U2 at TCF Bank Stadium 23 July 2011 (Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Survive A Miserable Show)
After a long delay of one year (due to Bono injuring his back), U2 finally got to play their massive 360 Tour show in Minneapolis at the new home to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, TCF Bank Stadium. As you can see by my photo, the set was massive!
My friend Heather and I got there at the tail end of the Interpol set and we scoped out the stadium. I had never been there before and am now looking forward to taking my son to a Gopher football game at some point in the future..hopefully this fall!
Once we took our seats, I knew straight away that we might be in some trouble with the couple sitting next to us. They both seemed ripped to the tits on some sort of intoxicant and the woman proceeded to get overly friendly with me almost immediately. Normally, I don’t necessarily mind this but she was dumber than a sack of hammers. I tried to avoid eye contact with her but she kept doing odd things like putting her head on my shoulder for no reason whatsoever. The guy with her just laughed and, sadly, was even less intelligent than her. He reminded me of one of the characters from Idiocracy if that gives you an idea of what I was dealing with right before the show started.
At about 9pm, the lights went down and the woman with the attraction to my shoulder proceeded to scream at the top of her lungs, “WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.” And that’s exactly how many “O’s” it was. It seemed to go on forever.
She did this for the entire show. Every fucking song…but hey, that’s show business.
As she was piercing my inner ear drum, I settled in to enjoy the lads from Dublin for the seventh time in my concert going career. The first few songs were from Achtung Baby and they sounded great. As they were doing “I Will Follow,” the rain started to come. At first it was just a drizzle but by “Pride” it was pouring. I had brought a rain coat but it really didn’t help. Within about five minutes, my Chucks were filled with about an inch of water and between that, the screaming idiot next to me, and the fact that my view of the stage was blocked by a spot light tower, I was miserable. To get an idea of how hard it was raining, check out the video below.
I started to wonder if I was pulling a Murtaugh but quickly dismissed that notion as I love being at shows at First Ave with all sorts of craziness and problems. Perhaps it was the ginormousness of the show or the aforementioned problems but I just wasn’t into it. Sure, there were bits and pieces of coolness. “Zooropa” was wonderful and brought back many memories of my life during the early 90s. “Scarlet” was a rare treat as October is one of my two favorite U2 albums (the other being The Unforgettable Fire). During “One” we all got to see a home movie (on the huge screens) of U2 cavorting in a Trabant in East Germany during the Achtung Baby sessions in 1990-91. That really was mega!
For the most part, though, it sucked. But that was OK. Sometimes you have to have a miserable show to remind you how great the other ones are. They can’t all be perfect and a craptacular one every so often really sets the perspective. Even with all the bullshit, the show last night was still better than the Pop show in 1997.
And does it really have to be all about me? Heather was a ball to hang out with throughout the whole evening and I saw some other friends over the course of the night who were a blast. They all had fun…which is very important to me. Even the woman next to me made me laugh when, after her 89th “WOOOOOOOOOO” resulted in a few cold Scandinavian stares, she remarked, “Hey, I have lungs people!!!”
My left ear understood that all to well. It’s still ringing.
The Friday Five: July 22, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Rewrite” by Paul Simon (from So Beautiful or So What, 2011)
There aren’t enough hours in the day to listen to Simon’s latest record as much as I’d like. “Rewrite” is just one of the many reasons why.
“Another Lonely Christmas” by Prince & The Revolution (from 12″ Archive 2.0, 2001)
Christmas in July? With temperatures across the country reaching well into the triple digits, I’d bet everyone could stand a little holiday cheer to remind them that snow and sub-zero temperatures that’ll be here in just six short months. There’s not much cheer to be found here, though.
“Legs (dance-enhancing version)” by ZZ Top (from Greatest Hits, 1992)
I know, I know … what is “Legs” without the video, right?
That’s better, right?
“The Scientist” by Johnette Napolitano & Danny Lohner (from Wicker Park, 2004)
Take the already haunting Coldplay cut, amp it up with the incomparable vocals of Concrete Blonde’s Johnette Napolitano, and you’ve got yourself a perfect cover.
“[silence]” by Nine Inch Nails (from Broken, 1992)
They say silence is golden. I swear, this is the next track that shuffled up, though I feel like I might be cheating you guys. Maybe I should elucidate on just how … oh, forget it. I used the word elucidate and I want to kick my own ass right now.
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: July 15, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Behind the Wheel (Vince Clark remix)” by Depeche Mode (from Remixes 2: 81-11, 2011)
Both Vince Clarke and Alan Wilder make appearances on this second remix collection from Depeche Mode.
“Kept” by Matt Nathanson (from Modern Love, 2011)
I first discovered Matt Nathanson through his appearance on Live From Daryl’s House; and no sooner completely forgot about him. Save for his big hit “Come on Get Higher,” I’d be hard pressed to name another song. His new record, however, is quite good.
“Baba O’Riley” by Pearl Jam (from Live at the Gorge 05/06, 2007)
This is probably my favorite Pearl Jam cover. I remember buying a bootleg import back in the early ’90s that closed with an insanely raw version of the tune.
“Colonized Mind” by Prince (from Lotus Flow3r, 2009)
ZZzz …
“Michelle (1965 stereo mix)” by The Beatles (from Rubber Soul, 2009)
Let me take this space to express my extreme jealousy of those of you getting to see Macca at Yankee Stadium this weekend.
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: July 8, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning)” by Vertical Horizon (from Everything You Want, 1999)
I particularly like the version of this that Vertical Horizon leader Matt Scannell and Richard Marx perform on their Duo Live record.
“The Warrior (feat. Patty Smyth)” by Scandal (from Rock of the 80’s, Volume 14, 1994)
I never understood the whole “featuring Patty Smyth” thing. It struck me much in the same way as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. I mean, is it Maze without Frankie Beverly?
“Soundtrack” by The Damnwells (from One Last Century, 2009)
After you leave your Five in the comments, you should check out this excellent live performance by Alex of The Damnwells.
“Everything She Wants” by Wham! (from Make It Big, 1984)
I’m far less ashamed to admit my love for Wham! now, than I was when I was 10.
“Heart and Soul” by Huey Lewis & The News (from Time Flies… The Best of Huey Lewis & The News, 1996)
It’s, like, a totally awesome ’80s one-two punch to close out this week’s Friday Five!
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: July 1, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Everything Is Fair” by A Tribe Called Quest (from The Low End Theory, 1991)
I don’t know if this cut stands up well on its own, but when listened to in the course of the record, it’s all sorts of hot. The Low End Theory is a record that just reminds me of summer.
“Village of the Sun” by The Mothers of Invention (from Roxy & Elsewhere, 1974)
Music is the best!
“Edge of the Blade” by Journey (from Frontiers, 1983)
Pretty standard, early ’80s AOR fare from the masters of the craft. I dig Schon’s guitar playing here.
“Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare” by Matt & Kim (from Grand, 2009)
New school summertime jam!
“32 Pennies” by Warrant (from Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, 1989)
I’d be embarrassed, but I dig this tune.
What’s on your shuffle today?
The Friday Five: June 24, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa (from The Hip Hop Box, 2004)
What ever happened to Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor?
“Seeing Things” by The Black Crowes (from Shake Your Money Maker, 1990)
Any group that can successfully cop the soul and emotion—not to mention the chord progression—of Otis’ “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember,” and manage to do it well? Well, shit … they can do no wrong in my book. I don’t recall hearing this on the radio, despite it being a single.
“Love Is” by Chrisette Michelle (from I Am, 2007)
A perfectly simple declaration of love. The mainstream is still sleeping on Chrisette Michelle, which boggles my mind. She’s got jazz chops for days with the ability to rock a mainstream R&B track with the rest of them.
“Through Glass” by Amy Petty (from House of Doors, 2010)
One of my favorite records of last year, this song still rocks me to my core.
“Beat It” by Michael Jackson (from Number Ones, 2003)
Tomorrow is the second anniversary of Michael’s passing. It’s strange to think that we live in a world without Michael Jackson. A figure that had been omnipresent—for better, or for worse—in all of our lives for the better part of the last 35 years, it is still odd to realize he’s gone. Tomorrow I’ll undoubtedly pull out the entire catalog and hit the shuffle button, letting fate lead me through his incredible discography.
What’s on your shuffle today?
My Morning Jacket Mania
[BUY Circuital]
The last few weeks have brought on a pretty substantial My Morning Jacket-athon in my end of the world. I watched their entire Bonnaroo set (most of it with my 5 year old daughter, who dubbed them “My Morning Sweater” until the “Jacket” finally caught on); I caught the full 3 hour show from Louisville they recently performed for Amex’s Unstaged series; I caught their Mountain Jam set, their new VH-1 Storytellers special; and basically, I’ve been immersing myself in their new album Circuital, for which my fondness has been growing exponentially along with the temperature here in Arizona (113 degrees tomorrow, yow)…
Seeing them on their Z tour almost five years ago locked them in as one of my favorite bands- and as we’re wont to do with our favorites, we always revolve back around at points throughout our lives to a full-on listening mania. So that’s where I am right now.
Here’s a couple from the UNSTAGED gig. You can’t catch all 3 hours anymore, but they do have 30 minutes up, which I would heartily recommend.
Here’s “Smokin From Shootin” – beyond the amazing build up and powerful release that this song has, what I find cool is how Jim James can put all of his heart and soul into singing the lyrics, while simultaneously playing those sparse, meaningful guitar riffs. Fun to watch & hear…
“Wonderful (The Way I Feel)” with Daniel Martin Moore | MMJ can be one of the loudest, most ferocious rock n roll bands out there, but they can soften it up as well as anyone, and with high soft vocals of Jim James , it makes for some of the sweetest music out there (speaking of beauty, whoever didn’t see Jim (or Yim) sing “All the Best” with John Prine on Letterman, go hither too). This is beautiful, and Daniel Martin Moore’s contribution makes me want to track down some of his stuff too).
And ooh look, here’s the Mountain Jam set – fuzzy white moonboots and all…
The Friday Five: June 17, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Last Chance” by Maroon 5 (from Hands All Over, 2010)
I was severely underwhelmed by this record. Given its pedigree, you would expect more, but I found myself pondering that age-old question: “where’s the beef?”
“Severed Hand” by Pearl Jam (from Pearl Jam, 2006)
I listened to this record earlier this week and was reminded just how much I dig it.
“Welcome to the Club” by The Brothers Johnson (from Blast!, 1982)
Get down with the git down!
“Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit” by Wu-Tang Clan (from Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, 1993)
Form like Voltron!
“The Marrying Kind” by Prince (from Musicology, 2004)
This one is incomplete with out it’s funkier sister “If Eye Was the Man in Ur Life.” As a matter of face, I’m switching off the shuffle now.
What’s on your shuffle today?
Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three
Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three play old timey western swing straight out of the 1920’s and 30’s. There’s something about this NPR Tiny Desk concert with Pokey and his boys that make me smile. It’s downright captivating and joyful. What’s old is new…
Looking forward to seeing ol’ Pokey at the Newport Folk Festival in July!
The Friday Five: June 10, 2011
Friday Five : ‘frī-(,)dā,-dē ‘fīv : On the sixth day of every week, I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes, then share the first five tracks and thought for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, occasionally we’ll have a guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
“Wednesday Week” by Elvis Costello & The Attractions (from Armed Forces, 197)
Holy mid-tune break down, Batman!
“Midnight in a Perfect World (FUSO mix)” by DJ Shadow (from The DJ Shadow Remix Project, 2010)
I remember the arrival of Shadow’s Endtroducing….. in 1996. I was working at a record store—and when I say record store, I mean a record store—and recall spinning the disc twice daily, trying to figure out how in the hell this guy was able to patch together elements from disparate sources into cohesive, and damn funky, tunes. Remember, these were the days before technology made it easy. I’m still in awe.
“Lullabye” by Ben Folds Five (from The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner, 1999)
I’ve never been much of a fan of Folds’ music. This tune, however, is lovely.
“Lay Me Down” by The Frames (from For the Birds, 2001)
Somewhere between The Commitments and The Swell Season, Glen Hansard was plenty busy putting out quality records with his band, The Frames.
“Factory” by Band of Horses (from Infinite Arms, 2010)
This week’s five came in like a lion, and is going out a lamb with the mellow lead-off track from Band of Horses’ latest, Infinite Arms.
What’s on your shuffle today?