The nature of U2's setlists.

The_acrobat · 11-14-2006, 12:58 AM

Some people bitch about hearing too many of the greatest hits at a concert. I have been one of them. "Pride", "One" and "With or without you" all seem tired to me. I'd love to hear "Ultraviolet", "Acrobat", "Mofo", "Surrender" or any other rarity live. I'd love U2 to do an entire set of rarities without ANY hits. However, I was recently able to see it from the other side of the fence.

A few weeks ago, I saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Columbus. I would call myself a casual fan. I have Stadium Arcadium and By the way, and I'm aware of the popular singles they've had on previous albums. However, there were a lot of their popular songs that they didn't play. "Otherside", "Around the world", "Zephyr Song", "Universally Speaking" and "UNDER THE BRIDGE" were all not played. They played a lot of deep cuts from the albums that I had no idea what they were, and a couple of covers. The show was still good (highlights included "Charlie", "Parallel Universe" and "By the way"), but I just thought "Man, if people were paying me $60 I'd play them the songs they want to hear".

Then it hit me... there's a reason U2 play their big hits. It's to please casual fans like that. I'm sure that when the Chili Peppers played some of those album cuts, the diehards thought it was great. But I was bored and confused, just like how some of the casuals must have felt during "An Cat Dubh" last year. I think U2 does a great job of playing sets that please diehards, newbies and the casuals at the same time. So don't bitch when you hear "Pride"... just remember, it might be making somebody else's night.

Maquaman · 11-14-2006, 02:09 AM

Excellent post. You make a very good point. Given that you could make up over two complete setlists from singles before you add in some non single concert favourites (Bad, BTBS, UTEOTW, 40, etc) we really are quite lucky that they generally do give the newer songs the number of slots in the setlist that they do. Ok, maybe not all the singles have been greatest hits but there are a heap of them that have been.

Shawn Bonneau · 11-14-2006, 02:15 AM

Amen to that. And I will say something The Edge has said many times. U2 doesn't have a lot of hits that are widely played on the radio. They do have the key hits, "Still haven't Found", "One", "Vertigo", "Beautiful Day", "With or Without You", "Mysterious Ways"... But a lot of their hits seem to shimmer off and put up later on. U2 fill their setlists with hits that they feel will please EVERYONE... but the big hudge hits seem to tire out the diehards, but I am sure it doesn't seem that way to casual fans. A lot to take in, I know, but very much true.

SMB

dazzlingamy · 11-14-2006, 02:35 AM

I think any setlist rocks! I thought i'd be a bit bored during one, or WOWY and i spent the whoe time singing my lungs out and grinning like a loon....

it rocks

the people that bitch that every night is similar....don't go to every concert! U2 don't perform just for you!
hahah

kramwest1 · 11-14-2006, 11:13 AM

I always remind myself when there's an approaching U2 show with what appears to be a fairly undifferentiated setlist, I'm fine with the same songs I've heard live 15 times as long as they play great and the crowd is into it.
There's nothing worse than a prefunctory performance of a song by U2 (LAPOE 3rd Leg, ugh.) or a lackluster crowd.
But, there's nothing better than a crowd hopped up on PITNOL and Bono catching a contact high.

Mark

Muad'zin · 11-14-2006, 03:24 PM

Well, there is a reason they call greatest hits greatest hits. Those are the songs that people have grown to love over the years and would like to hear when they go see the band live. Personally I can live with a greatest hits setlist. It's the boring predictability of them playing the same songs in the same order night after night which is boring. I want them to mix things u, so that when I go to different concerts I can expect a little mystery as to what the lads will be playing. They have more then ample greatest hits. Surely they don't have to play Beautiful day (for example) every night and play a different greatest hit in its place. The way I see it there is ample room between the intro songs and the LAPOE/SBS/BTBS sequence to mix things up. As with the encores.

If only for themselves. Surely it must get boring playing the same songs and doing the same routines and poses on the same scripted postitions night after night after night.

phillyfan26 · 11-14-2006, 03:27 PM

Yes, it's the fact that it's the same hits that pisses people off. U2 could at least play hits but at least mix up some of those hits.

Nisse · 11-14-2006, 03:53 PM

Yeah, the greatest hits take too many spots from the setlists. Imo the no1 priority should be to perform the whole or most of the new album and recent singles (Electrical storm). Then there should be some random songs that fit with the theme, or makes sense, and finally some hits. Also, as others said, mix the damn hits up. From most albums there are like 3-4 classics, why not switch between them? They already do that but not enough I say!

Jeannieco · 11-14-2006, 07:06 PM

Great post! Then there are people like me; another die hard that through life circumstances has not had the opportunity to see them live yet even though I have been in love with them for over 2 decades! So, for those of us who are seeing them live for the first time a greatest hits compliation and all the anthems are a must!! I have waited for 20 yrs to hear them live, so please keep that in mind too! It would not be a U2 show without Streets, the holy grail

I cannot wait to be blessed with their presence in Hawaii!

dietcokeofevil · 11-14-2006, 07:12 PM

Great post.

But they have enough greatest hits to shake up the greatest hits. And pick one or two NEW raries each time.

dietcokeofevil · 11-14-2006, 07:13 PM

No more AN CATH DUBH

dietcokeofevil · 11-14-2006, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nisse
Yeah, the greatest hits take too many spots from the setlists. Imo the no1 priority should be to perform the whole or most of the new album and recent singles (Electrical storm). Then there should be some random songs that fit with the theme, or makes sense, and finally some hits. Also, as others said, mix the damn hits up. From most albums there are like 3-4 classics, why not switch between them? They already do that but not enough I say!

AMEN

coolian2 · 11-14-2006, 07:27 PM

I wanna hear One, Pride and WOWY.

I think Pride is far better live too.

I'm about to be sent off in disgrace, rgiht?

Chizip · 11-14-2006, 07:32 PM

theres a fine line between playing hits to appease the casual fan and going way overboard with it. u2 has so many hits they could rotate them in to keep them fresh as well as appease the casual fans.

whats nearly criminal is u2 has a huge back catalogue of amazing songs they will never see the light of day live, yet we'll keep hearing the same hits over and over again

and if they keep bullet in the setlist for the next tour im gonna puke

Blue Room · 11-14-2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeannieco
It would not be a U2 show without Streets, the holy grail

I used to think this also as its my favorite U2 song and the crowd just goes nuts live. After this tour though I think they could give it a break every once in awhile. It suffered on this tour I think do to its placement more than anything. Interestingly enough the band originally were not planning to play it in early rehearsals as they thought it needed a break. But Bono made the Africa connection with it and it was added obviously.

Imagine this, closing a show with Streets.

Would be different and a great vibe to end a show IMO.

11-14-2006, 12:58 AM	#1
The_acrobat Refugee Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Urbana, Ohio, USA Posts: 1,246 Local Time: 08:16 AM	The nature of U2's setlists. Some people bitch about hearing too many of the greatest hits at a concert. I have been one of them. "Pride", "One" and "With or without you" all seem tired to me. I'd love to hear "Ultraviolet", "Acrobat", "Mofo", "Surrender" or any other rarity live. I'd love U2 to do an entire set of rarities without ANY hits. However, I was recently able to see it from the other side of the fence. A few weeks ago, I saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Columbus. I would call myself a casual fan. I have Stadium Arcadium and By the way, and I'm aware of the popular singles they've had on previous albums. However, there were a lot of their popular songs that they didn't play. "Otherside", "Around the world", "Zephyr Song", "Universally Speaking" and "UNDER THE BRIDGE" were all not played. They played a lot of deep cuts from the albums that I had no idea what they were, and a couple of covers. The show was still good (highlights included "Charlie", "Parallel Universe" and "By the way"), but I just thought "Man, if people were paying me $60 I'd play them the songs they want to hear". Then it hit me... there's a reason U2 play their big hits. It's to please casual fans like that. I'm sure that when the Chili Peppers played some of those album cuts, the diehards thought it was great. But I was bored and confused, just like how some of the casuals must have felt during "An Cat Dubh" last year. I think U2 does a great job of playing sets that please diehards, newbies and the casuals at the same time. So don't bitch when you hear "Pride"... just remember, it might be making somebody else's night.

11-14-2006, 03:27 PM	#7
phillyfan26 ROCK, FLAG, AND EAGLE! Premium Gold Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: A Shithole Posts: 23,544 Local Time: 03:16 AM	Yes, it's the fact that it's the same hits that pisses people off. U2 could at least play hits but at least mix up some of those hits. __________________ Philadelphia Phillies - 2008 World Fuckin' Champions

11-14-2006, 07:06 PM	#9
Jeannieco Refugee Premium Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I WITNESSED HISTORY ..BARACK OBAMA'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH 8/28/08 INVESCO FIELD DENVER CO. AMAZING and ELECTRIC! Posts: 2,146 Local Time: 12:16 AM	Great post! Then there are people like me; another die hard that through life circumstances has not had the opportunity to see them live yet even though I have been in love with them for over 2 decades! So, for those of us who are seeing them live for the first time a greatest hits compliation and all the anthems are a must!! I have waited for 20 yrs to hear them live, so please keep that in mind too! It would not be a U2 show without Streets, the holy grail I cannot wait to be blessed with their presence in Hawaii! __________________ :YES WE DID! On my way to DC!!!

11-14-2006, 07:27 PM	#13
coolian2 In opposition and not happy Premium Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Auckland via Kwajalein Posts: 23,871 Local Time: 09:16 PM	I wanna hear One, Pride and WOWY. I think Pride is far better live too. I'm about to be sent off in disgrace, rgiht? __________________

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11-14-2006, 02:09 AM	#2
Maquaman The Fly Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 71 Local Time: 06:16 PM	Excellent post. You make a very good point. Given that you could make up over two complete setlists from singles before you add in some non single concert favourites (Bad, BTBS, UTEOTW, 40, etc) we really are quite lucky that they generally do give the newer songs the number of slots in the setlist that they do. Ok, maybe not all the singles have been greatest hits but there are a heap of them that have been.

11-14-2006, 02:15 AM	#3
Shawn Bonneau Refugee Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,159 Local Time: 08:16 AM	Amen to that. And I will say something The Edge has said many times. U2 doesn't have a lot of hits that are widely played on the radio. They do have the key hits, "Still haven't Found", "One", "Vertigo", "Beautiful Day", "With or Without You", "Mysterious Ways"... But a lot of their hits seem to shimmer off and put up later on. U2 fill their setlists with hits that they feel will please EVERYONE... but the big hudge hits seem to tire out the diehards, but I am sure it doesn't seem that way to casual fans. A lot to take in, I know, but very much true. SMB

11-14-2006, 02:35 AM	#4
dazzlingamy Refugee Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: where the desert meets the mountains... Posts: 2,122 Local Time: 06:16 PM	I think any setlist rocks! I thought i'd be a bit bored during one, or WOWY and i spent the whoe time singing my lungs out and grinning like a loon.... it rocks the people that bitch that every night is similar....don't go to every concert! U2 don't perform just for you! hahah

11-14-2006, 11:13 AM	#5
kramwest1 The Fly Premium Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: with my fingers in the mire Posts: 125 Local Time: 02:16 AM	I always remind myself when there's an approaching U2 show with what appears to be a fairly undifferentiated setlist, I'm fine with the same songs I've heard live 15 times as long as they play great and the crowd is into it. There's nothing worse than a prefunctory performance of a song by U2 (LAPOE 3rd Leg, ugh.) or a lackluster crowd. But, there's nothing better than a crowd hopped up on PITNOL and Bono catching a contact high. Mark

11-14-2006, 03:24 PM	#6
Muad'zin War Child Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Nijmegen, the Netherlands Posts: 852 Local Time: 09:16 AM	Well, there is a reason they call greatest hits greatest hits. Those are the songs that people have grown to love over the years and would like to hear when they go see the band live. Personally I can live with a greatest hits setlist. It's the boring predictability of them playing the same songs in the same order night after night which is boring. I want them to mix things u, so that when I go to different concerts I can expect a little mystery as to what the lads will be playing. They have more then ample greatest hits. Surely they don't have to play Beautiful day (for example) every night and play a different greatest hit in its place. The way I see it there is ample room between the intro songs and the LAPOE/SBS/BTBS sequence to mix things up. As with the encores. If only for themselves. Surely it must get boring playing the same songs and doing the same routines and poses on the same scripted postitions night after night after night.

11-14-2006, 03:53 PM	#8
Nisse Refugee Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,024 Local Time: 08:16 AM	Yeah, the greatest hits take too many spots from the setlists. Imo the no1 priority should be to perform the whole or most of the new album and recent singles (Electrical storm). Then there should be some random songs that fit with the theme, or makes sense, and finally some hits. Also, as others said, mix the damn hits up. From most albums there are like 3-4 classics, why not switch between them? They already do that but not enough I say!

11-14-2006, 07:12 PM	#10
dietcokeofevil War Child Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 577 Local Time: 08:16 AM	Great post. But they have enough greatest hits to shake up the greatest hits. And pick one or two NEW raries each time.

11-14-2006, 07:13 PM	#11
dietcokeofevil War Child Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 577 Local Time: 08:16 AM	No more AN CATH DUBH

11-14-2006, 07:32 PM	#14
Chizip Blue Crack Addict Join Date: May 2001 Location: love not hate Posts: 17,471 Local Time: 12:16 AM Images: 47	theres a fine line between playing hits to appease the casual fan and going way overboard with it. u2 has so many hits they could rotate them in to keep them fresh as well as appease the casual fans. whats nearly criminal is u2 has a huge back catalogue of amazing songs they will never see the light of day live, yet we'll keep hearing the same hits over and over again and if they keep bullet in the setlist for the next tour im gonna puke