This is why....

[incognitoyellow]

I will openly admit the main reason I bought Glastonbury tickets was to see U2. Whilst there are some similarly gutted as I am there are also a few people saying how delighted they are and that U2 are overated blah blah.

Please therefore, take the time to hop over to youtube, type 'U2 Where The Streets Have No Name Live At Slane Castle' click on the vid (its the 5m hits at present one. Dont know if we are allowed to post links to other sites on here?). Fine if you still dont like them and U2's music, no problem, but at least (I hope) you will see that they really are arguably the best live band in the world.

Ive seen U2 twice (17th bday and 21st) both times I took people who previously couldnt give a monkeys (or Gorilaz ) about the band, they were both converted before the end of the night due to the amazing performance.

Anyways, I heard a rumour (he he) that Fleetwood Mac may be making an appearance - any more news on that? Doubtful I guess but that would be great. Although I considered it, I wont be selling our tickets as although Im still devastated that U2 wont be there we will still have a fab time Im sure. And I'll just get saving to see U2 next year maybe!!!

[russycarps]

I will openly admit the main reason I bought Glastonbury tickets was to see U2. Whilst there are some similarly gutted as I am there are also a few people saying how delighted they are and that U2 are overated blah blah.

Please therefore, take the time to hop over to youtube, type 'U2 Where The Streets Have No Name Live At Slane Castle' click on the vid (its the 5m hits at present one. Dont know if we are allowed to post links to other sites on here?). Fine if you still dont like them and U2's music, no problem, but at least (I hope) you will see that they really are arguably the best live band in the world.

Ive seen U2 twice (17th bday and 21st) both times I took people who previously couldnt give a monkeys (or Gorilaz ) about the band, they were both converted before the end of the night due to the amazing performance.

Anyways, I heard a rumour (he he) that Fleetwood Mac may be making an appearance - any more news on that? Doubtful I guess but that would be great. Although I considered it, I wont be selling our tickets as although Im still devastated that U2 wont be there we will still have a fab time Im sure. And I'll just get saving to see U2 next year maybe!!!

[Digi]

Yay!! You've made the right choice - I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Psst - I openly admit - I bought in the resales on the back of U2 playing... Glastonbury was always something I was going to do 'next year'. Well, its nearly 'next year', I am stupidly excited, and i'm not *too* bothered about them not playing (ish) and neither are all the other U2 mates/fan/geeks/freaks/stalkers who I know who bought tickets on the back of them playing. We are going to have a great time!! Less than 4 weeks to go and I really need to go and try putting our tent up - tried it a couple of weeks ago in our garden and... it wouldn't fit! Oops!

I'm even more excited that tomorrow is payday which means I can get the last few bits and pieces I need!

[mandypants]

I still can't understand the thought behind buying a ticket for a festival simply on the merit of one band. To spend almost a week in a field simply because one band are playing seems like a false economy at best. Indeed, I am selling my Leeds ticket, despite QOTSA playing, because the rest of the weekend isn't to my personal taste (and my mates aren't going). I would rather invest the money in a QOTSA gig.

Glasto, on the other hand, is a different kettle of fish altogether. If there were only one band I liked over the whole weekend, I wouldn't care, because there's a million other things to have fun doing. So, imo, it's worth spending the money on regardless. And my mates are going

[Scott McNab]

You said that you had taken your friends to U2 gigs and they had been converted. Maybe by watching some other bands at Glastonbury you will be converted.

[Digi]

I still can't understand the thought behind buying a ticket for a festival simply on the merit of one band. To spend almost a week in a field simply because one band are playing seems like a false economy at best. Indeed, I am selling my Leeds ticket, despite QOTSA playing, because the rest of the weekend isn't to my personal taste (and my mates aren't going). I would rather invest the money in a QOTSA gig.

Glasto, on the other hand, is a different kettle of fish altogether. If there were only one band I liked over the whole weekend, I wouldn't care, because there's a million other things to have fun doing. So, imo, it's worth spending the money on regardless. And my mates are going

[incognitoyellow]

OK I watched it. I do like the song, and do like U2s older stuff quite a bit.

BUT

Nothing about that clip justifies you calling them the best live band in the world. What makes that live performance better than another band? They just stood there and sang the song in front of flashing lights. Nothing to set them apart from any other band whatsoever. It sounded exactly the same as the CD.

They are your favourite band, fine. But lay off the "best live band in the world" crap. It's farcical.

They are no better live than the likes of Muse. Probably inferior in fact (though I do much prefer U2's music to Muse).

[no1_foxymama]

You said that you had taken your friends to U2 gigs and they had been converted. Maybe by watching some other bands at Glastonbury you will be converted.

[MEGABOWL]

See, I liked U2 a lot more before I saw them live, when I thought they phoned it in. Nice stage set + band going through the motions = dull.

[russycarps]

Ta for watching. Ok, the bit that gets me is after the intro at about 1 min 4seconds into the video the crowd just go nuts. There was over 80,000 people there (i dont know how many the pyramid stage can accomodate?maybe about the same?). Also, I must admit that until I heard Streets live I actually didnt like the song. I still cant listen to it on CD - but live it really took my breath away. Until May 16th, seeing U2 sing Streets at twickenham in 2005 was the best moment in my life. (overtaken by my football team winning promotion at Wembley)

Not really a fan of Muse but heard great things about them live, so will prob see them on Sat (and my little sister would like a photo of them!).

Edited May 27, 2010 by russycarps

[DaftCat]

Seen U2 twice in '87 and '05 and they were great both times. I'm a big fan, and while I think they probably would have been fantastic at Glasto, I'm more excited about seeing Gorillaz. (Bought my tickets before U2 were confirmed btw, and can't fathom folk who bought Glasto tickets on the back of one band).

[sammysundae]

i can't understand why anyone would sell their glasto ticckets. i would have gone if every single act had pulled out and it was just 180,000 people camping in the sun for 5 days. it would still be wicked.

[ampersand]

i can't understand why anyone would sell their glasto ticckets. i would have gone if every single act had pulled out and it was just 180,000 people camping in the sun for 5 days. it would still be wicked.

[simonthecyclist]

i can't understand why anyone would sell their glasto ticckets. i would have gone if every single act had pulled out and it was just 180,000 people camping in the sun for 5 days. it would still be wicked.

[russycarps]

says the man (?) looking forward to the Flaming Lips....

why can't someone think they're the best band in the world? They're as 'eligible' as Muse, Flaming Lips, or anyone really

[doogleduck]

Anyways, I heard a rumour (he he) that Fleetwood Mac may be making an appearance - any more news on that? Doubtful I guess but that would be great.

[Cooter]

i can't understand why anyone would sell their glasto ticckets. i would have gone if every single act had pulled out and it was just 180,000 people camping in the sun for 5 days. it would still be wicked.

[doubledutch]

they really are arguably the best live band in the world.

[TheBigJT]

When I was a bit younger people used to say the Rolling Stones were the best live band in the world.

I thought about that statement a lot as a teenager and finally realized that I'd seen lots of bands, good and bad...and sometimes the good ones would have bad nights and the bad one's have good nights...so a blanket staetment of the best band could never be 100% accurate.

My theory was that on any given night there's a different "best live band in the world". Heck tonight it may be a bar band in Iowa who fanally have all the pieces click into place. Based on that I have spent most of may adult life going to concerts by the score.

I've seen lots of bands good and bad.

Many of the best ones are complete surprises that you don't expect...Ozomatli in a bar in San Diego, Billy Bacon and the Forbidden Pigs who tore the roof off a club one random night I saw them open for Los Lobos. Lynyrd Skynyrd (the real band in 1977), Barenaked Ladies, Oingo Boingo, the Blasters. Even the first time that I saw Springsteen in 1978 when I drove 100 miles on a whim and bought a ticket at the door to see what the buzz was about...

Music is art, not science. What touches us on moment may not the next...and we could never explain why.

Why try to pick a "best" anyway?

Enjoy the music and appreciate it more when it connects with your head and/or your heart.

[Wooderson]

Ta for watching. Ok, the bit that gets me is after the intro at about 1 min 4seconds into the video the crowd just go nuts. There was over 80,000 people there (i dont know how many the pyramid stage can accomodate?maybe about the same?). Also, I must admit that until I heard Streets live I actually didnt like the song. I still cant listen to it on CD - but live it really took my breath away. Until May 16th, seeing U2 sing Streets at twickenham in 2005 was the best moment in my life. (overtaken by my football team winning promotion at Wembley)

Not really a fan of Muse but heard great things about them live, so will prob see them on Sat (and my little sister would like a photo of them!).

[russycarps]

I got that...

they're pretty good...live

some people think they're the best.

[Beaver89]

Russy, Thanks for pointing out the Superbowl show. Really amazing impact. Spine-tingling yet unfortunately almost certainly 95% pre-recorded (ie except Bono)

The beautiful thing about music is that it is all subjective which is why I get fed up of people on here hurling abuse because someone says they like Coldplay or Snow Patrol or U2 or the Vengaboys. Ok that last one hasn't happened but the point stands.

As for judging a live act, again it is subjective but it is definitely something that can only be gauged by people who were there. It's all about the specific moment and the emotional response. For example Blur last year. They just got up and went through their greatest hits. Special? Yes. But what made it awesome was the crowd's response and the band's response to the crowd. Without getting all soppy about it is all about emotions and one can no sooner say one performance was better than another any more than they can say which is the best song ever written as it is all down to the individual and how they react to it.

Hell, why do we go to Glasto? For the atmosphere, cider and up to 30 great live performances each brilliant for their own merit. Muse will rip apart the Pyramid with Knights of Cydonia and Plug in Baby whilst earlier in the day Seasick Steve will wow us with what he can do with just one, out of tune string.

I saw U2 last year at Wembley. The show on that stage is incredible but was it the best live show I have ever seen? Not really. It is up there but so many others are ona par on all manners of scale.

Roll on Gorillaz I say!

[mouth]

I will openly admit the main reason I bought Glastonbury tickets was to see U2. Whilst there are some similarly gutted as I am there are also a few people saying how delighted they are and that U2 are overated blah blah.

Please therefore, take the time to hop over to youtube, type 'U2 Where The Streets Have No Name Live At Slane Castle' click on the vid (its the 5m hits at present one. Dont know if we are allowed to post links to other sites on here?). Fine if you still dont like them and U2's music, no problem, but at least (I hope) you will see that they really are arguably the best live band in the world.

Ive seen U2 twice (17th bday and 21st) both times I took people who previously couldnt give a monkeys (or Gorilaz ) about the band, they were both converted before the end of the night due to the amazing performance.

Anyways, I heard a rumour (he he) that Fleetwood Mac may be making an appearance - any more news on that? Doubtful I guess but that would be great. Although I considered it, I wont be selling our tickets as although Im still devastated that U2 wont be there we will still have a fab time Im sure. And I'll just get saving to see U2 next year maybe!!!

[thelizardking]

Anyways, I heard a rumour (he he) that Fleetwood Mac may be making an appearance - any more news on that? Doubtful I guess but that would be great.

[OneLittleFish]

For me, the greatest live band around are headlining Sunday at the Glade