1. In this series we will be regularly interviewing fans during the tour to ask them about their personal experiences. Today we have an interview with KieranU2 and Ross1441, who attended the 1st and 2nd Cologne shows.

    The Cologne shows were your first of the Innocence and Experience Tour, what are your impressions? Did anything surprise you?

    Ross: My impressions of the first show were very, very positive. People Have the Power comes on, and all of my preconceived impressions of the shows made up from the live streams and bootlegs immediately vanish. A standard setlist ensued, but it was a whirlwind and an awesome experience to be a part of. However, the driving thought for me throughout the night, from start to finish, was “I need to be on the floor”. Bring on night two…

    On night two, everything surprised me. I’m sure I don’t need to explain GA to people, but the show is simply incredible from the floor. It’s tight, the sound was significantly better, I could see the visuals and really appreciate how the whole stage design contributes to the show. Besides that, I think it’s pretty well agreed that we had a very special night. Longest set on record by number of songs played, and three fans on stage! I got to hear Party girl, and of course Bad/40 as the closer. More than I could ever have wished for from my second ever U2 show. Another huge surprise was of course the awesome post-show periscope, but you can all go back and view that one for yourself.

    Kieran: I couldn't have picked a better place to start my Innocence and Experience journey of eight shows. The second show, in particular, holds a special place high up in my U2 memory. The band were on fire, everything felt right. Getting 'Bad' was the real surprise, along with 'Party Girl'. But the former is a funny one. I kept half-joking with Ross because I had an inkling 'Bad' would be played because these shows were essentially an extension of Antwerp. I got shot down every time, and rightly so – it was predicted to be a staple set show of 'Still Haven't Found' ending and that's it. Then we got '40' too, and the spotlight that Bono was carrying at the end – it was just a magical moment all round.


    Did you like the stage and how it contributed to the whole show experience?

    Kieran: I thought it was superb. It's not necessary for U2 to upscale this show into stadiums. I suppose it might need to be done for U2 to play the likes of South America where they are in seriously high demand and can only play stadiums to meet that. It's wonderfully intimate, everything and everyone feels connected. The e-stage is a great idea for crowd interaction, but one of my favourite moments is the band members going inside of the stage. I loved 'Until the End of the World' and seeing The Edge right in front of me; also the first two songs of the second set with its impressive visuals. Also, kudos to the Zooropa-Streets segue, which sounds a million times better when you see it live.

    Ross: More research needed is my first thought. I was really beyond the reach of the stage for the first night, which I suppose one might chalk down as a drawback of the stage design, but hardly a major one given the price of those seats. From my position in GA, I had a pretty restricted view of the screen effects, but what I did see was emotive without distracting from the songs. There’s definitely something to be said for having all of this equipment and cutting-edge stage design, and then choosing to open the show with only an oversized light bulb. That contrast really added to the whole innocence motif. Oh, and shoutout to the tubes. Really loved them.

    Where were you standing or seating in the venue? How was your spot regarding the visuals and sound?

    Ross: We went in, first night, with seats right up the top of the arena (behind the e-stage). The view was distant, and I did feel a little detached from the experience. Whilst they did help to fill me in on the visuals I was missing, I can’t say that the little screens placed on either end of the stage really helped me feel any more “there”. It should also be said that the sound on night one was not the best; echoey and muddy. This could’ve be the fault of the setup that night, but I suspect it was another consequence of our location in the arena.

    Night two I was standing, and the sound was fantastic; no complaints, absolutely excellent. I was a little close to the rail to see the screen without stretching, but seeing the band walking a few feet in front of you more than makes up for that.

    Kieran: The first show was a bit disappointing, really. Not because of the band's performances, more because of the experience, funnily enough. We were seated in block 716, restricted viewing and tickets were only 35 EUR. Bargain. You could see the e stage perfectly. However the crowd around us was filled with people who couldn't care for the new songs, obviously couldn't see the visuals too well, and were evidently there for the hits. Besides that, they talked endlessly about garbage throughout the songs they weren't interested in, and constantly went off to buy alcohol. To add insult to injury, the sound was rather muffled and you couldn't really see the visuals. But they gave you a pro-shot screen to view so you weren't missing out. Well worth the price tag, obviously (not sarcasm, it really was worth it for 35 EUR).

    Night two was a total contrast. We were standing almost in the middle between the 'i' and the 'e', leaning more towards the 'i'. Great view for the early numbers, the end of set one and start of set two. You could see the visuals, you could see everything. The sound was top notch too.

    You travelled from Scotland to see these shows, is there a particular reason you chose this venue?

    Kieran: When shows were announced last December, which feels like an eternity, I didn't want to do just Glasgow. If I had known Belfast and Dublin was happening, I would not have bothered thinking about another city to go. The beauty of your favourite band touring is that you can also visit cities abroad as a tourist; so I took the opportunity to go to Cologne. This was the first time I had went to Germany, and I really enjoyed it. Very laidback, cultured and idyllic. I had little knowledge about the Lanxess Arena: all I knew about it was that U2 were playing there, and that it hosts ice hockey matches.

    Ross: I was invited along by Kieran, who I think was eyeing up either Cologne or Amsterdam. It’s good to get the experience from a different perspective, and of course it gives you the opportunity to visit a lovely new city in the process.

    What was the best performance of the concerts?

    Kieran: Everything was great, but if I to pick out one performance that stood out to me the most, I'd say 'Bad'. I just have to, I can't say differently. But honourable mention to 'Until the End of the World', which was fantastic.

    Ross: Difficult to say for sure. It was such a consistently good and strong show overall. I will mention Raised by Wolves as having a pretty strong impact, along with Electric Co / Out of Control. Really blew me away. Controversy warning: I left night two with a newfound appreciation for City of Blinding Lights, which until seeing it in person (specifically on night two) was a real bugbear for me on these shows.

    You'll both be attending more shows in Glasgow and Dublin, is there anything you'd like the band to change before then?

    Kieran: I actually have Belfast too, so six shows left. That last night in Cologne has raised the bar significantly. The band have 18 shows left and I'm not expecting much change. But from the six that I'm attending, I'd love to see 'Please' in Belfast, and 'A Sort of Homecoming' in Dublin. Anything new that I haven't seen before is welcomed, of course.

    As for being constructive, the only thing they need to mend is that encore. 'City of Blinding Lights' may work well, but 'Beautiful Day' is due a drop from the set. I don't know what can go in that set to replace it, but something fresh. I think, realistically, if they dropped 'With or Without You' to encore, that could work – then 'Pride' could end the main set. Gives an extra space in the encore, I suppose, but I'm usually an unrealistic sod so just slide in 'Love is Blindness' and I'll never bother anyone again, or even criticise the band on a touring level.

    Ross: I just want to see it all again. From different angles, and different places. I wish that NLOTH and Pop would see some love though. Moment of Surrender, Unknown caller, Gone, Last Night on Earth. They could all find homes on that stage. It’s a lot to ask for it seems, but I don't know why.

    --
    Thank you Kieran and Ross for participating!
  2. Awesome interview Kieran & Ross!

  3. A double interview, that's great Thanks Kieran and Ross! Top lads. Hoping to see you in some of the London post show periscopes and see how the London gigs compare to the obviously very special Köln2 show!

  4. Great stuff!

    my favorite quote being:
    Ross: I just want to see it all again. From different angles, and different places. I wish that NLOTH and Pop would see some love though. Moment of Surrender, Unknown caller, Gone, Last Night on Earth. They could all find homes on that stage. It’s a lot to ask for it seems, but I don't know why.
  5. Great reads! And the Please/ASOH idea
  6. Originally posted by LikeASong:A double interview, that's great Thanks Kieran and Ross! Top lads. Hoping to see you in some of the London post show periscopes and see how the London gigs compare to the obviously very special Köln2 show!
    I would love to be down in London for a couple of gigs but it just isn't possible. But Glasgow though!