Concert Review: NOT a beautiful day for one U2 fan

I used to be the entertainment editor at a major college newspaper. So, it was fitting last night that I saw U2 and the Black Eyed Peas just a couple hundred yards away from my old newsroom at the University of Oklahoma.

U2 appeared in Norman, OK, at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium as part of its 360 tour. By my count, U2 has not appeared in Oklahoma since 1983 on its War tour. I saw U2 in Tulsa, OK, on that tour when the Alarm opened for them. That 1983 U2 show was an excellent show by an energized band with an artistic vision. Interestingly, future "Newton Boys" screenwriter Clark Walker jumped on stage at that 1983 show and did some sort of new wave dance before being pushed back into the crowd.

In a span of about 18 months, back then, I saw some excellent shows including the last performance of the real Three Dog Night, Santana and Peter Frampton. U2, at that time getting its first taste of fame, was every bit as good as those legendary acts.

There were some very bad points of the show which need to be addressed before going too deep in my review. The first issue was the sound. It almost was horrible. Considering the high ticket cost, the elaborate staging and the prior success of other acts putting decent sound into the venue, there really was no excuse.

Another issue was the poor management of the crowd at the venue. Near my seating area, barriers were erected which essentially cut off my seating area from the west side of the stadium. This caused dangerous congestion. When large numbers of people are involved, it only takes a minor misstep to take a dangerous crowd situation and make it deadly. There was no warning of the barriers, which were erected after the show started, until you were up against them.

By the way, some people complained today on local radio about politics. As far as politics at a Rock 'n' Roll show, U2 pushes issues everyone should care about regardless of being Republican, Democrat, independent, liberal or conservative. I commend them for it.

But, you know. I'm tired of acts that run from their "A" material.

Even though U2 sort of possesses a history of not putting together shows filled with their best, this show seemed to be weighed down by "B" material. It was a "B" material sort of night from U2. The hardcore U2 fans appreciated the show but those who were not so hardcore sort of felt like they were at a Sting concert where he performed "Roxanne" while accompanied by the congas. And, as I remember, that was one of Sting's worst self-indulgent moments.

I've seen artists deal with their dreaded hits in different ways. I remember the Go Gos playing an acoustic version of "Vacation" that was fresh and then switching over to play the whole thing with electric instruments. They got what they wanted. And, the fans got a new experience made more meaningful because they got the song full on. Neil Young & Crazy Horse on the Greendale tour played two sets: The first was "Greendale" in its entirety followed by a set of classics. Again, each set made the other stronger and more meaningful. It can be done.

In any event, U2 seemed disconnected from each other. Bassist Adam Clayton, who played wonderfully, seemed in his own world not so much by his own choice but by the distance imposed on by the stage and the sort of aloofness of his bandmates. At times, the Edge on guitar and Larry Mullen Jr. on drums seemed sort of off their game. Finally, I had to go.

On the long walk to the car, I could hear the "B" night drone on and on. The only highlights from the set before I left were "A Beautiful Day," "Mysterious Ways," and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." "A Beautiful Day" was marred for many audience members who noticed a small airplane circling close to the stadium in windy conditions. You could see looks of apprehension on the faces of some fans as the plane sort of almost listed overhead at times in the wind.

On the other hand, the opening act, the Black Eyed Peas seemed connected to each other, their backing band, and the fans. The Black Eyed Peas kept the audience energized throughout their set. Fergie performed one of her solo hits, "Big Girls Don't Cry." The high points of the concert by either group were the Black Eyed Peas performances of "Where is the Love?" and their latest single, "I Gotta Feeling."

I remember in 1983, U2's manager, Paul McGuinness, came and stood beside me for a large chunk of the show. I sort of liked that "hands on" approach. He could give feedback to the band. I wonder if the same thing occurred tonight what he'd report back. Whether or not he might agree with me on the dismal crowd control, the awful one hit for ever three "B" songs ratio imposed by the band, or that crazy airplane dily, I wonder if he might agree that given we are in 2009 and in a recession that maybe the band could find a way to sell a T-shirt to the fans for under $40.

The set list: Breathe, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, Beautiful Day / God Only Knows (snippet), I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet), Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of, No Line On The Horizon, Elevation, In A Little While, Unknown Caller, Until The End Of The World, The Unforgettable Fire, City Of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (snippet), Sunday Bloody Sunday, MLK, Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet)

Encores: One / Amazing Grace (snippet), Where The Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love (snippet), Ultra Violet (Light My Way), With Or Without You, Moment of Surrender

The Bottom Line: As to the Black Eyed Peas, I've got three words: Very highly recommended.