Dublin and the U2 Joshua Tree Tour 2017 (part 2)

We arrived in Dublin after a bit of a nightmareish Ryanair departure from Manchester. They announced over the tannoy that it was the last boarding call for the Dublin flight. When we got to the gate everyone was waiting, and waiting and waiting for at least an hour, no one told us that the plane had been delayed in Dublin and was not even in Manchester yet (we found out later!) Eventually we boarded and before we knew it we were back in Dublin on a pleasant evening. We caught a taxi to our accommodation, which was lovely and larger than it looked from the photos and a good location. As usual on our arrival evening we got the shopping in from a nearby Tescos, ate in and had some wine. 

July 20th

We were woken far too early by building work going on beside our apartment. We had an easy day and then later Debbi and I split up, she went to meet a friend and I went to Dun Laoghiare to see friends Ken and Elizabeth. As I travelled south on the DART Dublin Bay looked beautiful. calm and blue on this lovely summer evening. I had good night with my friends, as usual Elizabeth had laid on a good spread, which unfortunately, due to my stomach problems, I couldn't eat as much of as I would have liked to.  

July 21stWe went to Bewley's Cafe Theatre (which is still being held in the Powerscourt Townhouse while Bewley's is being renovated) to see To Hell in a Handbag. A very funny play about the secret lives of a rector and a governess inspired by Oscar Wilde. We had delicious mushroom soup and the best soda bread in Dublin as we watched the play. This was going to be our lazy day, we always have one when we are way, we just drift from pub to pub and chilling out. We first went to The Octagan Bar in the Clarence Hotel to sample their Joshua Tree cocktail, specially created for this U2 tour, it was delicious. Next stop was O'Neill's pub, a large place over three floors with lots of nooks and crannies. We ordered some chips (the best in Dublin) and some onion rings, strange combination but it was what we fancied! We had a long wait but it was worth it, the chips were proper chips, big and tasty and the onion rings huge and crispy, very yummy. Our next stop was The Brazen Head pub, the oldest pub in Dublin, but it was heaving so we left and walked the short distance back to our apartment.

July 22nd

Showtime! First we stopped off at The Study at The Clarence Hotel and had coffee, and I ordered a scone. First off we had to ask at reception to be served, then waited ages for the simple order. Then I had to ask for sugar for the coffee and also pointed out that I should have had whipped cream with my scone as per the menu. The waiter left then came back and said said they had no cream (??!!) and would I like something else like honey - yuck not with a scone thank you! I said that wasn't very good and could I have a discount, again the server left and came back and said no, the price is for the scone and the jam and cream are extras! I was dumbfounded, how ridiculous was that? The server was very nice, it wasn't his fault, but it was terrible service for a simple order. Finally we again had to go to reception for them to call someone so we could pay, the Clarence isn't what it once was.

We got a taxi which dropped us off as near to Croke Park where the U2 gig was going to be. It was already quite busy and we bumped into our friends Declan, Jane and Sharon. Declan was actually on holiday in Portugal and had come back to Ireland and was flying back to Portugal the next morning, that's dedication for you!

Our seats were really good, and shortly before U2 were due to be on we were joined by our friend Paddy. This show had a lot of energy from the band and the audience. The set list was simlar to London, Bono added a it of America on the end of Bad instead of Bowie's Heroes which I felt did not work as well, Heroes was perfect. As the band started playing the Joshua Tree songs with Where the Streets Have No Name, the Irish Flying Corps flew over the stadium trailing smoke in the colours of the Irish flag, very impressive! Only U2 could pull that off. Half way through the Joshua Tree Bono said, "Welcome to side two of the Joshua Tree Cassette," Which made me smile, some of the younger people there wouldn't even know what a cassette was! The show was amazing, once again Exit was the highlight for me. I was sad when it finished as this was to be our last show of this tour.

Paddy, Debbi and  Me in our Seats

After the show we met up briefly with Declan, Jane and Sharon again, then Paddy went off to have a drink with a few friends and was coming to our place later, whilst Debbi and I went off looking for a taxi home. There was absolutely no chance of getting a taxi and we ended up almost home by time we found one. We were exhausted when we got into our apartment and almost kissed the floor with relief! I'd barely put the pizza on when Paddy arrived, he'd left after an hour with his friends and got a taxi easily!

We had a lovely night putting the world to rights, discussing  an eclectic mix of Trump (Paddy lives in America), genealogy, art, and guns to name a few subjects. Paddy left at 6.30am and we crashed at 7am, we are real rock chicks lol!


July 23rd
Got up in the afternoon and later we went to the Octagon bar to meet our friends Jane and Sharon, we were sad that our friend Dianne hadn't been able to come due to travel problems, but I'm sure she was with us in spirit. Another friend Patty joined us for a while too, it was good to catch up with everyone. Debbi and I had another Joshua Tree cocktail but this one was totally different to the one we had the other day! Afterwards we had an early night as we were off home the next day.

The Homecoming Part 2, U2 360 In Dublin 27th July

When we got up at noon after going to bed at 5am we were actually relieved that we were not going to the 360 show that evening! I never thought I'd say that but it's true, I was knackered, felt like I'd been on a marathon or something. But the previous day I'd got up at 4am, travelled to Ireland, found our accommodation, got to Croke Park, stood for over two hours, was emotionally drained, then got home and drank alcohol, ate and chatted until 5am, no wonder I was weary! I decided in future I would arrive in Dublin the day before the gig, I have to pace myself nowadays LOL!

So we had a lovely leisurely weekend and by Monday I was raring to go again. Once more we got the bus from Bewley's Hotel to Croke Park. Our seats were cheaper this time and in the top tier, I thought I'd never get there, trudging up flight after flight of steps - I'd forgotten about all those! Our seats were a bit vertigo inducing initially, but once people sat in front of us it felt better. We still were quite near the claw, kind of looking down on it this time (yeah that's how high we were!).

Sunset Over The Claw

We caught the support band The Script's set. I really like quite a few of their songs and wasn't disappointed in them live. The singer has a great voice and many of the songs were familiar. They were incredibly popular with the audience and seemed overcome by the reception they got. It's good to see U2 giving a new, young Irish band a chance to support them, with all the publicity that gives them.

U2 took the stage at about 8.45pm and launched into the usual quartet of songs from the new album that they starts the show with. I'm loving No Line On The Horizon more and more. My only complaint during this song is that there is too much of "horizons" on the video screen, we need to see the band more as they play this song.

That night they did New Year's Day which was good to hear once more. They also did Stay a favourite of mine but unfortunately Bono was struggling with his voice a bit during it. Unknown Caller was in the set again, and again it just leaves me cold - except for Edge's wonderful guitar solo at the end which is amazing!

I have finally decided I really like the remix version of Crazy, though I would also love to hear the album version played live too.

The video screen was different for Vertigo, it compressed and came down very close to the stage and by the end of the song was spinning, or the image was spinning should I say, at breakneck speed giving a great effect. Anyone close to it would feel dizzy I think if it was that effective even from our viewpoint.

At one point Bono asked how many foreigners were in the stadium at least half the crowd, including us four, put up their hands! "There can't be that many!" Bono exclaimed then he started reading banners he could see, "Brazil, Germany, ......" It just shows that a U2 concert in Dublin is truly an international get-together and shows how U2's music crosses borders of countries and differences of language.

We got Bad again a real surprise! The encore was excellent again the screen came very low for Ultraviolet and Bono tested the mic lead by almost swinging on it. With Or Without You was once more done very theatrically with Bono being drawn by the movements of the hanging mic. The closer as usual was Moment of Surrender.

The cameras stayed on the band members as they left the stage and walked down the steps to the backstage area, a nice touch.

Once more Bono didn't get anyone on stage which was disappointing. It always seems like he has the whole audience up there when he does that, which instigates a closeness, a connection that feels very real, and I miss it.

I am not sure about the stage set up either. The outer walkway has not been used that much in the three concerts I've seen. Sometimes it's like band member go on the bridges, maybe go onto the walkway do a few steps then go back on stage. They don't seem to be using it well. Maybe it's because it is so big? But I felt that it almost is like a barrier around the band rather than something that makes band and audience feel closer as intended. If they used it more or there was a B stage attached to it that might feeling we have might change. Also, perhaps it feels different if you are nearer to it - we'll be able to test that theory when we are in the Red Zone.

This show was not as emotional as Friday's, I didn't feel dazed and drained when I left. Also it was a little spoiled for us by what Dianne called "Upper stadium annoyances." The crowd around us sat a lot (yeah I know it's hard to believe!) and complained when we stood up, so we spent quite a lot of the show sitting. Luckily at some points during the show people in front of us stood up so we did too and no one could complain as it was the only way we could see then. We had aisle seats and so people were going back and fore, back and fore for the entire gig which drives me nuts!!

So, all in all, a good show, but in my view it wasn't anywhere near as touching and special as Friday's.

The Homecoming Part One, U2 360 In Dublin 24th July 2009

After a very early start Debbi and I landed at Dublin airport at 9am and met up with our friend Julie. We picked up our hire car and drove to Bewleys Hotel in Ballsbridge where Dianne had been staying - coming from the US she had flown in the night before.

We had lunch at Bewleys and then drove to the house we had rented for the eight days we were in the city. It was a lovely house close to Lansdowne Road Rugby Ground (which is being renovated at the moment, looks like it'll be an amazing venue when it opens next year).

Whilst at Bewleys we noticed that you could get a bus from there to Croke Park which was really handy for us as our house wasn't too far from Bewleys either. We piled on the bus with all the other fans and headed off.

Croke is in a very residential area and so the crowds thronged the narrow streets as they made their way to the stadium. It felt almost like a market with sale people shouting out what wares they were selling - you could buy almost anything. We passed a pub close to the stadium and it was heaving, standing about 20 deep outside so God knows what it was like inside! What a nightmare.

We got to our seats, Hogan stand right opposite the claw, great seat. We'd arrived after the support bands had been on, the vibe in the stadium was electric..... "Ground control to Major Tom....." here we go!

Larry did the Breathe intro and suddenly U2 were on stage. The song rocked, but I'd love to see them try opening with Magnificent I think the long intro of that song would work brilliantly to open a show. The second song was was No Line which was fantastic, I just love the part after Bono's soft singing where the whole band crashes in at "Traffic cop...." This is still my favourite song from the new album.

As the band started at around 8.45pm it was very light for about half of the concert so the full effect of the claw and lighting was lost, that was a shame. But it didn't affect the show much, the emotion was palpable, both within the crowd and Bono, the band were enjoying being back home and the audience showed their pride and love of U2.

Again they played the remix version of Crazy which I am growing to really like. Larry's wonderful drumming gives it a primal, African feel. Though I like this version, I find it strange that the band are playing this live yet are releasing the album version of the song as the next single.

The Unforgettable Fire was stunning, both musically and visually as the video screen slowly lengthened and showed images that complemented the song perfectly.

Bono talked about being Irish and, referring to the recession, said that they would rise once more. He said that the Irish were a sexy people "..... In our own way" LOL! The band sang The Auld Triangle (dedicated to Ronnie Drew). Bono struggled with the words as only he can , but it still went down very well with the crowd who all sung along. I love it when the band do an Irish song like that, it always creates such a special feeling.

Then, towards the end of the main set they did a snippet of 40 followed by those instantly recognisable simple opening notes of Bad. Debbi and I screamed out loud, it's our favourite U2 song and so long since we'd heard it live and here it was! And boy was it fantastic, it seemed everyone in the audience was singing along, which is amazing when you think that this song is 25 years old and was never a big hit or even released as a single. But it is the quintessential U2 song and is ageless. My friends and I just stood transfixed, tissues in hands to dab away the tears.

The encore was the usual one, Ultraviolet with Bono in his "suit of lights" which didn't really work that well, I don't see the point of it to be honest. With Or Without You was done a little differently from Nice. Bono sang it to the steering wheel-like microphone which moved in a slow dance with Bono following as if he was hypnotised and controlled by it. He swung it away and it always came back, always held him, as if it had a power over him - can he live with the music/fame, can he live without it? Very, very effective.

The final song was Moment Of Surrender, which was done well and sounded good, but I'm not 100% convinced it's the right song to close the show.

Then that was it all over. We left the stadium and initially said very little because it was one of those very emotional shows that leaves you happily drained and it takes time to be able to get yourself together. The power of U2!

We waited to see if we could catch the band leaving for a while and we bumped into our friend Declan. He had been on holiday in Portugal but had come home for a few days to see all three shows then he was off back to Portugal! He has fixed holidays at work and so couldn't change them. Now that's dedication for you.

We eventually left without seeing any of the band and got a taxi home. As has become a kind of tradition for us now, once we were home we were tucking into pizza and quaffing champagne until the early hours!

Rumour - Dublin U2 Tour Dates?

I know I shouldn't bite when it isn't official, but I can't resist this rumour! On the @U2 Forum they are saying that an Irish newspaper and 2fm have said that the Irish dates for the next U2 tour in Dublin are 24, 25 and 26 July at Croke Park. They are also saying that the tour opens in Barcelona and will also play Paris, Nice, London and Manchester. I wish the band would announce the tour dates, so I can get my travels sorted for this year!