If U2 won't play it, U2 Lemon will

[The Exile]

... the dude's done WOWOY a few thousand times (recording takes, rehearsals, shows, etc). You're not going to have the same passion for the song the 3 thousandth time, I don't care what kind of lightshow/stage/100k+ venue you have at your disposal.... People change, and you can't expect them to get fired up about those old songs anymore. It's ridiculous to think U2 can't wait to get on stage and run through another rendition of Pride again. Yay, the message about MLK will surely feel the same, yep.

This is a great argument for why U2 should stop playing these songs. If they bore them so much, then they will bore their audiences, too. And they do.

I think Bono still has plenty of passion, but it's more in tune with their recent stuff I think. Look at performances of MOS during SNL or the Rose Bowl--the dude's screaming at the top of his lungs. Or the NLOTH song--he was really feeling it when they were playing that live during the beginning of the tour.

If Bono had really been feeling it, they wouldn't have dropped it. If the reason they dropped it was that, although the band loved it, the audience didn't, then they need to take inventory and do a bit of a gut-check to determine if they've become the traveling jukebox they've been claiming to disdain for all these years.

[xy]

Have this guy smoke two packs a day and try to sing two keys beyond his range, and then he'll resemble Bono.

I'm guessing that you're not a big fan of Bono's current way of singing?

It depends. I have argued here at length that if U2 would consent to playing small venues it would reduce the need for Bono to project his voice so much, and thus would enable him to sing in a more comfortable key, like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOJAUs4b28U

It would also enable the band to rearrange a lot of their songs that currently, due to their vocal demands, they don't or can't play. But if they insist on playing massive venues, we will never hear them try a song like Red Hill Mining Town, and we will have to continue to listen to Bono butcher songs because of how high a key he needs to sing in in order to project and connect with the very back rows.

Yes, because he tends to sound great on one-off non tour occasions. Much like this song.

Considering his "vox" in 1997-2001, the improvement in Vertigo-360 era is impressive. Sure he's gotten hoarse and the power isn't there anymore, but not even opera singers get to be as good 2 decades after their peak.

[Allie79]

Have this guy smoke two packs a day and try to sing two keys beyond his range, and then he'll resemble Bono.

I'm guessing that you're not a big fan of Bono's current way of singing?

It depends. I have argued here at length that if U2 would consent to playing small venues it would reduce the need for Bono to project his voice so much, and thus would enable him to sing in a more comfortable key, like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOJAUs4b28U

It would also enable the band to rearrange a lot of their songs that currently, due to their vocal demands, they don't or can't play. But if they insist on playing massive venues, we will never hear them try a song like Red Hill Mining Town, and we will have to continue to listen to Bono butcher songs because of how high a key he needs to sing in in order to project and connect with the very back rows.

Yes, because he tends to sound great on one-off non tour occasions. Much like this song.

Considering his "vox" in 1997-2001, the improvement in Vertigo-360 era is impressive. Sure he's gotten hoarse and the power isn't there anymore, but not even opera singers get to be as good 2 decades after their peak.

To avoid his vocal problems Bono started singing in the upper register of his head voice.
His voice really improved during the 360 tour and it seems to be ok now.
He should train himself again to sing with his chest voice.

[Achtungbaby23]

There's another U2 tribute called L.A.vation <stupid name> from ...wait for it.....Los Angeles...anyways he is pretty spot-on too. Not as good as Andy from Lemon Chile but very good.

Well, thanks for the compliment.  As for the name, yeah not my first choice, but at least it's more original than every other bands the name of an album or tour.

Andy is very good, yes.  It's practically impossible to get a Bono impersonator that both resembles Bono and, not only can sing, but also sound like him. Most are either one or the other or often, none of the above.

Since Lemon Chile isn't out to be a true full blown tribute, Andy's look and moves aren   t as important.  It is very cool that they play a lot of obscure songs.  I miss that aspect of my former band, Joshua Tree where we played B sides and less mainstream hits.  I'm having the time of my life now, though, travelling the world doing this.

I saw you in Scottsdale. I thought you were awesome. I was amazed by how you have nailed Bono's body language. I hope you guys come back again and play a different venue. The tables there ruined the vibe and kept people from getting into the show. Come back and play the Marquee Theater.

[YODA]

I think U2 Lemon is one of the best cover bands I have heard, but it shows me why U2 plays so good. So technical in their timing.

[@lmighty DS]

now that i think about it, i saw an Austin TX based tribute, Mysterious Ways Band, cover Glastonbury. I forgot about that, that was pretty sweet.

[L.A.vations Bono]

I saw you in Scottsdale. I thought you were awesome. I was amazed by how you have nailed Bono's body language. I hope you guys come back again and play a different venue. The tables there ruined the vibe and kept people from getting into the show. Come back and play the Marquee Theater.
[/quote]

Thank you!  I studied Bono's moves extensively in the beginning.  After a couple of years, I didn't even have to try anymore.  We had a great time in Scottsdale.  I agree, the tables right at the front of the stage sucked and weren't even sturdy enough to turn into a catwalk for me.

Next time, we'll shoot for the Marquee Theater!

Hope to see you soon!

Jason.

[Breeze]

Jason, super cool to see you here!  I've seen you guys play twice in the Inland Empire/Southern California, and you do a terrific job!   I have not seen Joshua Tree, but I heard L.A. Vation is a bit closer to the real deal.

Hope to see you guys perform again soon.

[Allie79]

I saw you in Scottsdale. I thought you were awesome. I was amazed by how you have nailed Bono's body language. I hope you guys come back again and play a different venue. The tables there ruined the vibe and kept people from getting into the show. Come back and play the Marquee Theater.

Thank you!  I studied Bono's moves extensively in the beginning.  After a couple of years, I didn't even have to try anymore.  We had a great time in Scottsdale.  I agree, the tables right at the front of the stage sucked and weren't even sturdy enough to turn into a catwalk for me.

Next time, we'll shoot for the Marquee Theater!

Hope to see you soon!

Jason.
[/quote]

Hi Jason,

Any chance you'll be playing in the Netherlands some time?

[Allegra]

I saw you in Scottsdale. I thought you were awesome. I was amazed by how you have nailed Bono's body language. I hope you guys come back again and play a different venue. The tables there ruined the vibe and kept people from getting into the show. Come back and play the Marquee Theater.

Thank you!  I studied Bono's moves extensively in the beginning.  After a couple of years, I didn't even have to try anymore.  We had a great time in Scottsdale.  I agree, the tables right at the front of the stage sucked and weren't even sturdy enough to turn into a catwalk for me.

Next time, we'll shoot for the Marquee Theater!

Hope to see you soon!

Jason.

Hi Jason,

Any chance you'll be playing in the Netherlands some time?

DUDE!!!  You just missed them!  They were there back in June!  The drummer, their Larry, is from the Netherlands! 

Past show schedule...  http://www.u2lavation.com/shows/Past-Show-Schedule-2012/

I'm still dying to see L.A.vation, but I've known Jason for 8 years now.

The first time I saw and heard him live, my jaw fell to the floor, and I said every word after "HOLY...!!!"

Nothing at all against Lemon Chile who are very good, but as far as who I've personally seen live regarding U2 tributes...nobody else has made my hairs stand up like Jason did. 

YEEEEEE HAAAAAAW!!!!!