E&I tour hits Berlin - All discussions

Originally posted by Zoolov:Ok, a long one here, perhaps in Swenglish, but my intentions are all good:

I’m not an avid writer here, but I read a lot. So thanks to everyone in here who are contributing, and the biggest thanks to Remy and all other U2start-staffers.
You’re the best.

This time, I feel that I must do more than read. I need and want to put this Berlin show in perspective.

So, this is my story.

I’ve been a fan since the Zooropa tour back in 1993, when I caught the band in Stockholm on the night Stay got it’s live debut. That night changed my life. It really did, and I owe U2 so much. I made a promise to myself that rainy night, and that was to go out and chase the power of music – that mysterious power that brings strangers together, lifts us up and make us sing our hearts out. That night it was Streets that blew my mind, it was like a spiritual awakening, and I haven’t quite recovered yet.

Now, to put that in context: I hated U2 before that concert. I considered them boring and dull (Rattle & hum was not that exciting for a teenager at the end of the 80’s). But I let my friends talk me in to it, and I decided to follow them to Stockholm and the concert.

As I said, that changed everything: after that show I wanted to dedicate my life to music. But since I was not the best at my instrument (played violin since I was 4) I decided it was better to write about music. Three years later I got my first gig as a music journalist.

During my ten years as a reviewer I covered loads of concerts. Many hundreds. Springsteen. Depeche Mode. Pearl Jam. Coldplay. Killers. Black Sabbath. Manic Street Preachers. Suede. Oasis. Caught every U2 tour, also after I changed career. Popmart times three. Elevation, four concerts. Was at Slane Castle. Madison Square Garden and New Jersey 2005. 360 in many places. Innocence times three. Joshua Tree at Croke Park. Experience in Amsterdam, both nights.

And so, a couple of weeks ago me and my dear friend decided we wanted to go to Berlin and catch the last concert of the tour. We were lucky enough to get hold of great tickets in the near-last-minute. Flew in late, wheels down at five o’clock, bags in hotel room and then off to the Mercedes Benz Arena.

Now, as I said, I have been to many concerts, but I haven’t experienced what we witnessed this Tuesday (Tuesday for heavens sake! Not Saturday night…). We got a setlist that I would chop off fingers to see. Not only Acrobat, but Gloria, Zoo Station and Dirty Day in the same set. I mean, come on. That was unthinkable ten years ago. And above that a band on fire – and an audience that was… spectacular. The energy in that room, from the first bars to the last, was just off the charts.

From time to time a read some negative comments in here, and that’s ok. But for me, a man who weigh his words and is careful with superlatives: I loved every minute of it. And they got his night on film, one of my (and hopefully theirs) best nights ever, and I can’t wait to show my family and my friends that yes, indeed, although critized many times, I made the right decision 25 years ago: to work with music and writing, and to follow U2.

I chose the right band, with the best tribe.

Thanks to all of you who made this last show such a special one.
And... yes, this might have been the best of them all.

Originally posted by martijnu2start:[..]
Great to hear your experience.

Originally posted by Zoolov:Ok, a long one here, perhaps in Swenglish, but my intentions are all good:

I’m not an avid writer here, but I read a lot. So thanks to everyone in here who are contributing, and the biggest thanks to Remy and all other U2start-staffers.
You’re the best.

This time, I feel that I must do more than read. I need and want to put this Berlin show in perspective.

So, this is my story.

I’ve been a fan since the Zooropa tour back in 1993, when I caught the band in Stockholm on the night Stay got it’s live debut. That night changed my life. It really did, and I owe U2 so much. I made a promise to myself that rainy night, and that was to go out and chase the power of music – that mysterious power that brings strangers together, lifts us up and make us sing our hearts out. That night it was Streets that blew my mind, it was like a spiritual awakening, and I haven’t quite recovered yet.

Now, to put that in context: I hated U2 before that concert. I considered them boring and dull (Rattle & hum was not that exciting for a teenager at the end of the 80’s). But I let my friends talk me in to it, and I decided to follow them to Stockholm and the concert.

As I said, that changed everything: after that show I wanted to dedicate my life to music. But since I was not the best at my instrument (played violin since I was 4) I decided it was better to write about music. Three years later I got my first gig as a music journalist.

During my ten years as a reviewer I covered loads of concerts. Many hundreds. Springsteen. Depeche Mode. Pearl Jam. Coldplay. Killers. Black Sabbath. Manic Street Preachers. Suede. Oasis. Caught every U2 tour, also after I changed career. Popmart times three. Elevation, four concerts. Was at Slane Castle. Madison Square Garden and New Jersey 2005. 360 in many places. Innocence times three. Joshua Tree at Croke Park. Experience in Amsterdam, both nights.

And so, a couple of weeks ago me and my dear friend decided we wanted to go to Berlin and catch the last concert of the tour. We were lucky enough to get hold of great tickets in the near-last-minute. Flew in late, wheels down at five o’clock, bags in hotel room and then off to the Mercedes Benz Arena.

Now, as I said, I have been to many concerts, but I haven’t experienced what we witnessed this Tuesday (Tuesday for heavens sake! Not Saturday night…). We got a setlist that I would chop off fingers to see. Not only Acrobat, but Gloria, Zoo Station and Dirty Day in the same set. I mean, come on. That was unthinkable ten years ago. And above that a band on fire – and an audience that was… spectacular. The energy in that room, from the first bars to the last, was just off the charts.

From time to time a read some negative comments in here, and that’s ok. But for me, a man who weigh his words and is careful with superlatives: I loved every minute of it. And they got his night on film, one of my (and hopefully theirs) best nights ever, and I can’t wait to show my family and my friends that yes, indeed, although critized many times, I made the right decision 25 years ago: to work with music and writing, and to follow U2.

I chose the right band, with the best tribe.

Thanks to all of you who made this last show such a special one.
And... yes, this might have been the best of them all.

Originally posted by maartenpetra:[image]
What a show, what a fans, what a time I had in Berlin the last 2 days. First went to the Hansa studios. I stood there (with many foreign U2 fans) were once Achtung Baby was recorded near the wall. Can you imagine. Met some very cool and nice U2 Start fans before and at the afterparty. The Edge was amazing with his solos, especially on The Fly. And Gloria, Dirty Day, New Years Day were incredible so were many others. Bono's intro's were so emotional. To see him leaving the stage on 13 (There's a Light) makes me almost crying because it came to an end. Thank you Berlin and thank you 4 boys from the north side of Dublin.

Originally posted by Zoolov:.

Now, as I said, I have been to many concerts, but I haven’t experienced what we witnessed this Tuesday (Tuesday for heavens sake! Not Saturday night…). We got a setlist that I would chop off fingers to see. Not only Acrobat, but Gloria, Zoo Station and Dirty Day in the same set. I mean, come on. That was unthinkable ten years ago. And above that a band on fire – and an audience that was… spectacular. The energy in that room, from the first bars to the last, was just off the charts.

From time to time a read some negative comments in here, and that’s ok. But for me, a man who weigh his words and is careful with superlatives: I loved every minute of it. And they got his night on film, one of my (and hopefully theirs) best nights ever, and I can’t wait to show my family and my friends that yes, indeed, although critized many times, I made the right decision 25 years ago: to work with music and writing, and to follow U2.

I chose the right band, with the best tribe.

Thanks to all of you who made this last show such a special one.
And... yes, this might have been the best of them all.

Originally posted by Maaaike:[..]


+100

This is the thing I don't want to stop talking about for at least another week ? The feeling that I just witnessed a really special, perhaps even historical evening. Plus the fact that I met a really cool bunch of people that went from total strangers to U2 friends in a couple of days.

Funny coincidence: I met Joeri in the queue for Berlin (I think he's on U2start as well)! We went to the same secondary school, and he got me my first U2 ticket 25 years ago ? Never saw him after our school days, up till now.

Now that I'm back at work (which I really like, btw) it starts to sink on how magical this tour has been for me. From registering here on this site to find out how to get close to front rail for just once, to ending up at the Amsterdam e-stage. And from deciding to travel to Berlin in a split second, to meeting Bono, exchanging a really sweet moment, and later seeing the band playing the roof off. The afterparty with water and beer, being at Hansa, re-living nineties Berlin. And all the time keep telling myself to soak it all in, to experience every second of it.

I don't think this experience could have been any better or more complete. I feel so happy and grateful.

Originally posted by wtonis:[..]
My point is that when security hands out wristbands and tell people to come back at 5pm, security should fence off one entry or make other arrangements. At opening night in Berlin they did fence off an area and it was clear to anyone that the area was meant for wristbanded people. Last Tuesday nothing was arranged and then you get the clash between the wristbanded and other folks who queued for four hours or so.
.

Originally posted by Orentelori:I'm still completely enchanted by the U2 Tour. I was in Belfast and also in Berlin 2 (cancelled) and in the show in November Berlin 3. I'm still completely enchanted and float a bit above the ground, because the band and their music is magic for me.

In Belfast I had the experience of being in the GA and getting close to the band members. I had a seat in Berlin and was able to watch the band with my husband. There, of course, the stage was much better to look at and also the LED display. We also met with some fans here from U2 start, which is a very nice group. I would like to thank you once again for having such a great time together, laughing, exchanging ideas and simply having lots of fun together. Thank you, Remy, of course, for your huge commitment and look forward to seeing you every time. In Belfast I just waved to you, of course you did not know who I was. In Berlin, we even talked a little bit with each other. At the post in the life chat when you started to talk and beside of you was Maaike you could see me after you in the background. ;-)

Originally posted by Orentelori:I'm still completely enchanted by the U2 Tour. I was in Belfast and also in Berlin 2 (cancelled) and in the show in November Berlin 3. I'm still completely enchanted and float a bit above the ground, because the band and their music is magic for me.

In Belfast I had the experience of being in the GA and getting close to the band members. I had a seat in Berlin and was able to watch the band with my husband. There, of course, the stage was much better to look at and also the LED display. We also met with some fans here from U2 start, which is a very nice group. I would like to thank you once again for having such a great time together, laughing, exchanging ideas and simply having lots of fun together. Thank you, Remy, of course, for your huge commitment and look forward to seeing you every time. In Belfast I just waved to you, of course you did not know who I was. In Berlin, we even talked a little bit with each other. At the post in the life chat when you started to talk and beside of you was Maaike you could see me after you in the background. ;-)