|
Performance:
This was U2 in 1987 when they had returned from America with an array of new influences. However, the sound was raw and a couple of spotlights for "Bullet the Blue Sky" was the extent of the special effects. Although they have become more polished over the years and their catalogue has grown, this concert reflects when it was really about the music and they really were four ordinary lads.
Audience:
My memory of this concert will always be for the intro to "Where the Streets Have no Name", and the huge surge in the crowd. It took about half an hour to settle down. Ireland were really excited about U2 at the time, popular bands rarely came to Ireland and apart from Neil Diamond and Simple Minds, we didn't really have stadium rock. I can't imagine an Irish audience in 2009 screaming approval at "Springhill Mining Disaster". Bono stops twice during the performance, firstly to coax a guy off the roof of the stadium, and second to chastise the bouncers beating up someone who came over the front barrier.
Sound:
Great for 1987. I especially love the mix of audience/band at the end of "40" when Larry is left on the stage solo.
Overall:
My lowlight on the day was cursing slipping on a banana sandwich during a crowd surge. (Who brings banana sandwiches to a rock concert), and to be honest the first half hour of this concert was lost on me until I bought this bootleg. It truly was a great event, with every song on the setlist a classic.
|
|
Performance:
The band are pumped to be back home and playing out of their skins
Audience:
Its Dublin and it's U2... they're loud and appreciative and even if they don't all know the words, they make up for it with enthusiasm
Sound:
This is the audience recording which was apparently recorded far away from the speakers (almost outside the stadium) and very close to a group of very excited screaming girls who make themselves heard throughout. It regularly fades in and out and half of New Years day is lost. Overall it is a distraction from the atmosphere. But then, maybe I'm a snob...
Overall:
It's unfortunate that the sound is so poor, because this would have been a brilliant night of a band at their peak making an absolutely awesome homecoming.
|
|
Performance:
Fantastic performance from this leg of the tour. Not quite up with Brussels (though what could be)...but it still rocks.
Audience:
Hometown crowd, large stadium, great atmosphere. Well represented in the recording.
Sound:
Only real fault. Not poor, but not outstanding. Listenable.
Overall:
Very enjoyable performance from Croke- pretty epic night in JT proportions. Much better than the second night, IMO.
|