Muse/U2 concert

today, i can scratch off two of the items on my bucket list.  #23 "see muse in concert" and #16 "see U2 in concert."  i should get a bonus for doing both in one night. 

(no, i don't actually have a bucket list)

a few of my favorite songs by each band:

muse

hysteria: the song that launched my love affair with this band.





knights of cydonia: this video was actually taken at tonight's concert.  looks like the camera man was watching from outside the stadium.  the first years who live right across the street got a heck of a show without even having to buy tickets.





U2

these next two were also taken by someone at tonight's concert.  albeit,  by someone a lot closer to the action.

mysterious ways




stuck in a moment: check out the pipes on 'the edge' at 3:53




some more thoughts:

1. their stage/setup was RIDICULOUS.  i have never seen such a huge, complicated, enormous monstrosity of a stage in my life.  if you've ever played halo (nerd alert), it looked almost exactly like a scarab, except 10 times bigger.  360 degree circular stage, moving bridges, expanding video board, countless lights, camera men, disco balls, the list goes on and on.  i tried to count the number of speakers but got to 216 and gave up. and that was only one side of the stage.  it took over 126 tractor trailers just to haul the entire thing into charlottesville and i've heard it takes $750,000 to set up and tear down the entire production every time they do it.  that is an enormous amount of money. especially considering this is only the second leg of a year long, 3 leg, world wide tour.  i can only imagine how they ship the entire thing overseas. must be a logistical nightmare. and thats not the worst part.  apparently, there are 3 of these alien stages touring with them.  im guessing because one takes so long to tear down/set up, they have to have a regular rotation going. unbelievable.

2.  because of this, apparently they still have yet to turn a profit after 3 months of touring.  i guess its not really of great importance to bono what the profit margin on his current tour is (seeing as how he's a millionaire rockstar with a somewhat humanitarian outlook on life), but still, i hope they're at least covering their costs.  i know they're trying to have net zero emissions by using some kind of carbon footprint offset donation strategy, which makes me feel a little better about paying them my hard earned money.  i can just imagine environmentalists cringing at the energy costs alone.  still, its safe to say that this probably doesn't help the profit margins either.

3. judge me all you want for liking U2.  they are a seminal band who practically invented many of the effects used in recording today.  first band to widely use delays, feedback loops, etc. to a great effect.  not to mention its been almost 30 years since they started, and they don't look to be stopping any time soon.  most bands can't keep things fresh past their 2nd or 3rd studio album.  U2 has 12.  they also use their fame to spread goodwill and humanitarian aid throughout the world.  most people say they don't like bono because he's "too political." give me a break.  he's using the sway he has to try to bring about good things.  if he wants to use the stage as a soapbox every once in awhile, fine by me.  better than sitting at home watching tv all day.

that was longer than i intended.  great way to start fall break.