Official bootleg info thread.

[Heathcliff]

So, I don't want to bring back from the dead some thread and I want something organized. That's why a new one.
This thread is for you to list all bootlegs you've heard and can say with conviction that the sound is great. Or if you prefer, list your boots and rank then.
Now, I know that U2start provides a fan-rating and a sound quality one, but I've downloaded 5 stars sound quality several times and they were far from sounding like August 28, 1993, for example. So, I hope this thread can help anyone that's wishing to download good bootlegs. Especially in the case of people like me, that have shtty internet connection and need to wait a good hour (or more) to get a bootleg. Also, I'm just starting to go after these kinda of stuff.

If you're going to rank, please use this:
5: perfect (Dublin, August 28, 1993 as example)
4: very good (Tel Aviv, September 30, 1997)
3: good (San Diego, March 30, 2005)
2: average
1: poor
0: don't download / waste of time

You can also rate as 4.5, for example... if you feel some booteg is on some intermediary level.
My list:

• Stockholm, June 11, 1992 - 4.5
• Dublin, August 28, 1993 - 5
• Tel Aviv, September 30, 1997 - 4
• São Paulo, January 31, 1998 - 5
• San Diego, March 30, 2005 - 3
• Barcelona, June 30, 2009 - 3.5
• Barcelona, July 2, 2009 - 3
• Milano, July 7, 2009 - 4

And btw, if you wish to say why you think it's a worth-download bootleg for other reasons other than quality, just say it.
Thanks.

[corianderstem]

I actually started going through my bootleg collection and trying to rate each one. I started it out of boredom, but I have hundreds, so I don't know how far I'll get.

But maybe I can help contribute to the thread, although I can't say that my rating system is the same as others'. Something I find listenable, someone else might find awful.

[Heathcliff]

Oh, as long as you can help it's okay. Those shows I posted can be used as a good example of the way I feel about ranking. But I don't think differences in opinions will be that big unless you're an audiophile - which I'm not.

[Acrobat51829]

Are you talking about just the sound quality, or the quality of the overall bootleg, i.e. the performance?

[Heathcliff]

Sound quality, but like I said... if you feel that there's a reason to download the bootleg even if it has a bad sound quality (like the performance) there's no problem in letting us know.

[Acrobat51829]

These are a few of my favorites for both sound quality and performances. I use the same ratings system as U2start (since that's my source for all of them). Though I'm no audiophile, I'd rate them all 5 stars for sound quality, and I'd rate most of them 5 stars for performance as well.

1981-02-12 The Hauge
1981-03-06 Boston
1981-12-13 Lido Beach
1982-12-06 London - really really excellent performances here, especially the early version of New Year's Day with the "maybe the time is right" lyric sung.
1983-05-05 Boston
1984-10-23 Nantes
1987-04-29 Rosemont
1987-11-07 Denver
All 4 1989 Point depot shows, but especially the 26th
1992-08-16 Washington DC
1997-08-28 Leeds
1997-11-14 Miami
1998-02-11 Santiago
2000-12-05 Irving Plaza
2001-03-24 Miami
2001-05-16 Chicago
2005-04-28 Vancouver
2006-12-04 Saitama

I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for exactly, but I hope that helps some.

[CTU2fan]

I was in the process of throwing a rating on mine, I'd gotten halfway through Elevation tour but my pc died...I can probably recover the hd and get my list back, it's on my "to do" list (but a long list it is ).

I really think it's important to consider the source when you rate them. I didn't do numbers, I just went with a range "poor-fair-good-very good-excellent" but I also put the source in. For example 2005-03-30 San Diego (Edgar's) - VG/Ex audience, or 1997-08-28 Leeds (Pump it up, Georges!) - Excellent broadcast, or 2001-05-03 Cleveland (Beautiful Night in Cleveland) - VG/Ex ALD. Actually I think on my list it had the taper's rig rather than name as some guys prefer we not throw their names or even initials on the list but you get the idea. I just like to rate soundboards in relation to other soundboards, audience tapes in relation to other audience tapes, IEM's to IEM's...just makes more sense to me.

[Heathcliff]

Originally Posted by Acrobat51829 These are a few of my favorites for both sound quality and performances. I use the same ratings system as U2start (since that's my source for all of them). Though I'm no audiophile, I'd rate them all 5 stars for sound quality, and I'd rate most of them 5 stars for performance as well. 1981-02-12 The Hauge 1981-03-06 Boston 1981-12-13 Lido Beach 1982-12-06 London - really really excellent performances here, especially the early version of New Year's Day with the "maybe the time is right" lyric sung. 1983-05-05 Boston 1984-10-23 Nantes 1987-04-29 Rosemont 1987-11-07 Denver All 4 1989 Point depot shows, but especially the 26th 1992-08-16 Washington DC 1997-08-28 Leeds 1997-11-14 Miami 1998-02-11 Santiago 2000-12-05 Irving Plaza 2001-03-24 Miami 2001-05-16 Chicago 2005-04-28 Vancouver 2006-12-04 Saitama I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for exactly, but I hope that helps some.

No, that's great! Thanks! It's what I'm looking for; if you feel they're worth 5 stars for audio quality, it's ok. Btw, I'm really thinking about downloading Popmart in Leeds soon.
Again, as a reference, for me the ultimate 5 stars is the August 28, 1993 concert in Dublin at the R.D.S. arena. Of course there'll be minor disagreements, like a bootleg that I find worth of 4 stars and someone else feels it's worth 4.5 or 5. That's okay, but at least we're making a decent list of what's worth the effort.
But anyone that's posting, remember: don't say it's 5 stars unless you really feel it's that good. No problem in ranking it as a 4.5 or whatever. Just for organization's sake.

Originally Posted by CTU2fan I was in the process of throwing a rating on mine, I'd gotten halfway through Elevation tour but my pc died...I can probably recover the hd and get my list back, it's on my "to do" list (but a long list it is ). I really think it's important to consider the source when you rate them. I didn't do numbers, I just went with a range "poor-fair-good-very good-excellent" but I also put the source in. For example 2005-03-30 San Diego (Edgar's) - VG/Ex audience, or 1997-08-28 Leeds (Pump it up, Georges!) - Excellent broadcast, or 2001-05-03 Cleveland (Beautiful Night in Cleveland) - VG/Ex ALD. Actually I think on my list it had the taper's rig rather than name as some guys prefer we not throw their names or even initials on the list but you get the idea. I just like to rate soundboards in relation to other soundboards, audience tapes in relation to other audience tapes, IEM's to IEM's...just makes more sense to me.

Well, your ranking goes almost the same way as numbers.. I just prefer numbers cause you can use decimals... and of course, it's universal. While words can vary from person to person.
Oh, if you can do it, it would be awesome to have a list separated by sources. I haven't mentioned it on my first post cause I'm trying to keep this simple. It's no problem at all though.
It would also help people which don't like certain types of recording like IEMs, for example. I think it would be really helpful indeed if you could post this.
But anyone else posting, don't worry if you can't mention the source. If you can, great... if you can't, just post your list.

Thanks again.

[Acrobat51829]

Definitely definitely get Popmart Leeds.
I forgot to add Popmart Sarajevo on my list as well, another 5 star show.


Going through my collection again, I found that these are a few shows with less than 5 star quality that I highlighted as having excellent performances:

1980-02-26 Dublin - 4
1981-11-14 Boston - 4
1983-07-03 Werchter - 4
1985-02-05 Bologna - 4
1987-06-12 London - 4.5
1987-11-18 Los Angeles - 4.5
1990-01-10 Rotterdam - 4.5
1992-05-22 Milan - 3.5 - best show of them all - amazing energy and audience
1997-07-31 Mannheim - 4.5
2005-05-28 Boston - 3.5
2005-07-29 Gothenburg - 4.5
2005-09-21 Chicago - 4.5


I should really start to compile a more organized list...

[Heathcliff]

^Popmart and ZooTV.. gotta tell ya, some awesome bootlegs there. I noticed you don't list São Paulo, January 31, 1998 nowhere in those lists. Top audio quality and maybe my favourite performance, so I guess you never heard it. If I'm right download it, you won't regret. I guarantee you.
And thanks again! once we'll have enough I'll start to gather everyone's list into one big post with the average ranks.


Another two to add to my list:

• Dublin, December 26, 1989 - 4.5 (Top notch performance though)
• Wembley, August 11, 1993 - 3 (I had to use iTunes equalizer to make it sound better though.)

[Heathcliff]

^Sorry, forgot to add: even though it doesn't have a great sound - maybe a 2.5 now that I'm thinking about - the London show is the legendary one where MacPhisto calls Salman Rushdie on stage. Also, the Sarajevo link it's one of the most moving moments you could see on a concert. So, I think it's worth the download if you're into that historical side.

[God Part III]

Popmart Sarajevo is the best thing ever.
If I was to explain what U2 is all about, I'd just give them Popmart Sarajevo. It's legendary, it's probably the greatest thing they ever did.

[cobl04]

someone make me a better 18-11-06

[bono_man2002]

Originally Posted by cobl04 someone make me a better 18-11-06

that was the first night wasn't it?

Isn't the recording of that one, legend....dary!

[RockNRollDawgie]

Originally Posted by God Part III Popmart Sarajevo is the best thing ever. If I was to explain what U2 is all about, I'd just give them Popmart Sarajevo. It's legendary, it's probably the greatest thing they ever did.

Even though Bono loses his voice half-way through, it is a legendary and very moving show!