Wow!
Resting up from a quick trip to and from Houston, Texas last night to see four Irish lads and their space station (aka U2‘s 360 World Tour).
I didn’t think I’d get to see this show. When the tickets went on sale I wasn’t wanting to spend the money to get “good seats” for the show in Dallas and also couldn’t justify spending $30 a ticket + $30 parking and all the extra Ticket Master fees to see them at Jerry World in Arlington (and from the reviews I’m glad I didn’t go with the cheap seats).
But last week my best friend called and offered his extra ticket to see the band perform in Houston – and what a night!
I’ve only seen U2 live one other time — on the third leg of their Elevation World Tour — in Dallas at the old Reunion Arena.
Seeing the largeness that was the 360 Stadium Tour vs that of the smaller arena venue, it’s hard to compare the two shows. On one hand, sitting on the first level of an arena, you really feel close to the band. The video screens are almost unnecessary. On the other hand, sitting on the first level of a stadium, we were at least 75 yards away from the band if not further and the video screens were a must, especially with the smoke and lights blinding the stage from a distance.
But what a video screen it was! A 360 screen that wrapped around the band’s massive set, with video merging and blending images of the band non-stop. To top that off, the screen extended down from it’s high perch and nearly stretched from the top of the claw to the bottom when the band pulled our The Unforgettable Fire from the archives.
Some have compared the U2 shows as “having church with X thousands of people.” In many ways I could see that, but for me the show didn’t fit that description. 5-10 years ago, I probably would have agreed. Perhaps my definition of church has evolved or maybe my idea of a U2 show has evolved as well.
But I will say that the show was a very beautiful and communal experience. Not as much with the band, who were dwarfed by the massive set — but with those sitting and standing around me — all 50-60-70 thousand people that were there.
I often found myself losing track of what was taking place on stage and simply being caught up in the moment of people singing, dancing and enjoying the music that has lifted their souls for so many years.
The massiveness of the stage helped me/allowed me to take some of my focus off the band and see the humanity that surrounded me. I felt a much greater intimacy with those enjoying the concert than I did with the band. We had community because of our shared experience and passion for the music. Whereas on the Elevation tour, it was easy to ignore those around me and experience a greater intimacy with the band.
But there’s a lot to be said for that. And perhaps that’s the greater calling of “the Church.” To take our focus away from what’s happening on the stage and to focus on the humanity that’s living and breathing around us. To be the Body of Christ to our sphere of influence.
Even before the show we quickly made friends with several folks sitting around us — sharing our own unique U2 experiences and sharing life. To me, there was more church happening in those moments than during the actual live show.
There’s no doubt there’s a spiritual awareness that takes place at a U2 show but I know there were many there that might not have a clue as to what that awareness or presence is. As Greg Garrett writes, there are many who are completly ignorant to U2’s spiritual message and then others who see it on multiple levels.
“Let him who has ears, hear.”
But all in all it was an amazing experience and one I’m glad to have shared with my best friend, Matt, and the packed house in Houston at the Reliant Stadium.
…And I’m sure it will be in stark contrast to tonight, when I join Laurie, my sister and brother-in-law in seeing needtobreathe live at the Dallas House of Blues.
The full set was (via u2gigs.com):
1. Breathe
2. Get On Your Boots
3. Magnificent
4. Mysterious Ways
5. Beautiful Day / Here Comes The Sun (snippet)
6. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet)
7. Stuck In A Moment
8. No Line On The Horizon
9. Elevation
10. Your Blue Room
11. Until The End Of The World
12. The Unforgettable Fire
13. City Of Blinding Lights
14. Vertigo
15. Crazy Tonight / Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet)
16. Sunday Bloody Sunday
17. MLK
18. Walk On / You’ll Never Walk Alone (snippet)
Encore(s):
19. One / Amazing Grace (snippet)
20. Where The Streets Have No Name
21. Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
22. With Or Without You
23. Moment of Surrender
See all the other photos on Flickr.
For closeups of the band, check out Nathan Malone’s great photos from floor level.
