September....already booking shows

 I realize bands tour, year round and thankfully I am in an area where most bands do tend to visit.

September in these parts is heating up.  I already have tickets for Peter Hook and the Light at the start of the month and Pearl Jam mid month.  Recently added over the last few days include PJ Harvey as well as a co-bill featuring The National with The War on Drugs

More to come I'll bet....

A very quick rant...

Recently an acquaintance posted on social media that their birthday was coming up.  In order to "make it the best one yet" the person posted their Venmo and other cash app names/links.

Is that tacky or is that me?

"Hey I can't see you....but send me money anyway!"

U2 - Live from Las Vegas Saturday January 27, 2024

U2
The Sphere, Las Vegas, NV
Saturday, January 27, 2024

Note: Show #2 of second wave or residency.

For the full setlist you can check here

There is part of me that wants to write and write, but I don't think even the best writer could do this experience must justice.  You really do need to see something there to "get it".

U2 has been doing a 30th anniversary for Achtung Baby at the venue and yes, they did play the album in full but broke it in to two sections.  The first section ran from "Zoo Station" to "Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World".

At that point the band went to the "turntable" set.  This seems to run 4-5 songs on average and its really the spot where the setlist can be altered.  There is a lot that is set to the backdrop of the sphere so you get used to it.  On this night we had four songs.  "All I Want is You" still is a great live song, and the crowd singing at the end can bring chills.  A quick run through "Desire" was all fine and good.  Not a song I haven't heard before.  That lead to "Two new to me" songs.  The band played the b-side The Sweetest Thing (its a b-side to Where the Streets Have No Name if you were curious).  I cant recall ever hearing the song live.  Bono was fun and decided to play the keyboards as well. Then we got a cover of Don't Dream It's Over that was originally done by Crowded House  It was a pretty version with just Bono and Edge.

The full band returned for the last four songs on Achtung. 

Then we had the encore of six tunes.  Elevation was great and that went in to the bands newest song Atomic City  If you were not in to the visuals by this point you were thrown in to it full bore.  Feel free to poke around the internet to watch stuff (honestly thanks to the people that recorded but the people singing loudly and off key makes any footage I've seen tough to watch).  Streets and With or With Out You were remarkable.  During WoWoY I had that "moment".  I suddenly got it...all of it.  I wasn't tired, I wasn't scared, or sad...I just "was" and it was so perfect.  One of the most powerful few minutes of my live music journey.

Ended with Beautiful Day and I was really in no hurry to leave.  The venue wasn't pushing us out so we hung a little longer.

A friend wrote "I hope your favorite band plays the Sphere so you can experience this".  100% accurate.

Post Festivcal 2024

 Let this soak in....

Ho-lee....

Incoming....

 I was able to get out to Las Vegas to see U2 at the Sphere.

Trying to figure out a way to put thoughts on "paper" that will relay how incredible the experience was.

It's coming....