Comments on: Adulation defined: U2′s Seattle Vertigo tour April 25, 2005

By: joann

joann — Thu, 28 Apr 2005 17:49:08 +0000

thanks for sharing your experience.

i think he’s trying to “make a difference” knowing he is in an influential position

i think it is a good thing

By: Chas Redmond

Chas Redmond — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 05:28:48 +0000

Great review. Really glad you feeling better, too. I agree with you that Bono is pushing a positive, “get-involved,” attitude and because of that he can get away with being somewhat arrogant. As for the whole religious thing, “enh!” I don’t get too excited by other’s subscriptions to this or that faith anymore. What’s so appealing about the Northwest is this sense of self-sufficiency and therefore no need for an assist from “god.” But, for those that need it or feel comfortable, “enh,” let ‘em have their moment. I’d have been there for the rhythms and feeling of unity anyway – I’m just to parsimonious to spend that kind of money (that would buy a lot of food for a lot of folks!). Glad you got to go and had a good time. I do like their music and especially their early albums, before they got so electrified.

By: Steven Noels

Steven Noels — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 20:50:01 +0000

Hi Julie! Re: “glittery electronic curtains of colorful beads”: did you know those beads are “Made in Belgium”? http://www.barco.com/events/en/pressreleases/show.asp?index=1490

Cheers, Steven.

By: Kirsten

Kirsten — Tue, 26 Apr 2005 19:00:06 +0000

A few thoughts on the fanatic/adulation thing: I’m a fairly rabid Radiohead fan who’s been to eight concerts so far. (That seems like a lot until you meet the people who’ve been to twenty or thirty.) I can’t really speak about U2′s shows – I like them OK, but haven’t really listened to them since high school – but since U2 and Radiohead are often declared to have the best live shows, there may be some similarities.

In some ways it feels glorious to temporarily surrender control to the person up on the stage. I am certainly not the slightest bit religious, but Radiohead shows are the closest thing to a religious experience for me. Does that mean I worship them? No no no. Does it mean I think Thom Yorke is a deity, or think I should do whatever he says? Certainly not. But he and the rest of Radiohead have the ability to conjure up such an intense feeling of exhilaration in a huge crowd, to make us feel like we just wouldn’t feel otherwise, for those few hours that we’re there. Perhaps it’s because I can’t get that emotion from religion that I love being able to find it in this musical environment instead. It is an addictive feeling, and many people follow the band around on tour because they just want more of it.

But one of the things that’s key for me is that they don’t act like rock stars; Thom Yorke doesn’t swagger around the stage and yell at you to join in singing. The five of them seem like normal guys who just happen to have lucked into an incredible combined talent and are actually somewhat surprised about the whole thing. I think that’s part of what draws me to them – they don’t lord their power over the crowd; they don’t abuse your respect. I get the impression that Bono is more obviously manipulative.

At these mega-concerts, it does help to be right up near the front. Nosebleed seats can still give you a good show, but the intensity fades dramatically the further away you get. Some of it is because when you’re up close to the band you’re constantly seeking eye contact with them, and when you get it, even for a flash, it’s an electric moment. You feel connected; you feel truly *there*. I’m starting to get too old to hold my ground in the pit, though, so I’ve gotta enjoy it while I can…