U2 - Joshua Tree gigs

[szmurf]

So, we know that Justin won't do a T&C or Ghost tour, but what do you think about bands playing full on sets?

Saw Peter Gabriel do So and had tickets to see Pixies Doolittle, but had to miss it.  Gabriel hadn't put out anything in years and the Pixies hadn't made their first comeback album then, but it was a good chance to see some bands I love.  Styx did a show with Cornerstone and Pieces of Eight together and would have loved to see that.

Have tickets to the Joshua Tree tour and am looking forward to it.  Now I know a lot of people think anything after the Unforgettable Fire is crap, but I quite like most of their albums and can find something I like in everyone.

So, your thoughts?

[Adrian]

Never thought I'd see a U2 related post here! Well done on getting those tickets. I last went to see U2 in the early 80's - the War tour. Great gigs. I went off them considerably after Rattle and Hum but I'd still go and see them if the chance came up. Have fun at the show. I'm going to see Joanne Shaw Taylor tonight. Does that count?

[Anna Woman von NRW]

Think the Joshua Tree is an excellent album, saw the original tour at Wembley in 87 (?).

Like to hear a good mix of old and new stuff at gigs, not so keen on complete album shows though and wouldn't be too excited about an NMA full album playback tour : not even TIAGD  . Having said that I do wish I could have made it to The Cure doing all of Disintegration a while back.

[Master Ray]

I also like 'Joshua Tree'... often judged by the big hit singles from that album but there is some really excellent moody stuff there like 'Exit' and 'Mothers Of The Disappeared'... well done on getting those tickets.

As far as 'playing an album in it's entirety'... not a huge fan of the concept and DEFFO not a fan as far as NMA is concerned.  One of my fave things about an NMA gig is the unpredictability of it all.  They're one of the few bands that don't just go down the 'playing most of the new album and a few well known tracks' route.  It'll be 27 years this June since I started going to see the lads live and I've never once see them play a predictable set.  There's always been lovely surprises and the way that old tracks get fresh life due to their context in the run of things... and spending an hour listening to the exact set order and knowing what is coming up just doesn't seem very 'NMA' for me.  But that's just my silly opinion, hey. 

[Guillaume]

I also like 'Joshua Tree'... often judged by the big hit singles from that album but there is some really excellent moody stuff there like 'Exit' and 'Mothers Of The Disappeared'...

"Red Hill Mining Town"...maybe my fav U2 song (alongside "Where the streets have no name")...so moving with Bono's incredible voice on this track!!

[szmurf]

So the consensus seems to be against full album shows.  I actually like them; most either do the album, take a break and then play another set of favs and new stuff, so it's not like the album is the only thing they play.  Although, I bet that was the case with Styx doing Cornerstone and Pieces of Eight, prob a break in between (they were their best albums so I'd be fine not hearing Mr Roboto).

And didn't the Cure do a gig where they played the trilogy of Pornography, Disintegration and Bloodflowers?  I think it was over 2 or 3 nights.

[Coumarin]

My missus is gonna love that. Bryan Adams in Jakarta too

[Coumarin]

80s bands. bring it on, niche market now?


Red hill mining town was a single from Joshua tree too

Released only for our antipidean friends as a 45

there is a note to "greg carrol" that refers to this

[Bunny]

For me it was U2's best album.. Love it!!