of outdoor venues, including Barcelona and Zagreb.
Welcome to Wembley: The Irish band performed on top of a solid steel contraption named the claw
Welcome to Wembley: The Irish band performed on top of a solid steel contraption named the claw
U2 London 2009-08-15 The Unforgettable Fire
U2 London 2009-08-15 The Unforgettable Fire
The Unforgettable Fire (first angle)
The Unforgettable Fire (second angle, thanks to Martin)
U2 London 2009-08-15 The Unforgettable Fire (FOS version)
U2 London 2009-08-14 Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
U2 London 2009-08-14 Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
http://www.u2gigs.com- U2 performing Ultra Violet (Light My Way) during their 360 degrees world tour in London on August, 14th, 2009.
U2 London 2009-08-14 Mysterious Ways
U2 London 2009-08-14 Mysterious Ways
http://www.u2gigs.com - U2 performing Mysterious Ways during their 360 degrees world tour in London on August, 14th, 2009.
U2 – The Fly
U2 – The Fly