This U2 tour has been a kind of crack. I never anticipated attending so many of the concerts. I didn't set out to be a groupie or a "fangirl." I've never met the band, I've only attended a few tours (my first was on top of the LA Coliseum in 1987) and I don't have an extensive set of memorabilia. And while many fans have seen many more shows than I have, I'm blessed to have taken in the i+e tour in Vancouver (1&2), San Jose (2), Los Angeles (1&3), Boston (3&4) and New York (7&8).
But this tour sucked me in because it's so addictive. I haven't completely processed why that is. It's got something to do with a middle-aged superstar band still managing to be creative, still connecting with their fans and still singing their way into a culture that desperately needs a message of post-punk Love.
Perhaps the most significant reason for being so captivated by this tour is found in its name, "Innocence + Experience." It's the narrative of this lifelong journey that sticks with me. And though I've seen the show nine times (and have watched it online at least 20 times), I've heard a different telling of the story each time, always noticing an interesting nuance or relating to one of the many themes in a unique way.
This blog is my attempt to sort out what is happening on U2's recent tour. I'll try to stay short and sweet. Some of my longer and deeper responses can be found on the website I write for, www.atU2.com, and on my own personal blog under the category of "U2 and Theology."
One final introductory note. I have somehow stumbled into hosting a little thing called "The Crystal Ballroom." It's a virtual place where many of us gather, through Periscope and Twitter, to debrief after each i+e concert and to chat about the rich content of this tour. Follow me at @timneufeld on both of those platforms to be a part of our growing unofficial U2 community, or check out the archives on my YouTube channel. Also, feel free to friend me on Facebook.
And, as always, I'd love to have interaction with you about the topics I raise, either here or through other social media. Maybe you can help as I reflect on a song, a tour and a band, trying to make some sense out of the world. It certainly has become my addiction.
Nicely summed up I feel the same about this tour being 52 U2 is about innocence & Experience to me, made friends on twitter through U2 tweets of all ages followed periscope and meerkat especially when I worked the night shift.My mrs thinks I get as exited as a 12 year old girl on about One Direction which is probably the highest compliment you can give to a band formed 39 years ago
Posted by: David Jones | 08/08/2015 at 01:19 PM
Thanks, David! It's amazing how we can see our own lives represented in this tour. Makes it so personal and engaging! -Tim
Posted by: Tim | 08/10/2015 at 12:31 PM