Cloaca Melodia

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA ... I've seen U2 about a half-dozen times , and this night was the most remarkable of all of them. It's not that it was the best performance I've ever seen the band give -- I'd probably give that to either the 1985 show or their Zoo TV concert -- but it was the first and only time I've ever met a band member. It was actually 3/4 of the group. I met up with someone from U2's record label prior to the concert and he gave me a lanyard and told me to go to the Club Level of Heinz Field for a little pre-show party they were calling "The Desert Lounge."  He hinted that there was a chance of meeting one of more members of the band, but, you know, no promises. I've been through that song-and-dance before and I mentally put the odds of something like that occurring at 10%. The Lumineers were the opening act and I have seen them yet, so at 7:17p I put the question out to Facebook: Everybody was pretty unambiguous - wa...

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA My fifth time seeing U2. It was a very enjoyable show, although if I had to rank them, it might be last. At best, tied for fourth. post continues.... The show started off great, with four songs from Achtung Baby and the concert had a terrific final third. Somewhere in the middle it the set list was a tad soft, although I'm not sure exactly why. The set was interesting to look at at first, but not although that great in enhancing the show (unlike, say, the Zoo TV tour staging). Bono's voice definitely couldn't hit all of the high notes of old, although he pulled off the Pavarotti part in "Miss Sarajevo" quite gracefully. Setlist: Even Better Than the Real Thing The Fly Mysterious Ways Until the End of the World I Will Follow Get On Your Boots I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For Stay (Faraway, So Close!) Beautiful Day Elevation Pride (In the Name of Love) Miss Sarajevo Zooropa City of Blinding Lights Ve...

Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh with Damien Marley I didn't plan it this way. But I only see U2 once a decade. First in 1985, in Hartford, CT, on the Unforgettable Fire tour. Then, the indoor " Zoo TV " tour in 1992. And now again, 13 years later. post continues.... The stage set-up included a circular walkway which extended out into the crowd, allowing for the General Admission ticketholders who got in line early to be within the elliptical walkway. I was standing about 25 feet on the outside of the walkway (nearest to where The Edge's microphone was placed for "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of"), so it was a terrific view when bandmembers strolled out into the crowd. Above the stage, the video monitors were broken up into four sections. For most of the show, each section featured isolated shots of each bandmember, which was a pretty good idea (although it was perhaps more attention than Larry and Adam were used to, as the Adam-cam caught him picking hi...

Continental Airlines Arena, E. Rutherford, NJ..... Coming hot on the heels of an amazing new album, Achtung Baby , and with much advance chatter about the over-the-top multimedia design of the "Zoo TV" concerts, there was a lot of anticipation for this tour. This was my first time seeing U2 since the Hartford Civic Center in 1985, so I was greatly looking forward to the show. However, it was a Wednesday night, which sucked--I was doing the WHTG morning show, so I had to get up no later than 5am the following morning. But sleep issues notwithstanding, this show was unbelievable. The band performed at their usual inspirational level, and the multitude of video screens around the set provided an intriguing running commentary on and interaction with the music. Bono's preening before the onstage cameras when he came out dressed in his silver lame outfit was almost shocking--here was a guy who had built his reputation on earnestness, and he was suddenly playing the part of a ro...

Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT I don't remember who was organizing the road trip from Ithaca to Hartford to catch U2 on their Unforgettable Fire tour, but two of my fellow DJs at our college radio station ( WICB ) were going and I wasn't about to pass up the opportunity. post continues.... Kevin wore his Irish-American heritage on his sleeve, even calling himself "The Leprechaun" on the air, and was naturally a huge fan of the band. Glenn, meanwhile, was a lyric-oriented music listener and future songwriter, and was inspired by Bono's freewheeling yet passionate and meaningful approach to his words. They, plus myself, and two other guys who I didn't really know--friends of Kevin, I think--piled into the car (not mine, of course, I didn't even yet know how to drive) and made the five hour trek to Hartford. U2 setlist: "11 O'Clock Tick Tock," "I Will Follow," "Seconds," "MLK," "The Unforgettable ...