U2 Live on Youtube Initial Impressions

Were you There?

U2 and Youtube? Well I was certainly really hyped to see this, for two reasons: one because the concert was one of the best experiences I have ever had, as you can read from my ecstatic blog entry. Secondly, because the whole live twitter feed with user reactions was very intriguing. The reason I say this, is because at the live concert, its such an overwhelming experience, everyone around you seems to be in the same zone same moment as you, so it feels like a collective experience. Here live on youtube, you are connected with thousands of people around the world who are all watching from the comfort of their homes or something similar, the collective feeling is there but in a broader sense, however it is an individual experience and this individual experience is what intrigued me with the live twitter updates.

Due to bad luck I ended up missing the concert, but thanks to rebroadcasts I am watching it as I write this and I can safely say that nothing compares to the real thing and the gap is not even close. First of all, the live concert was just so much harder hitting. The sound here seems so weak even at particularly large volumes. Larry’s drums are hypnotically driving, Adam’s bass doesn’t want to make you groove to the feel with the crowd around you, Edge’s guitar doesn’t feel like a textured wall of sound hitting you and lastly Bono’s urges throw your hands in the air don’t seem compelling…

U2 were in absolutely top form when they hit Toronto. Although as I write this, Mysterious Ways is sorta rocking but the opening songs were disastrous. I’ll admit that they are weaker songs to begin with but U2 drilled them into your heads, made you rock out. I think Bono’s changed his mic by now, which makes the sound a little better on this side still it lacks the oomph. His voice is really bad today, he can barely hit the high notes which he was nailing on that night, for most of the night. Edge’s guitar isn’t really clear either, thats more of the mixing of the stream and considering this is a first, its justifiable. Just noticed that they just went into Beautiful Day but this is so different from the insane pop the crowd gave when Edge hit the first few chords.

Lastly and most importantly, the stage. It is really the main attraction of the show, it is the stage, the show and the spectacle all at once. Massive in person, truly massive and with these cameras it seems dwarfed as the cameras are rightfully focussing on the band so you’re not really free to observe the gorgeous transforming screen and the different lights that come up on the stage. The closest it comes to that are the long shots which look great really during the “Stand by Me” snippet as they show the entire crowd framed by the stage. As much as I appreciate this free live streaming concert, I’d still say you’ve not seen U2 live until you’re there in that stadium right there. This cannot and will never replace that feeling when you’re screaming at the top of your voice just to add this collective chorus of sound which is all around you. Luckily, they have announced that they’ll be here again next year! I am not sure if I’ll be able to make it but I damn well will try my best. I’m interested to know how you all found it, if you did manage to tune in? I will watch the complete show when I have the time, so this was based completely on initial impressions.

Okay they’ve hit into “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” which will sound amazing anywhere. I find myself adding words to this entry just to delay stopping the concert. The chorus is amazing that they get in this song, you have to experience that! It truly feels uplifiting, in a spiritual way almost. This is one of U2′s most straight up spiritual songs and it sure seems like a hymn sung by thousands and yourself in this building…one large mass, one large collective prayer going up to the heavens…

Bonus VideoClip: U2 were bad ass back in the days…how awesome was this amazing random live performance while being shut down… “There’s a part of you that wants me to RIOT”

~ by Azhar on October 27, 2009.