What do the hardcore U2 fans think?

[BlackHole2006]

Not a hardcore U2 fan as such but I really really loved it. I was the right type of drunk (Merry and loving life) I didn't give a shit about the rain or anything for that matter and was completely into it the whole way though. Played all the songs of there's that I love and some that I didn't expect to hear, them and Morrissey were one of the highlights of my weekend. Went absolutely nuts when they played The Fly...

[Bobser]

I was at that Blur gig and didn't think much of it. Coldplay were excellent on Saturday night. Definitely one of the best performances Ive seen in the 4 times I've been. It was much better than U2, and I'm not a massive Coldplay fan.

However, I'm starting to loosen my original opinion of the U2 gig. It was decent and not crap as I originally stated. A lot went against them but they have to take the share of the blame too.

[LusciousLucy]

Watching it back on the Iplayer and it comes across as a soggy singalong with not a great deal of energy coming from the performers. The crowd looks happy enough and yes, had the weather been better then perhaps there would have been a bit more atmosphere but everyone was beginning to get on their knees with tolerance by 11pm Friday evening.

Whoever just commented that Coldplay have headlined 2 or 3 times previous AND they have such love for the festival, that was always going to come across in the performance. Had U2 played the previous year, maybe it would have gone down a bit better. They did well enough though.

Not sure if they are really 'Glasto' though but they did it, they wont be doing it again I should think. Some headliners are winners others arent. There wasnt people leaving in their droves compared to the Gorillaz which is something to be said.

The ISS link up was prerecorded but pretty cool all the same. U2 have had their day now, this was certainly a swansong but they were better than some previous headliners (eg Arctics).

Bring on the GAGA in 2013!!!

[paulo999]

Torcs4... Thanks for the analysis. It's not often one reads something that intelligent and insightful in the music press, never mind a music forum.

Ever thought of being a music journo?

[The Nal]

I'm still baffled as to why people loved Blur so much. The singing is horrible, the songs? ok if you like that sort of thing....

[Bristol Boy]

Am I the only person who expected When Love Comes To Town and a BB King guest slot?

[Wooderson]

Yeah I'm not a big blur fan either. The thought of people considering the song from the British gas ad as an all time glasto highlight is very odd to me.

They certainly had the crowd going though.

[robsmith82]

Wanted to see them my whole life and they were the primary reason I wnt to my first Glastonbury this year. I knew when I bought my ticket they would be nailed on the play.

Two things ruined it somewhat.

I was just in front of the semi circle barrier so quite close, and the crowd just weren't into it enough! I don't know if it was the rain or what, but I'd drank enough beers that I didnt even notice it. I eventually found a rabble of 5 drunked lads to jump around with like idiots and scream back the songs at the top of my voice, but I wish the whole crowd were on the same wavelength. Too many people let hatred of Bono get in the way of enjoying one of the greatest rock bands ever.

The other was the sound! It was ok ish for the first few songs ( real thing was immense!) but then it seemed to drop off hugely. Bonos vocal was especially quiet. Theres no excuse for this. Wu Tang Clan blew the metaphorical roof off with their base, so why not u2?

[Wooderson]

Am I the only person who expected When Love Comes To Town and a BB King guest slot?

Edited July 1, 2011 by Wooderson

[Gnomicide]

It was only the 5th time I've seen U2 so not sure if you could call me a die hard fan but the times I've seen them have been spread out.

1983

1989

1993

2001

2011

Out of them I'd say it ranks 3rd, behind 1989 (Paris dontchaknow) and 2001 in Manchester.

The only real problems were the sound and the rain. The rain I could live with but it was way too quiet. Lack of volume can really hamper a gig. The last one I remember this bad was Bruce at Manchester Old Tr****rd. I want ot hear the band, not the crowd.

I had thought it was because I was too close and sometimes the sound can pass over you but reading the other posts, this doesn't seem to have been the case.

Still had a great time though.

[ThomThomDrum]

Sarcasm wooderson will not do when it comes to the Blur gig! It was too special for that sort of chat!

[ThomThomDrum]

Sarcasm wooderson will not do when it comes to the Blur gig! It was too special for that sort of chat!

[mamoo_51]

I don't know if it was the rain or what, but I'd drank enough beers that I didnt even notice it.

[manateemike]

Having watched it on tv it seems to me it was all very clean and rehearsed.

Bit clinical.

[mamoo_51]

Having watched it on tv it seems to me it was all very clean and rehearsed.

Bit clinical.

[Wooderson]

Sarcasm wooderson will not do when it comes to the Blur gig! It was too special for that sort of chat!

[ThomThomDrum]

Agreed brother. Apologies. I just puff out the cheeks with exasperation sometimes.

[Wooderson]

No worries bro........tis all gud! I know how you feel about that gig......just seemed odd to read that post. Hope ya had a good one this year BTW. I have been missing from this forum for too long recently.

[ThomThomDrum]

Learned my lesson mate. Honest.

It was a dogshite gig though, really.

Ive come to my senses finally.

Zero emotion, no light and shade, no flair, no energy, crowd was miserable, setlist reeked, it was self indulgent, the songs were weak, no interaction, sound quality sucked, weather was way too nice etc etc.

And after all these years of thinking I shouldve gone to the Black Eyed Peas that night.... now I hear theres a British Gas ad featuring a song from the gig? A f8ckin' turkey of a show. I regret it big time.

Edited July 2, 2011 by ThomThomDrum

[Wooderson]

U talking about Blur or U2?

If U2 i reckon maybe you expected too much......too much of a fan

I was with a big group of mates and we just let lose for it....Achtung Baby! Baby I loved that start!

Really am disappointed you did not get a vibe from that gig...I know how you love em.....we have been waiting for it for years...yeah they f**ked up in ways but there was some good shit going down all the same

[MEGABOWL]

How on Earth has this turned into bitching about the Blur gig? That was one that caught the moment perfectly-nostalgia, singalongs, the band having reunited and old friends repairing a broken relationship. If you didn't care about those things it may leave you cold and the sellout thing is annoying (though 'Tender' was clearly the centrepiece anyway). How good it was technically isn't that important. Plus Blur had the weather.

[ThomThomDrum]

I was talking bout Blur. U2 was superb.

[ThomThomDrum]

How on Earth has this turned into bitching about the gig?

[Wooderson]

I'm putting the blame for last nights hijinx firmly at the door of Viña Albali Tempranillo 2010 that I brought home wiv me from Glasterz.

[russycarps]

Blur were TERRIBLE. And you know when the crowd sang Tender? they were all WELL out of tune. Awful stuff.

And that bit during the british gas advert song, where damian allbran shouted "Glastonbury!" well that isnt even in the original lyrics! What an idiot! couldnt even get the words right!

Horrific gig.

If only I'd been at prodigy with the cool kids