U2. Joshua Tree tour

TOBYJUG posted:

So U2 have decided in their wisdom to celebrate 30 years since march 1987 the Joshua Tree release by running a tour in the summer.  playing the album from start to finish.

A few bands have done something similar in the past, mostly those bands that only marginally had success or those who had broken up and reformed several years / decades later and probably broke.

seems mixed reactions so far, many putting out the point that the band can only be creative for so long until it's realised the effort is irrelevant, although many detractors have argued when were they ever relevant.  

I did see them on the original tour of the album in the summer of 1987 at Wembley Stadium.  As much as I liked them at the time, amongst the hits they did do some pretty dreadful cover versions. Later morphing into the monster that was Rattle and Hum.

I'm not sure how relevant determinations of "relevance" are. Not sure what that really even means.

But The Joshua Tree is a record I loved at its time of release, and continue to listen to occasionally. I'm no longer really a fan of stadium rock but did enjoy the last U2 concert I saw a couple of years back. If someone comped me the tix, I'd go to see them play TJT.

You always have the problem of the evolving style of a band. For the average listener you basically decide to buy the one album and to skip the other album. I f.i. skipped Achtung Baby. for the fans you are basically following and following the style changes throughout the years (for me a band like Dream Theater falls in this category).

Going back to an old album can sometimes be a great way of reconnecting with old fans and play old songs with a new kind of energy. For some bands it works for others not. I think for U2 it will work as the album was so successful. I don't blame them for going back, it's not easy as artist to constantly re-invent yourself.

I think tours like this are a great idea -and what is surprising is that more bands don't do it, at least where they have a long lifespan. Bands themselves can get pretty tired of playing the same thing every day on a major promotional tour, and often are more than willing to move on for the next promotion (required by the record company), and so on. 'Fans', if that is the right word for people who like the band's music, very often continue to like the music of any given album, long after its promotional tour, and surely would often love to see the band do it live, whether that is again having seen originally, or for the first time having missed the original.

It does seem to have started happening more recently, as the older rock musicians edge towards retirement - or maybe I just notice more because there are more bands that I've known. However, its not just bands that had only matginal success, although indeed it is not always the full original band, in some cases not because they disbanded, but nor all are still with us. In the recent past I've seen Roger Daltrey performing Tommy in full, though with his own band not The Who, and Ian Anderson performing Thick as a Brick, while Roger Waters seems to enjoy almost perennial outings performing The Wall. And there quite a few others that I haven't known about or could't get to.

The only question, is should these bands/artists do several tours to cover more of their music? 

I saw a concert from that tour first time round. Superb. Memorable. Reproducible?

When Rush did their "Time Machine" tour they played (as part of a long set) Moving Pictures straight through from start to finish. And you know what? About 2/3 way through my attention started to wander. But I expect that's because I'm a philistine.

If U2 can play it, fill the venues and pull it off, then why not? I'll buy the BluRay. But I won't be queuing up and getting ripped off like I did when I saw them play it first time round. But I expect that's because I'm an old git.

Nowadays it would take more than that to get off my haemorrhoids and out into the cold.

Harry posted:

Reluctantly forked out for tickets to see Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers this coming July.

Since i've reached my middle age, i'm far from enthusiastic about being exposed to the elements & being among a large crowd at an open air venue like Hyde Park. As opposed to when i was in my youth.

But it's so long since Tom Petty toured these shores that i felt i had little alternative.

Regards.

Bobby.

At least they are getting back to the music as opposed to bono' s ridiculous comments on world affairs.... 

I have to say I've never liked huge venues, especially stadiums, and always thought the ticket prices should be cheaper because you have a poorer view and they have more punters- but instead they always used to cost more than smaller venues! Open air is alright if weather good and you can get into a good position, usually with excellent atmosphere... but dire if foul weather!

wenger2015 posted:

At least they are getting back to the music as opposed to bono' s ridiculous comments on world affairs.... 

You can hope. 

Problem is there will likely be a gap between many of the songs.

wenger2015 posted:

At least they are getting back to the music as opposed to bono' s ridiculous comments on world affairs.... 

Reading through some of the bumf in U2s web site, it seems the band feel the album is " relevant" in today's state of affairs. What with a return to right wing America and European turmoil - with Armageddon just a wrong move away.

I love the Joshua Tree and I have loved following U2 since their first, album Boy (1980). But, I have never seen them live because I feel the tickets are way over priced. I was once offered to be shown in through a side entrance by a friend who knew the security guards, but my conscience got the better of me (even skittish Norse gods have morals!). I have enjoyed adapting tot their constantly evolving style.

Incidentally Rush did a great job with the Moving Pictures tour, not least because only one half was MP and he rest was a selection of classics and old stuff. Having seen the first MP tour in 1982 it was really interesting to hear them play it with their maturer expertise.

To me, although I very much liked Joshua Tree, U2 were at their peak at the time of The Unforgettable Fire (originally sold as a low cost LP!)

TOBYJUG posted:

wenger2015 posted:

At least they are getting back to the music as opposed to bono' s ridiculous comments on world affairs.... 

Reading through some of the bumf in U2s web site, it seems the band feel the album is " relevant" in today's state of affairs. What with a return to right wing America and European turmoil - with Armageddon just a wrong move away.

That's a relief, at least Armageddon will be put off for a little longer..... I didn't realise bono was about to save the world... 

This concept seems about half a step from becoming a heritage/covers band in some ways. Surely they cannot need the money?

In fairness that was a good album and at a time that they really had a huge level of attention and support. Celebrating that might be better than 'iffy' new material.

Billy Bragg marked the 30th anniversary of his first album by playing it in full as the encore on a recent tour. That was cool.

Bruce