A couple of weeks ago I ventured off to Glasgow with my friend Sarah to see U2 perform at Hampden, Glasgow on their 360 Tour.

We caught an early train, and a few hours later, we arrived at Queen Street station in Glasgow.  Sure enough, as soon as we stepped out the door, we saw that it was raining.  Boo.  We took shelter in the Starbucks opposite the Apple Store then headed to TGI Friday’s for lunch (if you’re ever there, I recommend the Mozzarella Dippers and the Golden Chicken Strips for a main meal).  After that, we caught a cab to where we were staying- The Ivory Hotel, near Crossmyloof station.

The hotel was really nice (huge rooms) and once we dropped off our stuff, we went for a wander to get our bearings and to get some snacks for the room.

Doors for the U2 gig opened at 5pm so we left our hotel at 4.30pm, leaving us plenty time to get there.  Once we were outside, it was pretty easy to find where we were going- we just followed the masses of other people.  Halfway there, we asked a policeman if we were heading the right way- we were but he sent us in a better direction, avoiding a huge hill we were going to have to walk over.

The next problem, was finding the entrance to the stadium.  The tickets said tunnel 46 so I assumed that was turnstile 46.  Wrong.  It was the big main tunnel leading in to the stadium.  The entrance area was a total mess to be honest- the people who had been queuing left the area in a state with rubbish everywhere, although there weren’t actually  any bin for them to put litter in.  There was a slightly scary moment when walking into the stadium- security let us through but forgot to check our bags so they asked us to stop.  I was thinking “oh shit!” because I had a camera with me.  Thankfully, they didn’t see it- I think they were more concerned about people smuggling in alcohol.

I couldn’t wait to see U2′s stage set-up in real-life.  I’d read about it, seen the pictures and watched footage on the news.  Walking into Hampden and seeing it with my own eyes, I couldn’t help but think “wow”.  I saw others walk in and they had the same reaction- pretty much every one with a camera walked onto the pitch and took a picture.  Just amazing.  If you haven’t already seen what the stage was like, here’s a pic-

The claw

Sarah and I walked around the pitch a bit, trying to find a good spot.  There was the VIP area in the middle, surrounded by the RED zone (for people who had donated money to charity) then there was the normal standing area.  When most people walked into the stadium, there just went to the part of the stage that was nearest to them.  We could have stood there but we would have been quite far back.  Because it was a 360 stage, we went round to the left-hand side and got a much better, closer view.

As it turned out, not many people thought about doing this- there was an announcement on the PA saying there was tons of space in our area and it requested people to move beside us but few did.  We were right on the barrier and the crowd couldn’t have been more than 4 deep on our side, even when U2 were on stage.  Great view, close to the walkways and no pushing or shoving- brilliant place to stand

The first support act was a band called The Hours.  I’d heard a few of their tunes before and thought they were ok.  The final song of their set was “Ali In The Jungle” which I like a lot- the pounding drums were great.

Next up was Glasvegas.  I wasn’t really looking forward to seeing them as I’d listened to some of their stuff online and wasn’t too impressed.  I thought they music was good but the singing was a bit whiney/depressing.  They sang a little bit of “You Are My Sunshine” and it made me want to stick something sharp in my ears so I couldn’t hear anymore.  The job of the support act is to uplift a crowd and get them in the party mood for the main act: not to throw them into a pit of deep depression.  I’ll admit I judged them a little too harshly- I have since listened to them again and may be they’re not all bad?  May be it depends on your mood?

Shortly after Glasvegas finished up, the lights came down and “Space Oddity” by David Bowie started playing over the PA system, and dry ice started coming out of the corners of the claw structure.  I gotta say, I love this tune and it just reminds me of an episode in season 5 of Friends where Chandler sings the song (you know the one I mean).

So, on to the highlights of the gig….

• Elevation- As soon as this song started, you saw all the people in the seats stand up- really got the crowd going.

• Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of- I liked the arrangement of this tune.  Only The Edge and Bono played on this song and it was performed acoustically.  Nice harmonising from The Edge.

• Vertigo- “Uno, dos, tres, catorce!”.  The moment these words were spoken, the crowd went nuts and rightly so- it’s an awesome tune!

• I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight / Two Tribes (snippet)- This was a remix of the song off U2′s latest album.  Basically, the whole stadium turned into a rave-type place and the atmosphere was amazing.  The best part of the song: BONGO DRUMS!

• Sunday Bloody Sunday- A favourite of mine and it sounded great.

• One- Yep, this one just happens to be another of my favourite U2 songs.

• With Or Without You- This is one of the songs I’d been waiting to hear.  If you didn’t already know, I’m a huge Friends fan and this was used for the whole Rachael/Ross “we were on a break!” situation.  Brilliant

There was a bit of an “eek” moment during “Walk On”.  The song started out ok but then the sound started going funny.  At first, I thought my ears might be playing up a little but then I turned to Sarah and she turned round to me at the same moment- something was wrong.  It’s like the sound was coming in pulses- really loud, then really quiet.  All of a sudden, there was a bang, and that was it- all the speakers went.  The following minute was one of the scariest minutes I’ve ever experienced at a concert.

The stadium went silent and the band kept playing like nothing was wrong.  Half the crowd continued to sing along to keep the tune going then, tons of people started booing!  Why pay tons of money to see a really good live band, only to boo when they have a technical glitch ?  I felt bad for U2 at that moment but give them their due, they carried on and never missed a beat when the sound did return.  Big thumbs up to them .  I will admit, I was a little worried that the gig was over and that was it- would have been a helluva early night!

Towards the end, just when I thought I’d seen it all, the middle area where the band were standing began to fill with dry ice.  Bono then appeared wearing a jacket which had lasers built into the side, grabbed onto a rope and spun round, shinig the lasers through the fog.  It looked very cool!

All in all, it was an excellent gig.  I can’t emphasise just how amazing the stage set-up was.  I have never seen anything like that in my life and I’m not sure I will again.  Not only was the music brilliant but while you were listening you couldn’t help wondering what was going to happen next.  What a show!

The awesome stage set-up and video screens

Rocketman by Elton John was played as everyone was leaving the stadium.  We walked back to the hotel and everywhere you looked, there was a sea of people, all walking the same way.  It would have been hellish getting a cab back- you would have sat in traffic for as long.  A 10-15min walk and we were back in the hotel after a brilliant evening.

The next morning, we weren’t sure whether to stay in Glasgow a little longer and go shopping, or head to the train station straight away.  In the end, Sarah and I decided to head home because it was absolutley tipping it down outside and there was no point lugging our bags round shops in that weather.  We called a cab and waited at Queen Street for our train platform to be announced (just like waiting at the airport for a gate to be announced….not used to that!).  A quick stop at Starbucks for a Chocolate Creme (minus the cream ) and we boarded the train.  A few hours later I was back home after a fab trip!

If you’re interested, the setlist is below-

Setlist

Breathe
No Line On The Horizon
Get On Your Boots
Magnificent
Beautiful Day / Here Comes The Sun (snippet)
Elevation
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of
Unknown Caller
The Unforgettable Fire / A Day Without Me (snippet)
City Of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight / Two Tribes (snippet)
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
MLK
Walk On
Where The Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love (snippet)
One

Encores:
Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
With Or Without You
Moment of Surrender