Get on Your Boots may have ruined U2

[@lmighty DS]

I don't think it's so much an issue of "respect" as it is that they know such a tour would flop. Also, who's complaining that U2 chooses to play bigger venues? Not me. I wouldn't want them to play a ridiculously small tour and not be able to get tickets to a show because they sell out so fast or because they're ridiculously expensive due to scalpers. The demand is there for a stadium tour, so U2 chooses to meet that demand. With a tour that big, every fan that wants to see the band is able to. Nothing wrong with that.

quite agree. Take that tumbling dice !

Most people would rather see a band in an arena than a stadium. This is because:

1) the sound in stadiums is usually rubbish
2) unless one is very close to the stage (and either being frottaged by a married man or unable to go to the bar or rest room) the view is usually terrible
3) being outdoors, one runs the risk of being rained on
4) arenas are generally easier to get to than stadiums

U2 don't 'choose' to meet demand - U2 demand to make vast amounts of cash. In this scenario everyone is happy - U2 get richer and the public get to watch them from a very great distance.

Wow, bitter much? The view is only terrible (and the same goes for arena gigs, which I've been to far more than stadium gigs) if you don't get there early enough to get a good spot. And by that I mean a good spot on the floor. I'd never do seats at any concert. You can't expect to show up a half hour before the concert begins and get a good spot.

Do you honestly think U2 would continue doing stadium shows if the demand wasn't there? No. They'd play to whatever they could, because that's what smart bands DO.

I'll be the first to complain when a concert is poorly done or the sound is terrible. I've been to many of those. U2 360 wasn't one of them. Although I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter what I say, because it's clear that you want to turn everything into a discussion about how all U2 cares about is the money.

I don't like stadium gigs for the reasons given - that doesn't make me bitter. 360 was loud - that's about all you could say of the sound. As for the view, the only thing you could see from most vantage points on the floor was a silly metal claw or the back of someones head. To get anything approaching a decent view, one would need to get to the venue prohibitively early or take a step ladder - or pay $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for a halfway decent seat.

depends on the venue. here at Cowboys Stadium it wasn't loud. the only complaint i heard was that it wasn't loud ENOUGH.

[tigerfan41]

Prohibitively early? I don't call getting there a few hours early prohibitively. Had to do the same thing for many other concerts that I've been to. If you want to be close, that just comes with the territory.

As for the claw and the sound--I did the GA and the seated thing at two different concerts. I never had an issue with the view (it was always good, though I'm sure there may have been a few spots in the stadium where it wasn't good) and the sound, where I was, was always good. I haven't been to any other U2 tours, so I don't know how 360 compares, but my experience was good. And I'm the first to complain if it's not good.

Regarding the pay $$$$$$ for a decent seat comment, yeah, that's how it is at a lot of concerts. It goes back to the scalpers and their buying up all of the good seats. I've seen it happen with the Chili Peppers, Coldplay, and a bunch of others. Tickets going for 2-3 times face value. It's why I hate seats and prefer GA because I know that I'll get a good spot so long as I get there a little early. I'm pissed that so many bands seem to be getting rid of the pit in favor of seats where only the richest fans have the chance to get close to the stage.

I don't deny that U2 want to make money. Of course they do. Most artists are that way. But what I do deny is that they're unlike all of the other bands out there. And they would not be playing stadiums if they could not get them 3/4 or even 2/3 full.

Of course they do - look at POPMART

POPMARTas supposed to be a sell out. U2 was shocked when it did not sell out. It's the only tour that only 1 US leg since they didn't sell out the first leg.

Doesn't mean they didn't choose to play stadiums and didn't sell them out. Much in the same way Coldplay choose not to play them even though they could sell them out.

I never said U2 sold them out. I said they played to crowds of at least 2/3 or 3/4 full. The reason why they did 360 in stadiums was (a) to accommodate the massive size of the stage and (b) because they knew the demand was there. The fact that 360 is the highest grossing, most attended tour ever just proves that point.

What I'm saying--and what other people are agreeing with--is that Coldplay wouldn't even be able to get it 2/3 or 3/4 full in most stadiums. That is why they choose not to play stadiums. It's why most bands don't. Few bands, as we've already established, are capable of playing a stadium tour by themselves. The Rolling Stones and U2 are two of them.

[Sugarcube]

Prohibitively early? I don't call getting there a few hours early prohibitively. Had to do the same thing for many other concerts that I've been to. If you want to be close, that just comes with the territory.

As for the claw and the sound--I did the GA and the seated thing at two different concerts. I never had an issue with the view (it was always good, though I'm sure there may have been a few spots in the stadium where it wasn't good) and the sound, where I was, was always good. I haven't been to any other U2 tours, so I don't know how 360 compares, but my experience was good. And I'm the first to complain if it's not good.

Regarding the pay $$$$$$ for a decent seat comment, yeah, that's how it is at a lot of concerts. It goes back to the scalpers and their buying up all of the good seats. I've seen it happen with the Chili Peppers, Coldplay, and a bunch of others. Tickets going for 2-3 times face value. It's why I hate seats and prefer GA because I know that I'll get a good spot so long as I get there a little early. I'm pissed that so many bands seem to be getting rid of the pit in favor of seats where only the richest fans have the chance to get close to the stage.

I don't deny that U2 want to make money. Of course they do. Most artists are that way. But what I do deny is that they're unlike all of the other bands out there. And they would not be playing stadiums if they could not get them 3/4 or even 2/3 full.

Of course they do - look at POPMART

POPMARTas supposed to be a sell out. U2 was shocked when it did not sell out. It's the only tour that only 1 US leg since they didn't sell out the first leg.

Doesn't mean they didn't choose to play stadiums and didn't sell them out. Much in the same way Coldplay choose not to play them even though they could sell them out.

I never said U2 sold them out. I said they played to crowds of at least 2/3 or 3/4 full. The reason why they did 360 in stadiums was (a) to accommodate the massive size of the stage and (b) because they knew the demand was there. The fact that 360 is the highest grossing, most attended tour ever just proves that point.

What I'm saying--and what other people are agreeing with--is that Coldplay wouldn't even be able to get it 2/3 or 3/4 full in most stadiums. That is why they choose not to play stadiums. It's why most bands don't. Few bands, as we've already established, are capable of playing a stadium tour by themselves. The Rolling Stones and U2 are two of them.

Not everyone agrees with you. Coldplay choose not to play stadiums because they prefer a more intimate, intense concert experience - I honestly don't know why that's a problem for you. Most other bands don't play stadiums because they're not as big as Coldplay, U2 or the Rolling Stones.

[tigerfan41]

And I honestly don't know why it's a problem for you that U2 chooses to meet the demand by playing bigger gigs. I don't know how many times we can go round and round with this, but here it is again: Coldplay can't even completely fill the arenas they play across the U.S. Arenas usually hold 40,000 or so, oftentimes less depending on the arena. How in the world can anyone expect them to get stadiums (which generally hold at least 50,000, if not way more than that) even 2/3 of the way full? Answer: they can't.

If Coldplay were really about "intense," "intimate" gigs, then how come they aren't playing smaller venues than arenas? I'm sure the fans would love to be closer to the band, and in my experience, the smallest venues generally provide the best show.

[Sugarcube]

And I honestly don't know why it's a problem for you that U2 chooses to meet the demand by playing bigger gigs. I don't know how many times we can go round and round with this, but here it is again: Coldplay can't even completely fill the arenas they play across the U.S. Arenas usually hold 40,000 or so, oftentimes less depending on the arena. How in the world can anyone expect them to get stadiums (which generally hold at least 50,000, if not way more than that) even 2/3 of the way full? Answer: they can't.

If Coldplay were really about "intense," "intimate" gigs, then how come they aren't playing smaller venues than arenas? I'm sure the fans would love to be closer to the band, and in my experience, the smallest venues generally provide the best show.

Arenas are about as intimate as Coldplay can get away with while still satisfying massive demand for tickets. Theirs is an artistic choice - they'd rather play arenas than stadiums as they care so much for their fans. Nothing wrong with that. But it's their choice - they could play stadiums if they chose to.

[The Exile]

Please stop.

[@lmighty DS]

Please stop.

[tigerfan41]

I agree, it's pointless. Back to the topic at hand: Get On Your Boots ruined U2. I don't think so, but if they release another CD that doesn't do well in terms of reception and sales, that could theoretically be the nail in the coffin.

[xy]

No. It ruined NLOTH, not U2.

 "Coldplay wouldn't even be able to get it 2/3 or 3/4 full in most stadium" - of course. Hence, Coldplay don't do it. It's not a choice at all. You don't play stadiums until you can fill them.

And since when do U2 fans hate stadiums ? The irony...

[mattressjedi]

Get on your Boots Get on your boots yeah

Came off live very well. But did it acquit itself as a result? No. It really gave people the wrong impression about what was going on with NLOTH. Well, except for the middle third. The song was a accurate portrayal of that part.

[Lebowski]

Okay, I enjoy some of Coldplay's music, but saying, "They could sell out stadiums all over the place if they wanted to," is pure conjecture.  We have no way of knowing whether or not they could actually do that, so none of us can definitively say that they could.  Selling out stadiums everywhere is a tough thing to do that not many rock bands have done over the years, so until you do it, you don't get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to saying you could probably do it.

[tigerfan41]

Okay, I enjoy some of Coldplay's music, but saying, "They could sell out stadiums all over the place if they wanted to," is pure conjecture.  We have no way of knowing whether or not they could actually do that, so none of us can definitively say that they could.  Selling out stadiums everywhere is a tough thing to do that not many rock bands have done over the years, so until you do it, you don't get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to saying you could probably do it.

That's true. And as you said, not many bands have been able to do it. Most won't do it unless they know that the odds are good that it will work out well for them. No one wants to play to half full arenas or stadiums.

[Sugarcube]

Okay, I enjoy some of Coldplay's music, but saying, "They could sell out stadiums all over the place if they wanted to," is pure conjecture.  We have no way of knowing whether or not they could actually do that, so none of us can definitively say that they could.  Selling out stadiums everywhere is a tough thing to do that not many rock bands have done over the years, so until you do it, you don't get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to saying you could probably do it.

That's true. And as you said, not many bands have been able to do it. Most won't do it unless they know that the odds are good that it will work out well for them. No one wants to play to half full arenas or stadiums.

Saying they couldn't sell out stadiums all over the place is pure conjecture too. Coldplay could easily sell out at least one stadium in each city but prefer to play arenas instead - which is fair enough. Although I notice in another thread you're coming round to my way of thinking.

[imedi]

Okay, I enjoy some of Coldplay's music, but saying, "They could sell out stadiums all over the place if they wanted to," is pure conjecture.  We have no way of knowing whether or not they could actually do that, so none of us can definitively say that they could.  Selling out stadiums everywhere is a tough thing to do that not many rock bands have done over the years, so until you do it, you don't get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to saying you could probably do it.

That's true. And as you said, not many bands have been able to do it. Most won't do it unless they know that the odds are good that it will work out well for them. No one wants to play to half full arenas or stadiums.

Saying they couldn't sell out stadiums all over the place is pure conjecture too. Coldplay could easily sell out at least one stadium in each city but prefer to play arenas instead - which is fair enough. Although I notice in another thread you're coming round to my way of thinking.

this is gone off topic lol but i would doubt there is a band anywhere that would not play a stadium if they thought they could do it thats like saying we dont want any more money

[tigerfan41]

Okay, I enjoy some of Coldplay's music, but saying, "They could sell out stadiums all over the place if they wanted to," is pure conjecture.  We have no way of knowing whether or not they could actually do that, so none of us can definitively say that they could.  Selling out stadiums everywhere is a tough thing to do that not many rock bands have done over the years, so until you do it, you don't get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to saying you could probably do it.

That's true. And as you said, not many bands have been able to do it. Most won't do it unless they know that the odds are good that it will work out well for them. No one wants to play to half full arenas or stadiums.

Saying they couldn't sell out stadiums all over the place is pure conjecture too. Coldplay could easily sell out at least one stadium in each city but prefer to play arenas instead - which is fair enough. Although I notice in another thread you're coming round to my way of thinking.

See the other thread. I'm not going through this again. I'd prefer to discuss what's actually in the thread name.

People said Pop ruined U2 and they rebounded fairly good from that. If anything, GOYB ought to encourage them to change things up and do something different creatively. I just hope that's not a move toward more pop music.