U2 @ Etihad Stadium, Melbourne (Wed 1 Dec 2010)

This was my 5th U2 show in 21 years, and I was pretty excited to say the least. As per usual, tickets were bought as soon as they went on sale.
For the Vertigo tour, I saw them twice- in Brisbane and Melbourne. I’d planned to do that this time too, but logistics, time and money got in the way. As I type this, I’m pretty tempted to grab a GA ticket for Friday’s show here in Melbourne and go again…
I’d been following the tour a little through U2gigs.com, so had a fair idea of what would be in the set. The three biggest “Oh my GOD” moments were Bad, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me & Scarlet. I thought Scarlet might be in the set as they’d done it in New Zealand the previous week (after not playing it live for almost 30 years). Bad in particular was a complete surprise,as it’s not a regular in the set by any means. I almost went to the 2nd Melbourne show in 2006, but decided against it in the end- I was bummed to hear (selfishly) that that crowd got Bad as a closer- but that’s a different story for a different day. I was holding out for One Tree Hill but knew the chances were slim to none.
Our seats weren’t as good as we’d hoped, but you can’t have everything. The pricing structure of the tickets was Cat 1 ($300- Red Zone), Cat 2 ($230), Cat 3 ($175), Cat 4 ($110) and Cat 5 ($40). We went for Category 3, thinking we’d be relatively close (as in low to the ground). Cat 4 and 5 must have been pretty bad.
We did have a great view, but it was hard to feel ‘involved’ being that high up. As I said, the last U2 show I saw was in 1996 in the same stadium, although it was Telstra Dome back then. I was on the floor for that in GA, and managed to get pretty close.
We missed all but the last 2 songs of Jay-Z’s set, but according to reports it was pretty good. I’m not a fan so didn’t feel like I missed out on too much.
As we arrived, the anticipation was building through the stadium, and the obligatory mexican waves started. I was pretty happy when “One Day Like This” by Elbow came over the PA- this was my wife and I’s wedding song. I think my ultimate show would be seeing Elbow and U2 on the same bill.
The logistics of a show like this are obviously incredible, but for me, it wasn’t until being there, and seeing the size of the claw, as well as the sheer number of crew working on that thing, that it really came apparent as to how big the whole thing was. In each arm of the claw, there were at least 3 or 4 lighting people alone, as well as God knows how many around the rest of the stadium. And lets not forget the multitudes of camera operators as well. And that wouldn’t even be a fraction of the size of the entire crew.
As you can see from the video above, there was a giant clock above the stage. It took us a while to realise it wasn’t telling the time, it was counting down to showtime.
As the clock struck 12, there was a short wait and Space Oddity came over the PA. When they came on towards the end of the Bowie tune, everyone went nuts (obviously), and they opened with one of the new ones they’ve been playing on the 360 tour, Return Of The Stingray Guitar. Was mighty impressed we were in a position to see them walking up to the stage area.
Intro / Return Of The Stingray Guitar / Beautiful Day
Here Comes The Sun / I Will Follow
I Will Follow is one of my favourite U2 songs and although no surprise to see it here in the set, it was muchly appreciated.
Get on Your Boots
As far as songs from No Line On The Horizon, I really don’t rate this track at all. Same goes for Magnificent and I’ll Go Crazy to be honest. Personally, I think there are far stronger songs on the album- such as No Line…, Unknown Caller, Fez and Breathe. Yep- pretty much every song on the album except the ones they played!
Get on Your Boots / Magnificent
Mysterious Ways
Always a killer song live- how can you not at least tap your foot to this!
Elevation
I think I was maybe expecting more ‘cool’ stuff in this show, and Elevation sums that up- I’ve heard so many different live versions of this song (delayed intros, Bono pulling out for the ‘ELEVAAATION’ bits so the crowd does it etc) and I was a bit bummed that this was pretty much a reproduction of the studio version.
Until The End Of The World / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
WOW
Mercy
A new track they’ve been playing for a little while now. Bono intro’d it by saying they’d probably stuff parts of it up, but it sounded pretty good to me. I think I need to give it a few more listens to really get into it though.
Bad
This was unexpected. I couldn’t believe it when it started and was absolutely thrilled to hear it again live, especially after missing out on it in Melbourne 4 years ago.
In A Little While / Miss Sarajevo
When I first heard Miss Sarajevo live in 96, I was amazed at how Bono pulled off Luciano Pavarotti’s part in it- tonight was no different- absolutely amazing.
City Of Blinding Lights
Spine tingling song- the opener on the Vertigo tour and still a big fave. Edge had some issues in this one and had to change guitars. Quickly done but still a very noticeable hole in the sound- interestingly though, there was more than just bass and drums. I’ve always wondered how much of U2’s live sound is pre-recorded – especially for a lot of the post Zooropa stuff.
Vertigo / Highway To Hell / Devil Inside
I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight / Relax / Two Tribes
Sunday Bloody Sunday / Scarlet
Somewhat surprising to see Sunday Bloody Sunday back in the regular set (in my opinion), but very much appreciated. I’ve read a few differing thoughts on Jay-Z’s part in it. Personally, I wasn’t into it, but having said that, I’m not a Jay-Z fan so I’m sure fans of Mr Z thought this was nothing short of rad.
Hearing Scarlet live was obviously a very special treat.
Walk On
One
Where The Streets Have No Name
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
With Or Without You / Moment Of Surrender
Leaving the stage
The full setlist courtesy of U2gigs.com
1. Return Of The Stingray Guitar
2. Beautiful Day / Here Comes The Sun (snippet)
3. I Will Follow
4. Get On Your Boots
5. Magnificent
6. Mysterious Ways / My Sweet Lord (snippet)
7. Elevation
8. Until The End Of The World / Anthem (snippet)
9. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
10. Mercy
11. Bad
12. In A Little While
13. Miss Sarajevo
14. City Of Blinding Lights
15. Vertigo / Highway To Hell (snippet) / Devil Inside (snippet)
16. Funky Town (snippet) / I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight / Relax (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet)
17. Sunday Bloody Sunday / Get Up Stand Up (snippet)
18. Scarlet
19. Walk On / You’ll Never Walk Alone (snippet)
encore(s):
20. One
21. Amazing Grace (snippet) / Where The Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love (snippet)
22. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
23. With Or Without You
24. Moment of Surrender
Photos
Did you see U2 @ Etihad Stadium, Melbourne (Wed 1 Dec 2010)? So far, 68 people have commented, why don't you too?
There are 68 Comments
[..YouTube..] Love that track… this video captures very well the size of the stadium
[..YouTube..] Love that track… this video captures very well the size of the stadium
Love that track… this video captures very well the size of the stadium
[..YouTube..] nice shots!!!!
nice shots!!!!
[..YouTube..] the stage always spectacular
[..YouTube..] the stage always spectacular
the stage always spectacular
[..YouTube..] Not sold out…
empty stands.. can you confirm ?
[..YouTube..] Not sold out… empty stands.. can you confirm ?
Not sold out… empty stands.. can you confirm ?
I can’t believe they played Bad! I hope they do it agin next week in Sydney
Your camera has terrific sound. End Of The World sounds spectacular. Well done my friend, and thanks for sharing these videos and memories of yours.
I think the seats in the empty parts would have been a pretty awful view so I’m wondering if they were never actually on sale. Certainly did feel like more people could have fit in there though. Possibly a marketing ploy / logistical decision so that Friday’s show wasn’t empty?
[..YouTube..] Amazingly steady camera. Thanks for posting. What’s with all the red white and blue t-shirts in Melbourne. Is that a “thing”?
[..YouTube..] Amazingly steady camera. Thanks for posting. What’s with all the red white and blue t-shirts in Melbourne. Is that a “thing”?
[..YouTube..] Amazingly steady camera. Thanks for posting. What’s with all the red white
and blue t-shirts in Melbourne. Is that a “thing”?
Amazingly steady camera. Thanks for posting. What’s with all the red white
and blue t-shirts in Melbourne. Is that a “thing”?
[..YouTube..] Dunno if I like this
Dunno if I like this
[..YouTube..] Thanks, Sam. Did you record Amazing Grace with the dedication? I know the guy, and am on the prowl for a recording.
[..YouTube..] Thanks, Sam. Did you record Amazing Grace with the dedication? I know the guy, and am on the prowl for a recording.
[..YouTube..] Thanks, Sam. Did you record Amazing Grace with the dedication? I know the
guy, and am on the prowl for a recording.
Thanks, Sam. Did you record Amazing Grace with the dedication? I know the
guy, and am on the prowl for a recording.
[..YouTube..] @stevik74
Some sections left empty on purpose behind the sound/vision tents on all stadium levels.
Three quarters of top level empty and more GA space empty around The Claw than for the Vertigo Tour. Perhaps Aussie football stadiums are wider than overseas ones?
Thanks for uploading this Samwearshats, I was sitting in the same general location but down below – great memories!
[..YouTube..] Some sections left empty on purpose behind the sound/vision tents on all stadium levels.
Three quarters of top level empty and more GA space empty around The Claw than for the Vertigo Tour. Perhaps Aussie football stadiums are wider than overseas ones?
Thanks for uploading this Samwearshats, I was sitting in the same general location but down below – great memories!
[..YouTube..] @stevik74 Some sections left empty on purpose behind the sound/vision tents
on all stadium levels. Three quarters of top level empty and more GA space
empty around The Claw than for the Vertigo Tour. Perhaps Aussie football
stadiums are wider than overseas ones? Thanks for uploading this
Samwearshats, I was sitting in the same general location but down below –
great memories!
@stevik74 Some sections left empty on purpose behind the sound/vision tents
on all stadium levels. Three quarters of top level empty and more GA space
empty around The Claw than for the Vertigo Tour. Perhaps Aussie football
stadiums are wider than overseas ones? Thanks for uploading this
Samwearshats, I was sitting in the same general location but down below –
great memories!
[..YouTube..] this song made my night.
this song made my night.
[..YouTube..] @enz9999
It’s strange ..not sold otu for an U2 show after 4 years.
in Europe it was almast sold out but not too many empty place like that… perhaps U2 are loosing fans in your country?
[..YouTube..] It’s strange ..not sold otu for an U2 show after 4 years.
in Europe it was almast sold out but not too many empty place like that… perhaps U2 are loosing fans in your country?
[..YouTube..] @enz9999 It’s strange ..not sold otu for an U2 show after 4 years. in
Europe it was almast sold out but not too many empty place like that…
perhaps U2 are loosing fans in your country?
@enz9999 It’s strange ..not sold otu for an U2 show after 4 years. in
Europe it was almast sold out but not too many empty place like that…
perhaps U2 are loosing fans in your country?
[..YouTube..] This particular stadium has very fussy management and has to reinforce the football playing surface with its underground carpark every time there’s a big show on. I didn’t see AC/DC there to make recent comparisons but I did see U2’s Vertigo Tour gig there 4 years ago and it was packed to the top… I was practically sitting up on the roof for that one.
[..YouTube..] This particular stadium has very fussy management and has to reinforce the
football playing surface with its underground carpark every time there’s a
big show on. I didn’t see AC/DC there to make recent comparisons but I did
see U2’s Vertigo Tour gig there 4 years ago and it was packed to the top…
I was practically sitting up on the roof for that one.
This particular stadium has very fussy management and has to reinforce the
football playing surface with its underground carpark every time there’s a
big show on. I didn’t see AC/DC there to make recent comparisons but I did
see U2’s Vertigo Tour gig there 4 years ago and it was packed to the top…
I was practically sitting up on the roof for that one.
[..YouTube..] beautiful…
beautiful…
[..YouTube..] Sounds horrible
Sounds horrible
[..YouTube..] does anyone know who this song is by? i heard it at the brisbane u2 concert which was beautiful nite.
thought what a great song.love to listen to it in full.
[..YouTube..] does anyone know who this song is by? i heard it at the brisbane u2 concert
which was beautiful nite. thought what a great song.love to listen to it in
full.
does anyone know who this song is by? i heard it at the brisbane u2 concert
which was beautiful nite. thought what a great song.love to listen to it in
full.
[..YouTube..] @lisaloui77 The song is called “One Day Like This” by Elbow. They toured with U2 on some of the Euro dates. Definitely a band worth your listening- one of my favourite all time bands (after U2 of course)
[..YouTube..] The song is called “One Day Like This” by Elbow. They toured with U2 on some of the Euro dates. Definitely a band worth your listening- one of my favourite all time bands (after U2 of course)
[..YouTube..] @lisaloui77 The song is called “One Day Like This” by Elbow. They toured
with U2 on some of the Euro dates. Definitely a band worth your listening-
one of my favourite all time bands (after U2 of course)
@lisaloui77 The song is called “One Day Like This” by Elbow. They toured
with U2 on some of the Euro dates. Definitely a band worth your listening-
one of my favourite all time bands (after U2 of course)
[..YouTube..] ACDC was alot better setup than U2 and alot bigger crowd
[..YouTube..] ACDC and Bon Jovi was alot better setup than U2 and alot bigger crowd too
ACDC and Bon Jovi was alot better setup than U2 and alot bigger crowd too
[..YouTube..] I went Dec 3rd so I missed out on this classic 🙁
I went Dec 3rd so I missed out on this classic 🙁
Great video. ! was there that night and the crowd singing as they walked off was unreal !! Greatest band in the world !!!
[..YouTube..] Great video. ! was there that night and the crowd singing as they walked off was unreal !! Greatest band in the world !!!
[..YouTube..] Great video. ! was there that night and the crowd singing as they walked off was unreal !! Greatest band in the world !!!
[..YouTube..] Great video. ! was there that night and the crowd singing as they walked
off was unreal !! Greatest band in the world !!!
Great video. ! was there that night and the crowd singing as they walked
off was unreal !! Greatest band in the world !!!
[..YouTube..] The pit went absolutely crazy during I Will Follow. Wicked videos
The pit went absolutely crazy during I Will Follow. Wicked videos
[..YouTube..] I was surprised they did this song, I went off my nut. Made my night as well.
[..YouTube..] I was surprised they did this song, I went off my nut. Made my night as well.
[..YouTube..] I was surprised they did this song, I went off my nut. Made my night as
well.
I was surprised they did this song, I went off my nut. Made my night as
well.
[..YouTube..] Oz football pitches far larger than football pitches. 2 x 65000+ crowds in a city far smaller than many European cities…
@stevik74 Oz football pitches far larger than football pitches. 2 x 65000+
crowds in a city far smaller than many European cities…
You can hardly complain. Both nights the crowd was 65,000 plus.
one..completely, byside, you complete me..center of the flame, where the
streets have no name, where the streets have no name, feel the sun light on
your face, dark clouds disapper, see through the eyes of a hurricane, where
the streets have no name, building and a building a love, fly high, where
the streets have no name and when we go there, I go there with you, is all
I want to do, all I want to do, love, only love,c moon, c moon, diamond
slips on I take you…I Love you Bono, I love U2