Woohoo! U2!!
May 8th, 2005 | 07:33 AM
#1
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Woohoo! U2!!
Hello, Hello! The long-awaited Vertigo tour came to Chicago last night, for the first of four concerts at the United Center. U2 rocked! They always put on such a good show.
Lilrhody, I know you and your husband were at the show last night, too -- did you enjoy it? Where did you end up eating?
My husband and I ate at Carmichaels, which is an Italian steak house in the neighborhood of the United Center. I was pleasantly surprised. It was good. Not rave-worthy good, but good. I had a shrimp-corn bisque followed by seared sea scallops, and hubby had crab cakes and two very flavorful pork chops.
The best surprise of the night came when we valet parked at Carmichaels. Our plan was to move the car after dinner and re-park at the UC, since the neighborhood can be a little sketchy for walking after dark. Not only was the valet parking at the restaurant free, but the valet asked us if we were going to the concert and informed us that the restaurant provides a free shuttle to and from the UC. The whole arrangement worked out so well we plan to eat there before every event we attend.
On to the concert. We intentionally got to our seats just as the opening act was starting. They were The Kings of Leon, and all I can say is I've never liked an opening group that U2 has chosen to tour with them. Boy, did I feel old, sitting there wishing they'd TURN IT DOWN!!! Oh, well, 45 minutes later they were off the stage, and 30 minutes after that the reason we were there took the stage.
They opened with Love and Peace, Vertigo, and Elevation, and the night only got better from there. One of the things that makes a U2 concert such an experience is the vibe that comes off the audience. I'm pretty sure everyone there knew every word to every song. U2 seeemd to rock harder last night than we'd ever seen them do before, and after two encores they ended the show on the perfect note with 40.
I had heard that the DVD for the Vertigo tour was to be recorded during two of the four Chicago shows, and there were a number of cameras present last night. When we exited the stadium, I was still singing "Hooooow long, to sing this song?" and I almost walked straight into a camera catching people as they came out. If that clip makes it onto the DVD, Hello! That was me! Monday night is Bono's birthday, so my guess is that will be the other night they film.
Our seats were great, in section 102, just off the floor. I'm old enough that I would never purchase floor seats (oy, my aching back!). As it was, we stood for the entire show, but at least we could sit during the opening act and while waiting for U2 to begin.
For all of you who will be attending any of the remaining three shows, or next fall when they return to Chicago, Enjoy! And if you're looking for some place to eat before hand, give Carmichaels and their free shuttle a try.
Oh, and happy Mother's Day, everyone!
Lilrhody, I know you and your husband were at the show last night, too -- did you enjoy it? Where did you end up eating?
My husband and I ate at Carmichaels, which is an Italian steak house in the neighborhood of the United Center. I was pleasantly surprised. It was good. Not rave-worthy good, but good. I had a shrimp-corn bisque followed by seared sea scallops, and hubby had crab cakes and two very flavorful pork chops.
The best surprise of the night came when we valet parked at Carmichaels. Our plan was to move the car after dinner and re-park at the UC, since the neighborhood can be a little sketchy for walking after dark. Not only was the valet parking at the restaurant free, but the valet asked us if we were going to the concert and informed us that the restaurant provides a free shuttle to and from the UC. The whole arrangement worked out so well we plan to eat there before every event we attend.
On to the concert. We intentionally got to our seats just as the opening act was starting. They were The Kings of Leon, and all I can say is I've never liked an opening group that U2 has chosen to tour with them. Boy, did I feel old, sitting there wishing they'd TURN IT DOWN!!! Oh, well, 45 minutes later they were off the stage, and 30 minutes after that the reason we were there took the stage.
They opened with Love and Peace, Vertigo, and Elevation, and the night only got better from there. One of the things that makes a U2 concert such an experience is the vibe that comes off the audience. I'm pretty sure everyone there knew every word to every song. U2 seeemd to rock harder last night than we'd ever seen them do before, and after two encores they ended the show on the perfect note with 40.
I had heard that the DVD for the Vertigo tour was to be recorded during two of the four Chicago shows, and there were a number of cameras present last night. When we exited the stadium, I was still singing "Hooooow long, to sing this song?" and I almost walked straight into a camera catching people as they came out. If that clip makes it onto the DVD, Hello! That was me! Monday night is Bono's birthday, so my guess is that will be the other night they film.
Our seats were great, in section 102, just off the floor. I'm old enough that I would never purchase floor seats (oy, my aching back!). As it was, we stood for the entire show, but at least we could sit during the opening act and while waiting for U2 to begin.
For all of you who will be attending any of the remaining three shows, or next fall when they return to Chicago, Enjoy! And if you're looking for some place to eat before hand, give Carmichaels and their free shuttle a try.
Oh, and happy Mother's Day, everyone!
May 8th, 2005 | 10:08 AM
#2
Joined: Apr 2004
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SusanM,
My youngest son/wife went with a group of 8 that left from his house and returned in a limo. They had a fantastic time and one of the couples got engaged right before the concert.
He's the one who I thought I'd go mad with from hearing "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" for about 3hours a day for years. (It felt like that to me anyway.)
He was the only one not at my Mother's Day Brunch, but has changed some other arrangements to take me to the Sox game on Thursday. Better for me anyway
I'm going to tell him about Carmichaels because he is over there for Hawks hockey. He is the ex-hockey goalie.
Happy Mother's Day to all also!
My youngest son/wife went with a group of 8 that left from his house and returned in a limo. They had a fantastic time and one of the couples got engaged right before the concert.
He's the one who I thought I'd go mad with from hearing "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" for about 3hours a day for years. (It felt like that to me anyway.)
He was the only one not at my Mother's Day Brunch, but has changed some other arrangements to take me to the Sox game on Thursday. Better for me anyway
I'm going to tell him about Carmichaels because he is over there for Hawks hockey. He is the ex-hockey goalie.
Happy Mother's Day to all also!
May 8th, 2005 | 01:03 PM
#6
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Nice to hear from you, JJ5 -- I've often noticed your replies and thought we must live in the same vicinity!
Congratulations to your son and his finacee; how exciting for them! (You're a good Mom for putting up with the music, although I could listen to U2 'round the clock. With my kids it's Green Day, and I'm just thankful it's not something worse!) And cool about your son being a hockey player; I grew up in a hockey family too, with my brother playing throughout school and then coaching.
"I can't believe the news today.
I can't close my eyes and make it go away...Sunday, bloody Sunday..."
Sigh -- I have to go and put the CD on now.
Congratulations to your son and his finacee; how exciting for them! (You're a good Mom for putting up with the music, although I could listen to U2 'round the clock. With my kids it's Green Day, and I'm just thankful it's not something worse!) And cool about your son being a hockey player; I grew up in a hockey family too, with my brother playing throughout school and then coaching.
"I can't believe the news today.
I can't close my eyes and make it go away...Sunday, bloody Sunday..."
Sigh -- I have to go and put the CD on now.
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May 8th, 2005 | 01:18 PM
#8
Joined: Apr 2004
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He's already married, just last June. This was one of the other couples in the limo, and they had a small engagement party for them by his house before the concert.
And actually of all the things I ever did as a mom that I deserve a medal for (don't we all) is the hockey. High school hockey is brutal. You are up all night driving them because that's the only time you can get "ice time" (10:30 and/or 11pm practices and they can't drive themselves). Plus I was "lucky" enough to be in school and working at the time myself. I used to write class papers with gloves on all night in the damp cold. I felt like Abraham Lincoln. AND I was privledged enough to be the "keeper" of the goalie equipment and extra pads. WHEW! There is no way you can de-smell them.
You don't want to know, because I tried everything.
Hockey is $$$$. Glad he had fun, but so GLAD when it ended.
All my kids would have loved to see U2.
Only 1 was lucky enough to get the tickets. It has got to be a spectacular show.
And actually of all the things I ever did as a mom that I deserve a medal for (don't we all) is the hockey. High school hockey is brutal. You are up all night driving them because that's the only time you can get "ice time" (10:30 and/or 11pm practices and they can't drive themselves). Plus I was "lucky" enough to be in school and working at the time myself. I used to write class papers with gloves on all night in the damp cold. I felt like Abraham Lincoln. AND I was privledged enough to be the "keeper" of the goalie equipment and extra pads. WHEW! There is no way you can de-smell them.
You don't want to know, because I tried everything.
Hockey is $$$$. Glad he had fun, but so GLAD when it ended.
All my kids would have loved to see U2.
Only 1 was lucky enough to get the tickets. It has got to be a spectacular show.
May 8th, 2005 | 06:17 PM
#11
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E,
U2.com lists the following, aside from Kings of Leon, for their openers (no dates, though):
The Killers
Snow Patrol
Franz Ferdinand
Paddy Casey
Keane
So I take it back about not liking any of their choices for opening acts; I wish The Killers had done Chicago (maybe in the fall?).
U2.com lists the following, aside from Kings of Leon, for their openers (no dates, though):
The Killers
Snow Patrol
Franz Ferdinand
Paddy Casey
Keane
So I take it back about not liking any of their choices for opening acts; I wish The Killers had done Chicago (maybe in the fall?).
May 8th, 2005 | 07:25 PM
#12
Joined: Dec 2003
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Thanks for the report Susan. My husband and I are huge U2 fans (like millions of others) and we will be seing them in Oct. in Houston. I feel so fortunate that we could get tickets. I know what you mean by the vibe of the audience. I felt the same way when I saw them on the PopMart Tour. The concert has this energy that you cannot describe, you just have to experience it. And it would be fabulous if the Killers opened because I think they are so awesome.
May 9th, 2005 | 05:41 PM
#13
Joined: Mar 2005
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I saw them at the April 25th show in Seattle. THEY ROCKED!!! This was my 9th time. The first was 23 years ago (YIKES)when they opened for The J Gieles Band. I will be seeing them again this summer on the last night of my vacation Rome Italy!!
Right before they were about to go into "40" Bono went over to each of the band mebers and said something to each.Then he addressed the crowd by saying it was time for an impromtu Italian lesson. "The word encore comes from the Italian word encora which means to do the same effin song again!!!" Then the band broke into Vertigo again!! Which ROCKED more than the first time!!
Tom
Right before they were about to go into "40" Bono went over to each of the band mebers and said something to each.Then he addressed the crowd by saying it was time for an impromtu Italian lesson. "The word encore comes from the Italian word encora which means to do the same effin song again!!!" Then the band broke into Vertigo again!! Which ROCKED more than the first time!!
Tom
May 9th, 2005 | 06:16 PM
#14
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Tom,
Oh my God, how funny -- they opened for they J. Gieles band. "Angel is a centerfold." Ha!
I told my husband that of any concert by any band to have taken place over the course of my lifetime, the one I wish I had seen is from the Joshua Tree tour.
Oh my God, how funny -- they opened for they J. Gieles band. "Angel is a centerfold." Ha!
I told my husband that of any concert by any band to have taken place over the course of my lifetime, the one I wish I had seen is from the Joshua Tree tour.
May 9th, 2005 | 07:00 PM
#15
Joined: Mar 2005
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Susan,
It was when October had been released and "Gloria" was getting heavy play on the college radio station at San Diego State. I was glad that U2 has put it back on their set list.
As for the Joshua Tree tour, saw them 5 times. I was at the last two shows of the tour in Tempe Arizona, the color part of "Rattle and Hum". If you squint you can see my lighter up in the air off to the left. BB King opened both nights.
It was when October had been released and "Gloria" was getting heavy play on the college radio station at San Diego State. I was glad that U2 has put it back on their set list.
As for the Joshua Tree tour, saw them 5 times. I was at the last two shows of the tour in Tempe Arizona, the color part of "Rattle and Hum". If you squint you can see my lighter up in the air off to the left. BB King opened both nights.
May 10th, 2005 | 06:20 AM
#17
Joined: Jan 2004
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We were there - outstanding, as usual. We were in 106, at the opposite end of the arena; dead even with the midpoint of the stage. They were definitely filming; cameras everywhere. It will be fun to watch the DVD. Many highlights, but hearing Trash, Trampoline and the Party Girl was probably it for me.
TRSW - I have a friend who was in the front row of McNichols for the "Rattle and Hum" concert. She's in the video several times.
To keep this somewhat travel related ( ), we dined at Emilio's (tapas) in Hillside before the show. It's near mr_go's office and about halfway in for me. There's also one downtown, north of the river and east of Michigan Ave. I've never been disappointed at either one. There was a Spanish wine producer there last night sampling his products, so we got to do a little extra tasting.
And we drove in and parked at the UC. $20 is a bit much for parking, but there really is no better option from the western suburbs. I'd recommend waiting until a little later in the evening rush hour. We left Hillside around 6:45, and it only took about 30 minutes to get there, get parked and inside the stadium.
Looking forward to seeing them again in September. We'll be taking the 12 YO next time; she was disappointed not to be able to go last night, but I bought these tickets through the pre-sale and could only get two. I called her when the played Vertigo and Elevation so she could listen by phone.
TRSW - I have a friend who was in the front row of McNichols for the "Rattle and Hum" concert. She's in the video several times.
To keep this somewhat travel related (
), we dined at Emilio's (tapas) in Hillside before the show. It's near mr_go's office and about halfway in for me. There's also one downtown, north of the river and east of Michigan Ave. I've never been disappointed at either one. There was a Spanish wine producer there last night sampling his products, so we got to do a little extra tasting.And we drove in and parked at the UC. $20 is a bit much for parking, but there really is no better option from the western suburbs. I'd recommend waiting until a little later in the evening rush hour. We left Hillside around 6:45, and it only took about 30 minutes to get there, get parked and inside the stadium.
Looking forward to seeing them again in September. We'll be taking the 12 YO next time; she was disappointed not to be able to go last night, but I bought these tickets through the pre-sale and could only get two. I called her when the played Vertigo and Elevation so she could listen by phone.
