Vertiblog | unofficial blog of the 2005 U2 Vertigo Tour...

Latest Edge quote about touring...

2006-02-02T20:46:00.000-05:00

Last month Edge hinted that the band might not be able to top the Vertigo Tour. Well here's the latest quote from Edge and it should put to rest any rumors that U2 is packing it up:

"We grew up on the road ... It's such an integral part of what we are. I don't think we could give up touring. I don't think we could do what the Beatles did, just pack it in."

U2 to Play Aloha Bowl in Honolulu on April 8th...

2006-01-05T07:11:00.000-05:00

The group has won countless music awards around the world, sold millions of albums and the lead singer was just named one of Time Magazine's persons of the year.
U2, the Grammy Award-winning Irish rock band with an international following, will play in Honolulu April 8 at Aloha stadium.
U2 fans are already getting psyched up for the event.
"I think it's great, because I've seen them live before and they do a great show. They put on a really great show," said fan Mark Daigle.
"I think that's awesome," said Judah Raquinio, a fan outside Tower Records. When asked if he plans on going to the concert, Raquinio replied with, "Yeah, when do the tickets go on sale?"
That's the big question. The details haven't yet been worked out on when tickets go on sale or how much they'll be.
Whenever a really big act comes to town, there's a lot of preparation.
"The logistics are kind of mind boggling. When you got 50, 60, 70 people traveling and a lot of equipment, it takes a lot of planning," said Tom Moffatt, a local concert promoter.
Moffatt knows the logistics and the expense.
"I give you an example - just to bring a stage in and set it up, costs over $100,000," Moffatt said.
Moffatt brought Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and The Eagles to Aloha Stadium.
"The technical requirements have gone way up that the groups use now, as opposed back when I presented The Eagles for the first time in the stadium in the '80s," Moffatt said. "Things have changed quite a bit."
Moffatt says these days big acts want special stages and big video screens. There's a lot of equipment to ship and that gets expensive.
And that can push ticket prices up.

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 12.19.2005 // Rose Garden, Portland, OR

2005-12-20T00:39:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / In A Little While (snippet)
Beautiful Day / Baby Please Come Home For Christmas (snippet) // Happy Xmas {War Is Over} (snippet) / Many Rivers To Cross (snippet)
Original Of The Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One
Help
Instant Karma - Happy Xmas

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Yahweh
40

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 12.17.2005 // Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT

2005-12-18T13:13:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo - She Loves You
Elevation
I Will Follow
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While
Beautiful Day - Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) - Happy Christmas
Norwegian Wood
Original of the Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One - She's a Mystery To Me

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
All Because of You
Yahweh
40

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 12.15.2005 // Qwest Center, Omaha, NE

2005-12-16T13:11:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo - She Loves You
Elevation
I Will Follow
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While
Beautiful Day - Sgt. Pepper's
Original of the Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One - All I Want Is You

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Crumbs From Your Table
Yahweh
40

few days off.

2005-12-16T00:50:00.000-05:00

sorry for the lack of posts... will update in next day or two..

stay tuned!

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 12.14.2005 // Savvis Center, St. Louis, MO

2005-12-15T13:09:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo - She Loves You
Elevation
Gloria
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While
Beautiful Day - Many Rivers to Cross
Original of the Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Instant Karma
Yahweh
40

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 12.12.2005 // New Charlotte Arena, Charlotte, NC

2005-12-13T13:07:00.000-05:00

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 12.10.2005 // Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH

2005-12-11T13:05:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo - She Loves You
Elevation
Gloria
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While
Beautiful Day
Original of the Species - Norwegian Wood
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One - Help

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Instant Karma
Yahweh
40

U2 to Climb Australia's Harbour Bridge (possible concert?)

2005-12-11T02:14:00.000-05:00

U2 are planning to take time out of the Australian leg of their Vertigo World Tour next year, to climb Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge.The Beautiful Day rockers will don grey jumpsuits to blend in with the famous monument as they climb the bridge with the assistance of harnesses in March.However, instead of the usual tourist trip up and down the steel bridge, the band's management are currently in talks with BridgeClimb owners to spice up the attraction.

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 12.9.2005 // HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY

2005-12-10T13:04:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
Gloria
The Ocean
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While
Beautiful Day
Original of the Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One - Help

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Instant Karma
Yahweh
40

U2 Vertigot Tour Setlist 12.7.2005 // Civic Center, Hartford, CT

2005-12-08T13:01:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
Gloria
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day - Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
Original of the Species - Norwegian Wood
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One
Help

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Instant Karma
Yahweh
40

Join the Vertiblog's "Lennon Campaign" this Friday in Buffalo...

2005-12-06T23:39:00.000-05:00

As you may or may not know, this Friday's concert in Buffalo will mark the 25th(and a day) anniversary of John Lennon's murder. U2 happened to BE in Buffalo the night Lennon was assassinated back in 1980. We would like to invite you to join us in printing out a sign (click here) and bringing it to the Buffalo show and hold it up during the band's performance of 'Original of the Species', 'One', or 'Instant Karma' should the band play it that night. We think there's a good chance they will, and it would be great to see all these Lennon sketches in the crowd. We want to be right up there with our friends in Poland who painted the crowd in a sea of red and white for their show this past summer. If you are a member of any other U2 fan site, please post a link to this blog entry.

So if you can, print out 1 or 100 copies of the image at this link and pass it around at Friday's show to mark a very special night in the landcape of music history.

Version 1: http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y263/vertiblog/lennonbuffalo2.jpg

Version 2: http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y263/vertiblog/lennonbuffalo3.jpg

See you at the show!

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 12.5.05 // TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA

2005-12-06T20:06:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo - Dirty Water - Take Me to the River
Elevation
Gloria
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day
Original of the Species - Norwegian Wood
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One - She's a Mystery To Me

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Crumbs From Your Table
Instant Karma (full band)
Yahweh
40

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 12.4.2005 // TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA

2005-12-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For // In a Little While
Beautiful Day
Original of the Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday // Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You

Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Yahweh
Bad // 40

All Because of You
Fast Cars

Vote for Vertigo Tour as best Tour of the Year!

2005-12-02T13:27:00.000-05:00

Thanks to die-hard Vertiblogger Sean for the following:

As you may or may not know, Vertigo//05 has been nominated
for Tour of the Year in the People's Choice Awards. I
definitely think this is post worthy. Here is the link to
vote:
http://www.pcavote.com/voting/music/m04.shtml

Also,
Thanks so much for the Vertiblog, I've been checking it daily since I found out
about it in the beginning of the year. I got to see U2
twice in Philadelphia this year, one spring show and one fall show.
I've seen them 8 times total since ZooTV, but what I wouldn't give to have seen
a Joshua Tree show.

Sean, send us an email with your address and we'll mail you out a Pro-Shot copy of U2's 10/9/87 show at the Carrier Dome, in Syracuse, NY. Thanks for the tip!

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.28.2005 // Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada

2005-11-28T00:02:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo,
Elevation
The Electric Co.
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day // Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band // Blackbird
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday // Get Up Stand Up
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Love Will Tear Us Apart
All Because of You
Yahweh
40

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.26.2005 // Bell Centre, Montreal, CA

2005-11-26T23:59:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For // In a Little While
Beautiful Day
Original of the Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday // Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World // Instant Karma
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Yahweh
Bad // The Maker // 40

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.25.2005 // Corel Centre, Ottowa, ON

2005-11-25T23:56:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo, Elevation
I Will Follow
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For // In a Little While
Beautiful Day // Many Rivers to Cross
Original of the Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday // Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):
Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Yahweh
40

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.22.2005 // Madison Square Garden, New York City

2005-11-22T20:25:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo, Elevation
The Electric Co. // Send in the Clowns
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For // In a Little While
Beautiful Day
Original of the Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday // Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One
MLK

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Instant Karma

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.21.2005 // Madison Square Garden, New York City

2005-11-22T08:17:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo, Elevation
I Will Follow
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day // Blackbird
Original of the Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday // Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One // Ol' Man River

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
The First Time (acoustic)
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Instant Karma (John Lennon cover w/ Patti Smith)
Bad // People Have the Power

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.19.2005 // Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA

2005-11-19T22:00:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City Of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day
Original Of The Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own / Torna...Sorrento (Snippet)
Love & Peace Or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky // When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again (Snippet) // Hands That Built America (Snippet)
Miss Sarajevo
Pride (in the name of Love)
Where the Streets Have No Name
One // MLK (snippet)

Encore:

Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.18.2005 // Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA

2005-11-19T14:38:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
Beautiful Day
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For // In a Little While (snippet)
Mysterious Ways
Original of the Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday // Rock the Casbah (snippet)
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One // Ol' Man River

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
The Fly
With or Without You
Happy Birthday
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Yahweh
All Because Of You
'40'

Fourth leg tickets to go on sale the first week in December...

2005-11-19T13:18:00.000-05:00

We have a reliable source that tells us that tickets for the March 24 show at Telstra Dome in Australia go on sale December 5.

Edge teams up with Music Rising charity to help New Orleans musicians...

2005-11-18T08:29:00.000-05:00

Edge has teamed up with famed producer Bob Ezrin, Gibson Guitar and Guitar Center retail store to establish Music Rising, a charity that supplies instruments to New Orleans musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Edge's first trip to New Orleans was in 1981 on a tour stop for U2's first album Boy and has become a regular visitor to the city. 'New Orleans is a crucible for great music,' says the Edge. 'The idea that it would be just a place of history for music is awful to me. Coming from Dublin in the Seventies, when music was something you had to search out, I'd never dreamt that somewhere like New Orleans could exist. Music was coming out of the walls. It seemed not just a form of escapism, but like it was weaved into everybody's life.'

Ezrin, who has produced albums for Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, KISS and Jane's Addiction, decided to create the program with the Edge to bring back the music that served as the life-blood for the city for so long. 'We both concluded instantly that the human disaster was indescribable,' Ezrin says, “but what was being wiped out at the same time was the culture of the entire region.'

Music Rising plans to expand to reach local churches, marching bands and schools after every instrument that was lost in the disaster is replaced. Anyone interested in making a donation can do so at musicrising.org.

FILM RUMOR: A Day in the Life of The Edge

2005-11-15T08:04:00.000-05:00

Bono and Edge were spotted yesterday playing an impromptu gig for fans on a Miami Beach.

The pair reportedly rolled up to a life guard tower on South Beach in the city and performed a rendition of 'In A Little While' for a group of fans.

Later in the day they made another surprise appearance outside the American Airlines Arena, where they were later playing a concert, and performed a version of 'Streets'. The surprise performances were being filmed and could be part of a rumoured upcoming film entitled 'A Day In The Life Of The Edge'.

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.14.2005 // American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida

2005-11-15T00:27:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
The Electric Co.
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day - Blackbird
Original of the Species
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One - Ol' Man River

Encore(s):

Until the End of the World
The Fly
With or Without You
All Because Of You
Walk On
Bad

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.13.2005 // American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL

2005-11-14T00:29:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo, Elevation
Mysterious Ways
Until the End of the World
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While
Beautiful Day - Here Comes the Sun
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
With or Without You
All Because of You
Yahweh
Happy Birthday
40

Institute to perform as opening act for December dates...

2005-11-13T12:26:00.000-05:00

Institute will be opening for the December shows in Boston, Hartford, Buffalo, Cleveland and Charlotte. This was confirmed by U2 staff today.

200+ Screenshots from the Chicago DVD

2005-11-11T07:13:00.000-05:00

Visit U2tours.de for a preview of the DVD via their gallery of over 200 screenshots.

You can visit them from here: http://www.u2tour.de/specials/dvd_vertigo_tour_review_EN.php#screenshots

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.9.2005 // Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA

2005-11-09T08:15:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
Gloria
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For,
Beautiful Day - Many Rivers to Cross,
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):

The First Time (acoustic)
Stuck In a Moment
With or Without You
All Because of Yo
Fast Cars
Bad - People Have the Power

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.8.2005 // Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA

2005-11-08T08:14:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
Mysterious Ways
Until the End of the World
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One - One Tree Hill

Encore(s):

Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You
All Because of You
Yahweh
40

A First Look at the Vertigo Tour DVD Live in Chicago...

2005-11-06T11:56:00.000-05:00

U2tours.de has a review up of the new U2 Chicago DVD... screenshots look pretty good!

Check out their site!

THE PACKAGING

The standard DVD version comes with a "super jewel box", which is similar to a CD jewel case but in DVD format. The "Deluxe Edition" will probably come with the usual digipack-cover which we are familiar with from the Boston and Slane Castle DVD.The booklet contains 14 pages and is provided with live pictures of the band. The first two pages cover all Vertigo tour logos like a wallpaper: From the red "V" up to the atomic bomb which we all know from the merchandising items of the tour, it's all there. Page by page you will find words which, when put together, contain the message: "Don't become a monster in order to defeat a monster". The style of the booklet (with hand-drawn circles) and the cover paintings are similar to the "Deluxe Edition" of 'How to dismantle an atomic bomb'. Unfortunately the booklet does not live up to expectations and is scanty, containing 5 pictures and 10 words as well as some credits. We are curious to see whether the "Deluxe Edition" booklet provides the same. If so, that would be very dissapointing.

THE CONTENT

The DVD is a mix of the Chicago concerts (dating 9th and 10th of May) from the Vertigo tour. The footage used comes primary from the 10th of May (Bono's birthday), though there are some exceptions. The setlists of those two nights are almost identical with only the final song being different ('40' on the 9th and 'Vertigo' on the 10th; '40' was used for the DVD). The recording is almost complete with only 'Party Girl' missing on the DVD, which was played on both nights. The concert starts off with a very short 'Wake up' from Arcade Fire and segues into 'Everyone', which was used as the 1st leg intro. On the bright side the DVD doesn't contain any copyright statements so you are able to start right away with the concert when put it in a DVD player. Needless to say the DVD menu contains options for sound settings as well as a track selection. The duration of the DVD is 2 hours 19 minutes, which is an unusually long for U2 standards.

THE CONCERT

U2 is playing in one of their favorite towns and you can tell. The four boys from Ireland seem very relaxed and are on fire performance wise. Especially Bono is full of energy, something one or the other might have missed during the EU concerts. There's no doubt that the B-Man pulls off a great show on his birthday, interacting and joking often with the crowd. Adam is full of smiles (no suprises there) but even Larry is caught with a smirk here and there. The crowd seems to be into this one as well: Driven by the birthday boy the fans pull off a far better performance than one might be used to from the American crowd. The concert seems unedited: Bono's (long) speeches are included, as are most of the snippets ('Wake up', 'Bullet with butterfly wings', 'No regrets', and 'When Johnny comes marching home')! Only downer: There's no 'Blackbird' at the end of 'Beautiful day' and 'I can see for miles' during 'The Electric Co.'. Both weren't snippeted on the 10th, which is probably the reason they're missing on the DVD. No doubt that U2's own songs are on this one though: 'Stories for boys', 'Cry' and the small 'Please' snippet from 'Bullet the blue sky' are all included. Something that is far more noticeable than on previous U2 Live-recordings is that flaws from the band aren't edited out (Choosing to film both nights was not for nothing). Therefore you'll hear Edge making mistakes at times ('Miracle Drug' solo, start of '40', and 'Mysterious Ways' solo) and Bono mixing up some lyrics ('Love and Peace or Else' and 'Yahweh'), which makes the whole thing more likable and authentic. That's probably what the people in charge were thinking and, for instance, decided to go with an 'Elevation' version on the DVD where Bono is clearly struggling with a "frog in the throat". All in all the right decision not to make the convulsive attempt to make a perfect live recording (e.g. Popmart, where some flaws where edited). Mistakes are part of it - keep it that way.

THE PICTURE

Short summary: It is a typical Hamish Hamilton production. Whether that's a good or a bad thing is naturally a matter of opinion. Once again there are many fast cuts mixed with lots of spontaneous zooming in. Hamilton also suprises with some new camera angles, e.g. one camera which provides a bird's eye view over the main stage. This produces some nice close-ups on Edge's equipment and foot pedals. Larry (more precisely: Larry's cymbals) also gets lots of attention from the camera while shots of the whole main stage remain a rarity. People who didn't like the Boston DVD because of its stage-direction aren't gonna be great fans of this one neither, there are plenty of (often blurry) close-ups from hands, guitars and the drums. Some of the shots were made on same height as the GA fans, which leads to many waving hands (including countless mobile telephones) being shown in the foreground. Some (light)-effects, which should add a certain creativity to the shooting, are rather disturbing at some points. Besides all this it has to be said that the recording seems far more lively this time compared to Hamiltons Boston production. Some dodgy cuts are again subject to criticism:- There is almost no pause between 'Vertigo' and 'Elevation', with only 2 seconds elapsing between those tracks. You see Edge changing his guitar in one scene while the Intro-riff is already starting; next thing you know Edge is standing in front of the microphone. - During 'Elevation' you see (at least once clearly!) that picture and sound don't match! Min:sec 13:52 - 13:54 - You hear Bono singing the 'Elevation' intro, but not so in the cut.

THE SOUND

The DVD is again released in 3 different sound formats: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1. A detailled report to the sound quality will be available very soon.

THE EXTRAS

Unfortunately the double DVD isn't available yet. We will report about the extras as soon as we get it. You can see some screenshots of the menus. They are all animated and there is some sound in the background.

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.5.2005 // MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, NV

2005-11-06T11:08:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo, Elevation
Mysterious Ways
Until the End of the World
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day - All These Things That I've Done
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):

Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You
Happy Birthday (to long time tour manager Dennis Sheehan)
All Because of You
In a Little While (sung by Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers)
Bad

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.4.2005 // MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, NV

2005-11-05T11:19:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo, Elevation
The Electric Co. - Send in the Clowns
The Ocean
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One - Can't Help Falling In Love

Encore(s):

Walk On (acoustic)
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
With or Without You
All Because of You
Yahweh
40

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.02.2005 // Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

2005-11-03T08:17:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day - Many Rivers to Cross
Miracle Drug,
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One - MLK

Encore(s):
Walk On (acoustic)
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
With or Without You
All Because of You
Bad

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 11.1.2005 // Staples Center, Las Angeles, CA

2005-11-02T08:19:00.000-05:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo, Elevation
The Electric Co. - Send in the Clowns
The Ocean
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One - Ol' Man River

Encore(s):

The First Time (acoustic)
Stuck In a Moment
With or Without You
Happy Birthday
All Because of You
Out of Control
Fast Cars
Yahweh
40

Interference.com hosting Vegas Vertigo Party...

2005-10-30T22:51:00.000-05:00

Interference.com will be hosting a Vegas Vertigo party prior to the Las Vegas Vertigo shows. All proceeds from the party will benefit the African Wellness Fund. Save the date and sign up today! It's only 5 bucks and it's for a good cause.

The Ethereal Connection re-launches website...

2005-10-27T21:18:00.000-04:00

We know, we know.. you didn't know it was gone! But seriously, The Ethereal Connection is a fascinating site that takes a look at the parallels between U2 and the Beatles. We happened to stumble across the site and thought that you might find it interesting as well. The Ethereal Connection dissects the histories of both bands and compares them album by album. Was the cover of 'Pop' deliberately setup similarly to 'Let it Be'? The similarities (if you want to see them) are uncanny. We all know that the Beatles have inspired many bands. But have U2 consciously or subconsciously imitated the Fab Four's 'formula'? We'll let you decide.

A couple of excerpts from the site:

The Ethereal Connection is a synthesis of U2 and The Beatles. It derives from an experience that took place in 1994 when my friend Juan Raydan and myself, sat down to relate to each other the histories of both our favorite bands, his The Beatles, mine U2. Juan was born in the early fifties and I was born in the early seventies, so both of us became die-hard teenager fans during the blooming years of The Beatles and U2. We had a heartfelt meeting with the intention of transmitting to each other the experience of our two different generations. We did it by chronologically arranging the album covers of both bands passing one by one while the stories of each album were told; first Juan with The Beatles, and second me with U2. As it soon turned out, it seemed that the generations were not so different after all. When he started talking about Sergeant Pepper I was impressed. He was describing the same experience I had with Achtung Baby. The ironic characters, the color explosion, the sonic surprise.

----

The element that links How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb with Let It Be is the fact that both are "returning home" albums. Writer Devin McKinney comments in his book Magic Circles: "They spent all of January rehearsing and recording songs for their next album, an album advertised with the tagline -The Beatles as Nature Intended- Get Back was its symbolic title: the songs would be rock n' roll primitive, free of overdubs and post psychedelic fairy dust…And basic meant basic. Even the White Album songs hadn't gotten far enough" . In the same manner, with All That You Can't Leave Behind U2 went back to basics, but with How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb they went even further into their origins.
----

And the connection between these two albums goes deeper having to do with the Atomic Bomb and all that its creation implies. In 1992, U2 joined Greenpeace in the known assault on The Sellafield Nuclear Plant, to denounce radioactive contamination and plans for the construction of a new nuclear facility. To ask for "HELP" concerning this matter they emulated The Beatles HELP cover. This strengthens the connection between these two albums because of the fact that "The Unforgettable Fire" is strongly linked with the nuclear theme: "The Unforgettable Fire" was the title of a drawings exhibition by survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bombings. After attending it U2 was greatly affected and decided to use that title to name the new album (and song).

Intrigued? We thought so. Take a few minutes by yourself and take a journey through The Ethereal Connection (cue Twilight Zone music)...

The Rolling Stone Interview: Bono

2005-10-20T00:48:00.000-04:00

A shot of the new Rolling Stones magazine featuring, well, errr... you get the picture...

thanks to Lila64 for the link!

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 10.19.2005 // MCI Center, Washington, DC USA

2005-10-20T00:12:00.000-04:00

"Did you come here to play Jesus?..."

Well, Gorman did! With fellow U2 fan, Ramblin' Rose, at tonight's DC show with a cell phone handy, Gorman was able to provide a live feed of the show to a capacity crowd of 64 lucky people over at Interference.com. Ahhh... the miracles of technology!

If you didn't catch the feed, here's tonight's setlist, as reported by fellow Interferencer... Lila64...

Main Set:

City Of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
Electric Co. / Send In The Clowns Snippet / See Me Feel Me...(Snippet)
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / In A Little While (Snippet)
Beautiful Day / Many Rivers To Cross (Snippet)
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own / Torna A Surriento (Snippet)
Love & Peace Or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday / Father Abraham (Snippet)
Bullet The Blue Sky / Hands That Built America (Snippet) / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (Snippet)
Miss Sarajevo
HUMAN RIGHTS VIDEO
Pride (In The Name Of )
Where The Streets Have No Name
One / Old Man River (Snippet)

Encore(s):

First Time
Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of
With Or Without You
All Because Of You
Yahweh
40

Bono and GWB have lunch at the White House Ellipse Oval Office...

2005-10-19T17:47:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON - In town for a concert, U2 rock star Bono was invited to lunch Wednesday with the president. White House president secretary Scott McClellan said the meeting at the executive residence would be a follow-up on talks he had with President Bush in July at the G-8 summit in Scotland.
"They had a very good discussion about some of our common priorities," McClellan said. "Both share a deep commitment to combating AIDS, preventing malaria and expanding trade to lift people out of poverty."McClellan said Bono also planned to meet with National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley later in the day, before U2's concert at the MCI Center.
The spokesman laughingly told reporters that Bush was not planning to attend the concert.

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 10.17.2005 // Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA

2005-10-18T00:16:00.000-04:00

Main Set:

City Of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
The Electric Co. / Bullet With Butterfly Wings (snippet)
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day / Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (snippet) / Blackbird (snippet)
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love And Peace Or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky / The Hands That Built America (snippet) / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)
Miss Sarajevo
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Where The Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):

Walk On
Fast Cars
People Get Ready (with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa)
With Or Without You

All Because Of You
40

Image of DVD cover hits the net...

2005-10-12T07:18:00.000-04:00

Here is an image of the cover of the Live from Chicago DVD to be released on Nov. 15.

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 10.10.2005 // Madison Square Garden, New York City

2005-10-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
The Electric Co. // In A Little While (snippet)
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Happy Birthday to Luciano Pavaratti
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One - Ol' Man River

Encore(s):

Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You
All Because of You
Yahweh
Bad
40

The Vertiblog goes stealth at MSG today...

2005-10-09T21:44:00.000-04:00

Today we took a tour of MSG and thought you might be interested in some of the pictures we took. This is a view from one of the luxury suites...

The highlight of the tour was getting to go backstage and into the locker room areas. As we entered the hallway we immediately knew we might see some interesting things...

About halfway down the hallway there was a hallway blocked by a black curtain, but the signs gave away what was behind it...

This is what was behind the black curtain. We didn't know that U2 had a 'quiet room'.. must be a place for pre-show relaxation. We also didn't see a menu for the Band Dining Area that you can see in the foreground.

This was on the wall on the opposite side of the black curtain, detailing the security passes and where you could go with each pass (we blurred out the details for, well, security purposes...)

Opposite the black curtain (walking away from band dining area) there was a hallway with more U2 personnel. Paul McGuinness, band manager, and Arthur Fogel, president of Clear Channel Touring both had dressing rooms and offices down this hallway.

Here is Paul McGuinness' dressing room.

And this is the hallway leading out to the Garden floor.

And this is the hallway leading out to the Garden floor and to the ellipse! These are the only pictures we could get away with taking without being too obvious... hope you enjoyed them!

MSG TShirt

2005-10-08T11:39:00.000-04:00

MSG T Shirt

2005-10-08T11:36:00.000-04:00

MSG TShirt - Front

2005-10-07T22:51:00.000-04:00

This message was sent using PIX-FLIX Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!
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2005-10-07T22:38:00.000-04:00

2005-10-07T22:18:00.000-04:00

2005-10-07T22:13:00.000-04:00

2005-10-07T22:07:00.000-04:00

2005-10-07T20:19:00.000-04:00

In the year two thousand.... in the year two thousAAAAND...

2005-10-07T06:50:00.000-04:00

Edge donned the stage props for Conan O'Brien's infamous 'In the Year 2000' skit...

Testing Uno, Dos, Tres, Catorce...

2005-10-06T23:04:00.000-04:00

Vertiblog will be Audioblogging from MSG on 10/7 and 10/8...

2005-10-06T22:33:00.000-04:00

We're all set up and should be able to post some sounds from MSG as it happens. Stay tuned!

I'll be making a test post just to make sure everything's operational...

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 10.4.2005 // TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA

2005-10-04T21:37:00.000-04:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
Electric Co. // Send in the Clowns (snippet)
The Ocean
Crumbs from Your Table
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own // Black Hills of Dakota (snippet)
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky // Please (snippet) // Hands that Built America (snippet) // When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)
Miss Sarajevo
Human Rights Thingy
Pride (in the name of love)
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore:

The First Time
Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
With Or Without You
All Because of You
'40'

U2 Advertised as Special Guest on Conan O'Brien...

2005-10-03T23:20:00.000-04:00

U2 has been seen in television advertisements as being a special guest on this Thursday's (10/6) Conan O'Brien Show.

UPDATE:

NEW YORK (AP) - In his 12 years in charge of booking musical guests on Conan O'Brien's "Late Night," Jim Pitt always listed U2 and Johnny Cash as the dream artists he'd tried but never succeeded in getting.He lost his chance with the late Cash, but the U2 dream is coming true Thursday in a major way.O'Brien will turn over his entire show to the band, which is in New York for seven sold-out engagements at Madison Square Garden."We were able to offer them something to feel enough like an event for them to do the show," Pitt said. "It's basically 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien,' the U2 edition."The NBC show has never before devoted itself entirely to a musical guest, although it gave major time a few years back to a holiday appearance by bandleader Max Weinberg's other employer, Bruce Springsteen.O'Brien's a big U2 fan, and made a personal connection by talking at length with Bono during breaks in rehearsals for the band's "Saturday Night Live" appearance last season, Pitt said.It may be a nervous time for Bono, who is nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work in trying to ease Third World poverty. People who watch the Nobel closely list the lead singer as one of the favorites. The winner is expected to be named Friday.The band is expected to perform three songs and be interviewed by O'Brien.Pitt is not pushing for any material in particular."When U2 decides they want to come on the show for an hour, you don't get too picky about what they play," he said.

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 10.3.2005 // TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA

2005-10-03T21:01:00.001-04:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation // Bullet with Butterfly Wings (snippet)
Electric Co.
The Ocean
Beautiful Day // So Many Rivers to Cross (snippet)
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own // Black Hills of Dakota (snippet)
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky // Hands That Built America (snippet) // When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)
Miss Sarajevo
(Human Rights Thingy)
Pride (in the name of Love)
Where the Streets Have No Name
One // MLK (snippet)

Encore:

The First Time
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
With or Without You

All Because of You
Yahweh
'40'

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 9.25.2005 // Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA

2005-09-25T15:17:00.000-04:00

Main Set:

City Of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
The Electric Co. / Send In The Clowns (snippet)
The Ocean
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / In A Little While (snippet)
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky / The Hands That Built America (snippet) / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)
Miss Sarajevo
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Where The Streets Have No Name
One / Ol' Man River (snippet)

Encore:

The First Time
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
With Or Without You

All Because of You
Yahweh
'40'

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 9.23.2005 // Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

2005-09-23T22:05:00.000-04:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
Electric Co.
The Ocean
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Beautiful Day // Many Rivers to Cross (snippet
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own // Black Hills of Dakota (snippet)
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride (in the name of love)
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore:

The First Time
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
With or Without You

All Because of You
Crumbs From Your Table
Yahweh
Vertigo x2

U2 Live in Chicago will Air on Channel 4 in UK in November...

2005-09-23T19:29:00.000-04:00

UK indie 3DD Entertainment has once again been appointed as the international distributor for global rock combo U2's latest world tour, and has already inked a deal with a UK broadcaster.

UK terrestrial Channel 4 will air Vertigo 2005 – U2 Live from Chicago in November. The high-definition concert was shot on the first leg of the Irish band’s tour earlier this year and is directed by Hamish Hamilton."We look forward to presenting this to buyers during Mipcom and closing further deals," commented Lara von Ahlefeldlt, director of programme development at 3DD.

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 9.21.2005 // United Center, Chicago, IL, USA

2005-09-21T23:54:00.000-04:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
The Electric Co.
The Ocean
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Yahweh
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):

Bad - The First Time
Original of the Species
With or Without You - Love Will Tear Us Apart
Fast Cars
All Because of You
40

Daniel Lanois will be in NYC during U2's MSG run...

2005-09-21T22:55:00.000-04:00

Will Daniel Lanois make another appearance on stage with U2 at MSG in NYC? Well, he'll be in the neighborhood... You may recall that Daniel Lanois, long time friend and collaborator with the band, appeared on stage for 3 out of the 4 Toronto shows... His tour schedule shows that he'll be in Philly on the 8th.. so maybe he'll make an appearance at the 10/7 show...

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 9.20.2005 // United Center, Chicago, IL, USA

2005-09-20T22:59:00.000-04:00

Main Set:

City Of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
Electric Co. // See Me, Feel Me (snippet)
The Ocean
Walk On (Acoustic)
Beautiful Day // Sgt. Pepper (Snippet) // Many Rivers To Cross (snippet)
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own // Black Hills of Dakota (snippet)
Yahweh
Love & Peace Or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky // Hands That Built America // When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Miss Sarajevo
Human Rights Thingy
Pride (in the name of love...)
Where The Streets Have No Name
One

Encoore(s):

Discotheque
The Fly
With or Without You
All Because of You
The First Time**
Bad // 40

**first time this song has ever been played in full live

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 9.17.2005 // Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2005-09-18T23:22:00.000-04:00

Main Set:

City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo // Rockaway Beach
Elevation
The Electric Co.
The Ocean
Beautiful Day // Sgt. Pepper's
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own // Dirty Old Town
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One // Ol' Man River

Encore(s):

Discotheque
The Fly
With or Without You
All Because of You
Fast Cars
Yahweh
40

Saturday (Day 4) Arrival and Departure Shots...

2005-09-18T22:22:00.000-04:00

Here's the crowd waiting for the band to get to the arena on the 17th... we were among the first group of 30 people around 1:30. By 2:30 the crowd was huge...

Bono was mobbed at the entrance and security escorted his vehicle down the ramp. We were hoping he'd come out, but there were just too many people. Saturday afternoon.

After taking in the sights around the city, and catching a couple films at the film festival, we went back to the arena to see if we'd have a better shot at an autograph. A lot less people now, maybe about 40 were waiting there. Here's a shot of the exit ramp. You can see the police escort way at the bottom.

Here they come!

And there they go... No dice. They zoomed right by us, with police escort on their way to the airport... We tried!

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist Photo Essay 9.16.2005 // Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2005-09-18T21:27:00.000-04:00

Like I mentioned in the post from the car on Friday, the first sign that this could be a special day was the random radio scan falling on a station called 'The Edge'... interesting enough to take a picture to start off our Toronto journey...

It poured all the way to Toronto on Friday. Not knowing what the line situation was for the GA ticketholders, this was not a pleasant sight...

Got a room with a view at the Sheraton Center a couple blocks from the ACC...

Got in line around 5:30pm and the regular GA line was around the corner. A few girls were making a sign in preparation for the show. We decided to get in the U2.com line which was about a third the length of the regular GA line. We heard rumors that because the regular GA line had two turnstiles it moved faster as opposed to the U2.com line only having one turnstile. We took our chances...

We got in! Our decision ultimately paid off! While the general GA line did move slightly faster, the U2.com line was still short enough that we got in with the first group of about 300 people. Got to the scanning tables and actually got into the ellipse on the first shot! The U2 gods were taking care of us that night! Maybe they like the Vertiblog...

Reality took awhile to set in. When I first looked back at the empty arena, and we were on the rail literally feet from the main mic, it finally sunk in that we were front row for U2. The odds of just getting a GA ticket were high, but to be in the ellipse was just something we never counted on. What a kick ass surprise.

After Dashboard Confessional (who were great, btw...), the stage is set up for U2.

Edge's guitar tech (Dallas) was meticulous in setting up Edge's rig. From lighting positions, to adequate foot sweep over the pedals, it was interesting to see the pre-show tweaks taking place up close and personal...

City of Blinding Lights surprised us as the opener as it's been pretty much Vertigo out of the gate for the past several shows. We did see them setting up the keyboard initially, so that should have given it away. We were still a little bit in awe at this point at our good fortune. Bono immediately grabbed a camera and started snapping a few pics of himself...

These shots are deceiving at how close we actually were.

Bono wrapping up COBL... he was pumped and the arena was deafening. Loudest crowd I've ever heard at a U2 show...

Remember our interview with Barco, the LED lighting company? It was nice to see the MiSphere's up close right out of the gate... They were VERY cool and even up close they were visually effective. We'd heard people saying that if you were up close you'd miss out on the light show. We found that not to be the case...

Adam in the groove for 'Vertigo'. It was great being toward Adam's side. Some fans had made some sort of sign for him and he seemed to get a kick out of it. Lots of smiles from the bass man.

Bono doing some Woo-Hoos into Elevation...

Bono really was feeling the energy from the bomb shelter.

Edge and Bono make their first trek out onto the ellipse... We're used to being in the nosebleeds so this was a nice change in perspective...

Edge giving the fans behind the stage some attention...

Bono during 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'...

Edge ripping it up during 'Sunday..'

Bono finding his way to the mic with his 'Coexist' bandana covering his eyes...

Streets!

Bono changed the words to 'I want to take shelter from the Hurricane...' in reference to Hurricane Katrina

One...

...with Daniel Lanois, co-producer of 'The Unforgettable Fire' and 'The Joshua Tree' as well as a collaborator on several other U2 projects over the years...

Lian Lunson (producer of 'Leonard Cohen I'm Your Man' premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival) was on stage to film 'All Because of You' and the 2nd ever performance of 'Fast Cars'... who knows, maybe we'll be on the dvd as they panned the cameras several times across the front row...

Bono really kicked things up a notch during the 'Fast Cars' filming...

More 'Fast Cars' shots...

Bono hamming it up as the song closes... one lucky fan got the tamborine he threw into the crowd.

Local Toronto band 'Menew' was brought up on stage to play 'Out of Control'. They were actually pretty good... Bono and Larry could be seen behind the drum kit nodding their heads showing their approval.

These guys were having a blast...

Crowd was going nuts...

Edge playing Adam's bass during '40'.

My favorite shot... Bono shining the spot on the crowd all around the arena.

Well that's it. We hope this makes up for the lack of live updates on Friday night. It turns out Verizon Wireless does not allow emailing pics from the Rogers Wireless network...

We Apologize for the Technical Difficulties with Our Toronto Broadcast...

2005-09-18T19:33:00.000-04:00

Well, as you can see from the post below, we were able to get our first pic uploaded from the road. I thought it was interesting that a station called 'The Edge' appeared the upper right hand corner of the radio, little did we know that was to be harbinger for things to come for an amazing day in Toronto... I'm working on a little photo essay that I'll post later this evening, but I just wanted to extend any apologies to those who may have camped out here on Friday night. WE TRIED! Trust me... and I was SO upset that I couldn't send pics from our spot on the floor... but alas, we're back and you can enjoy a few shots from where we wound up on the floor.... STAY TUNED!

2005-09-16T09:03:00.000-04:00

We'll be at a place called TorontVertigo...

2005-09-16T05:00:00.000-04:00

We're on our way! Any pics from here on will be from the road... See you on the other side!

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 9.14.2005 // Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2005-09-15T07:29:00.000-04:00

Rumors of Discotheque being played were proven to be just that... rumors. Maybe we'll get lucky and hear it tomorrow night!

Main Set:

Vertigo
The Electric Co.
Elevation
Beautiful Day
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
City of Blinding Lights
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):

The Fly
With or Without You
All Because of You
Yahweh
Bad

So You Wanna Buy A Guitar...

2005-09-13T01:04:00.000-04:00

U2 autographed & donated this beautiful emerald green Gretsch guitar to The Peace Museum in Chicago to assist in fundraising efforts. The Peace Museum has a long-standing relationship with U2. In 1983, the Irish rock musicians solidified their reputation as a socially conscious band with their album entitled War. The band's next breakthrough album, the Unforgettable Fire, was inspired by a visit to The Peace Museum's exhibition of the same name that focused on the aftermath of nuclear bombings. This guitar is widely loved by U2 fans around the world!

eBay link...

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 9.12.2005 // Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2005-09-12T22:55:00.000-04:00

Well, Fast Cars has made its debut on the 3nd leg of the Vertigo tour as they come back to North America. Snippets to follow.

Main Set

Vertigo
I Will Follow
Electric Co.
Elevation
Beautiful Day
In A Little While
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
City of Blinding Lights
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride (In the Name of Love...)
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):

Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You
All Because of You
Fast Cars*
Yahweh
40

*first time played live

Information regarding GA policy at Toronto's ACC...

2005-09-12T13:50:00.000-04:00

We emailed the ACC Security head to ask what policies were in place for the GA ticket holders during this leg's shows... This is what they had to say:

While some of the specifics of the GA policy are still to be finalized by the tour management, and is thus subject to change, the general admission line for all 4 U2 shows will form on the sidewalk on Bay St (east side of the building) starting at Gate 2 on the morning of the show. The line for general admission will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. No placeholder wristbands will be issued to allow ticketholders to leave for the day and return prior to the show, and ticketholders will not be able to hold places in line for ticketholders arriving later. Wristbands will be given out once the ticketholder enters the building - these wristbands are merely identifiers to clearly show which fans are permitted in the GA area. Unfortunately, information regarding how access to the inner circle of the stage will be conducted, has yet to be communicated to us by the tour management.

A Beautiful Day in Toronto!

2005-09-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

Let Leg 3 begin!

Bono at TIFF!

2005-09-11T12:02:00.000-04:00

Bono signs autographs as he made a surprise red carpet appearance for the screening of Liam Neeson's new film 'Breakfast on Pluto' at the Toronto International Film Festival.

REUTERS/J.P. Moczulski

U2 Voted 'Best Selling Rock Artist' at the World Music Awards.

2005-09-04T20:37:00.000-04:00

The band were named 'Best Selling Rock Artist' at the World Music Awards in Hollywood on Wednesday night.

At the same ceremony, The Killers, who recently supported U2 on some of their European stadium dates, were named Best New Group. U2, who have been on a break before the third leg of Vertigo '05 kicks off in less than a fortnight, were not at the ceremony. Manager Paul McGuinness has said that sales of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, which went to No.1 in 32 countries, indicate it could eventually become the band's best-selling record. The World Music Awards are based on record sales, certified by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

The WMA's will be televised on ABC September 13th from 9-11.

Love and Peace or Else Video...

2005-09-04T13:19:00.000-04:00

Someone in our Voxbox posted a link to an 'unofficial' LAPOE video that can be viewed here:
http://www.makemagic.com/blog/2005/08/love-and-peace-or-else-u2.htm

Pretty impressive!

Vertiblog will be in Toronto in 2 weeks!

2005-09-04T12:56:00.000-04:00

Well, it's been a long time coming.... the 3rd leg.

We're less than two weeks away from the Toronto shows and have everything all set to post some pictures live from the show on Friday, 9/16. So if you're looking for a place to get a stream of pics from the show.. stay tuned to the Vertiblog!

A Unique Perspective from New Orleans...

2005-09-04T12:55:00.000-04:00

This blog is getting a lot of press: http://www.livejournal.com/users/interdictor/

There is a group of NOC (Network Operations Center) technicians keeping their network up in the middle of the chaos created by Hurricane Katrina. It is a pretty interesting read and gives a different perspective from what most Americans are seeing on the news...

Bring Your Desire Signs to the Fall Leg Shows!

2005-09-03T12:30:00.000-04:00

We hope that U2 plays 'Desire' on the fall leg in honor of the great city of New Orleans. This is a picture of the Desire Oyster Bar at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in the French Quarter of the Big Easy.

All it takes to be a hero is to do the right thing...

2005-08-31T19:38:00.000-04:00

As you may recall, we were in New Orleans just 12 weeks ago. Little did we know that New Orleans' days were numbered. Below are some of the sights from our trip. We can only hope that future generations will once again be able to enjoy what was a fantastic city.

This is the bridge that goes over Lake Pontchartrain. This bridge was washed away in various places and alone will be a great challenge to rebuild.

Above is the world famous Superdome where U2 performed at the Superbowl a couple of years ago. It will be a great day when U2 takes the stage there once again...

Above is the St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest Cathedral in the United States. It was built in 1720.

Here's an inside shot of the Cathedral. It is amazing, and hopefully wasn't terribly damaged.

Above is a night shot along the banks of the Mississippi River.

A blue colored grave at one of the many cemeteries in and around New Orleans. Graves are above ground in New Orleans.

A shot of one of the scenic streets in New Orleans' French Quarter.

Another shot down one of New Orleans' many scenic streets.

The St. Charles Streetcar (do not call it a trolley!). According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, it is the oldest continuously operating street railway system in the world.

A couple of New Orleans' street performers. Note: her eyes are closed.

If you think the pictures are interesting, we ask that you do what you can to ensure that New Orleans is able to rebuild. Remember, all it takes to be a hero is to do the right thing. Below are some links that the Vertiblog endorses where you can make a charitable donation that will make a difference.

Thanks.

Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund
FEMA Advisory and contact list
Craigs List New Orleans Family Finder
Report Katrina related spam/scam to The FTC
Mennonite Disaster Service Home Rebuilding Effort
Salvation Army Donation Link

U2, New Orleans Needs Your Love...

2005-08-31T19:09:00.000-04:00

If anyone in the U2 camp reads this, please consider performing to benefit those suffering from the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.

MTV Vertigo Music Awards...

2005-08-28T19:56:00.000-04:00

U2 is nominated in five categories for this year's MTV Video Music Awards being held tonight in Miami.

The categories in which the are nominated are:

Best group video
Breakthrough video
Best direction in a video (artist, director)
Best special effects in a video (artist, special effects company)
Best cinematography in a video (artist and cinematographer)

Keane for U2

2005-08-27T19:50:00.000-04:00

Keane to open for U2 at MSG...

they're also on SNL tonight on NBC...

Dasboard Confessional Going on tour with U2!

2005-08-27T19:46:00.000-04:00

From the Dashboard Confessional site: We will be with or without you from September 12th to September 25th. Many thanks to U2 for the opportunity!

Dates will cover the first eight shows of the 3rd leg, in Toronto, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee.

Thrills to be had in Toronto...

2005-08-26T20:38:00.000-04:00

The Thrills are slated to open the first few shows of the 3rd leg of the Vertigo Tour...

We'll be there to document the whole thing, so stay tuned!

Vitamin Records to Release Piano Tribute Disc to U2...

2005-08-23T23:11:00.000-04:00

Desire: Piano Tribute To U2

Catalog #: VIT-8937

Release Date: 8/2/2005

Details:
U2 is a state of being. A life force. And a stadium-jolting, ass kicking rock n� roll band. Bono�s towering vocals, The Edge�s cascading guitar-scapes and the rhythm section of Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. brought passion and integrity to a rock world hungry for more than plastic, packaged pop stars. Hyper-creative and forever questing, U2 has led us on an exhilarating voyage of discovery, from post-punk to anthem rock, from American roots music to dance club electronica. The Piano Tribute to U2 is music of majestic simplicity. No digital frills or diamond-naveled MTV babes (sigh). Just the power and emotion of U2, flowing from the keyboard in cool, clean cadences. As these piano covers prove, behind the activist swagger and fashion emergency sunglasses, Bono and company are simply great songwriters. Their hits are a perfect balance of epic and personal and their hooks, once heard, seem to code directly into our rock DNA. The Piano Tribute to U2 is an intimate, instrumental portrait of a band that belongs to the world.

Artists:
U2

Songs:
1 Sunday, Bloody Sunday
2 New Years Day
3 Pride, (In The Name of Love)
4 Where The Streets have No Name
5 I Still Haven�t Found What I�m Looking For
6 With or Without You
7 Red Hill Mining Town
8 All I Want Is You
9 One
10 Desire
11 Beautiful Day

Available here.

2005-08-21T11:49:00.000-04:00

Another shot of the Stones' stage...

OT: Stones to Rock Boston... A Different Kind of Monster at Fenway

2005-08-20T11:18:00.000-04:00

Rolling Stones Stage pics @ Fenway Park via www.iorr.com...

U2, me too?

2005-08-19T23:08:00.000-04:00

By Pico Iyer
Published: August 19 2005 10:26 Last updated: August 19 2005 10:26

The night is very dark in Dharamsala, the small hill station in northern India where the Dalai Lama lives, and the shops are so few that after 9pm you can see more stars than lights. Internet connections are always a gamble here, not least because the phones tend to go down as soon as the electricity comes back on, and it's not often I can access AOL in less than two hours flat (in the land that produces many of the world's greatest software engineers).

Yet at 11.17pm, a figure is hunched over two computers (the only two) in the Tibetan government-in-exile's guesthouse. Tickets for a U2 concert in Los Angeles seven months later are about to go on sale (at 10am in California), and this fool is trying to get online the moment they become available at www.ticketmaster.com. He clicks away frantically while a night-watchman shoots him baleful glances and wild dogs bark across the hills.

They're a global band, I tell myself - for the fool is me - not sure I can persuade even my only listener of the virtue of such madness. U2 speaks for some of the same possibilities of the one-world order offered by the Dalai Lama across the way. I will fly from Japan to Los Angeles on November 1: how better to celebrate the convulsions of a 10-hour flight backwards across the date line than by jumping into a rental car and driving to a local basketball arena to see Bono sing 'City of Blinding Lights'? If the elevation and intensity of the band talking about African debt statistics doesn't transport me, the jet-lag surely will.

I go online 40 minutes in advance, to be safe, and play my fingers lightly over the mouse, as Vladimir Horowitz on his keys. I check the clocks on the screen, the clock on the wall, the watch and the alarm clock I've brought from my room. At 11.26pm, I slip into the site early - and there, miraculously, appears a box inviting me to the best seats the Staples Centre has on offer.
'Do you want these now?' it asks me.
'Yes,' I click. 'Fill out the boxes in the next three minutes,' it adds. I do as required. 'Password?' it asks.
I don't have a password to a website I've never used before. My bank password, my credit-card password? I type them all in.
'Sorry,' says the message. 'Your time has elapsed.'
On the second screen, some of the almost-best tickets the Staples Centre has on offer are suddenly available. I fill out the boxes in the requisite three minutes and then see, 'Password?'
I try again. The one password I use for everything. 'Sorry, your three minutes have elapsed.'
Then, taking pity on me: 'Would you like to be reminded of your password?' Of course I would. 'Yes!'
It is e-mailed to my AOL account, though of course the one machine that occasionally accesses AOL now declines to do so. The box blithely announces, 'No tickets available at this time.' (And the next seven weeks would be spent entering the hitherto unimaginable universe of eBay, and wiring hundreds of dollars to a suspicious-sounding Irishman in the East End of London who promises me deals not available 'through the regular channels'.)

I am not, by most people's reckoning, a fanatic. I'd actually sneered at U2 when its first album was pressed on me by a guitar-playing intellectual with whom I was teaching Shakespeare in 1980. But I live these days in rural Japan, with no bicycle, no car, no news or magazines, and barely room for six or so CDs in a two-room apartment (population four). Two of those CD's are by U2. So seeing the band, and sending all my money to criminals, came to seem more important than actually thinking about all the people U2 is singing for, who live, often, on less than a pound a day.

As the days in Dharamsala turned into eternities - me furiously engaged in on-line bartering while elderly Tibetans walked past to pray for long life for the Dalai Lama - I began to wonder what globalism really means. In the Current Event cafe, young global villagers were singing 'One', the bitter (Bono's word) song the band composed for a Tibetan freedom concert. Exile comes in as many flavours today as cappuccino. And three weeks ago, I flew from Los Angeles to Denmark to stand in a thunderstorm for three hours. U2 were singing of 'one love, one world' - in Copenhagen.

Pico Iyer is a travel writer. Born in India, educated in England, naturalised in the US and now living in rural Japan, his latest book is 'Sun After Dark' (Bloomsbury).

Why Kanye?

2005-08-19T20:03:00.000-04:00

Kanye West is rumored to be opening for several U2 shows on the fall leg of U2's Vertigo tour...

U2 at Fenway in '06?

2005-08-19T19:56:00.000-04:00

By Carol Beggy & Mark Shanahan, Globe Staff August 18, 2005

Before Mick Jagger has even set foot on the stage at Fenway Park, the whispering has begun about next summer's boffo shows at the ballpark. How do you follow Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffett, and the Rolling Stones? How does U2 sound? Word is the Irish lads, who are on a never-ending tour to promote ''How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," are nearing a deal to occupy the outfield next summer for two nights. Neither the Sox nor Clear Channel would comment yesterday, but the band has demonstrated it's a big fan of Boston. In May, Bono and the boys played three sold-out shows here, and they're returning for two more at TD Banknorth Garden Oct. 3 and 4.

The Arcade Fire to Open for Vegas Gigs on Leg 3?

2005-08-13T01:03:00.000-04:00

It has been recently announced that The Arcade Fire, whose music has been featured in pre-concert loops on the Vertigo Tour, will be opening for U2 live at some Canadian dates on Leg 3 of the tour this fall.

We found it interesting, that not only is The Arcade Fire's schedule open for the November run of U2 shows in Vegas, but they actually will be in town the weekend before those shows playing at the Vegoose Halloween festival the weekend of October 29 & 30.

You read it here first!

What is Vegoose?

Vegoose is a Halloween festival extravaganza that will draw inspiration from its Las Vegas location and, of course, the spirit of Halloween. In addition to an eclectic group of music performers, there will be interactive attractions, performance artists, and art installations - including elements of the Las Vegas entertainment and performance community. Don't forget to bring your costume.

Have you checked out the new Vertimap?

2005-08-12T06:48:00.000-04:00

We just put up on the right side of the page a new mapping product that is going to be plotting where Vertiblog visitors come from on a daily basis. This morning's map is the first update and if you click on the thumbnail to the right, you'll be able to see a larger image of the map and perhaps see a red dot where you live! I see Iceland! Anyways... we thought this was pretty cool, so we wanted to share it with you.

Yahweh video screen caps...

2005-08-11T19:56:00.000-04:00

You can view the video here: http://spon.com/design/mov/U2_Yahweh.mov

I'm Back!

2005-08-11T00:43:00.000-04:00

Busy month for me and I regret that I haven't been feeding the Vertiblog as I normally do. Thanks for sticking with me over the past couple weeks.

A couple of things have happened that temporarily took me away from the site. One is a new project I'm working on and the other personal:

1. New website... I just bought a new Jetta and as a result found that there is a huge VW community out there that likes to customize (aka 'mod') their cars. Well, the new Jetta is considered VW's 'MK5' platform. Hence, I created a site called mk5mods.com. If you have a new Jetta, feel free to join! (You may notice a similarity to the Vertiforum in style...). But it's taking off, already 50 members and over 100 posts. So I've been busy with that....

2. Went on Vacation to Boston/Cape Cod... Saw David Gray at the Avalon in Boston. He's doing a small pre release tour for his upcoming album. Songs sounded great and Boston is a great town. I'm really regretting not seeing U2 at any of the Boston gigs. Had tickets at the very first Ticketmaster online sale before the whole ticket fiasco (remember those days?) but opted for MSG in October. Anyways, I didn't bring my cell phone to the David Gray show, but wish I had. We were very close and a great show over all, although he did drop the f-bomb with the many technical difficulties his crew could not iron out. No Babylon either, but definitely check out the new disc as it will be pretty solid. He played the whole album and you could tell there will be a few new classics...

So anyway, I'm gearing up for the Fall Tour, I can't believe in a couple weeks it'll be September already. Just to remind you, the Vertiblog will be at Toronto, MSG, Las Vegas, and Buffalo shows, so we'll be sure to do what we can to get you up close and personal at those venues.

Again, thanks for sticking around for the past few weeks!

U2 Vertigo Tour Setlist 8.9.2005 // Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastian, Spain

2005-08-10T00:09:00.000-04:00

Main Set:

Vertigo
I Will Follow
The Electric Co.
Elevation
New Year's Day
Beautiful Day
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
City of Blinding Lights
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride
Where the Streets Have No Name
One

Encore(s):

Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You
All Because of You
Yahweh
Vertigo