Vertigo 2005: U2 Live from Chicago

You see, this is the problem with reviewing a title after the prolific Theo Robertson has already done it; you end up writing a review that either spends a couple of paragraphs agreeing with him or simply repeating what he has said. He tends to have good taste and put his opinion forward really well and it leaves the rest of us poor b*ggers with little to say! He is correct when he talks about how strong a concert this is for U2 fans. Having been born and bred in Northern Ireland I am contractually obliged to lack rhythm, be cynical, have an acerbic sense of humour and like U2, so naturally I enjoyed this concert film.

The range of tracks is one of the biggest selling points, everything from the recent Vertigo back to classics from Joshua Tree etc. It does make the concert feel slightly more special and honest, because it doesn't feel like they are there just as part of selling their latest wares. The variety also means there are very few weaker album tracks – it isn't quite a greatest hits tour but, like Theo says, it shows respect to the fan base by basically saying "we know you are here for the last 20 years, not just the last album" and I must admit I appreciated that aspect of the concert. The circular stage didn't come across that well on the screen mainly because the camera always ensured we had a good view. Personally I'm not sure if it does make for a better gig because I've only ever been to concerts in smaller venues with a set stage – never really been one for whom stadium gigs appeal.

The one downside is that Bono has become a bit full of himself and, even though the fans in the stadium on these two nights lapped it up, I wasn't that impressed. Another reviewer said he was almost a caricature of himself – I can't say it better than that so I'll steal their words. Particularly hard to swallow were the moments where he was pretty pretentious; his prayer and his "all religions" headband were just grating and the fact that a cheering crowd didn't cover it in my front room highlighted it as rather more embarrassing. Luckily the overall performance covers up for moments like this and the actual delivery from the group as a whole.

Overall then a fine concert film for fans of U2 with sufficient hits to make it accessible and of value to the casual viewer. Yes Bono is a bit of a prat at times but this doesn't take too much away from the total performance. The track selection is good, the stage presence is good and with a good sound system the audience reactions come over well. Well worth seeing for U2 fans.

This show nearly calms my despair of losing U2. I think that their album (HTDAAB) was much better than the previous one thus giving them a lot more songs to touch us! Next, the set design was cool because it summarized all their previous projects but in a more friendly way: running colors (as Popmart), circled staged (as Elevation), video screens (as Zoo TV).

Next, they put at least new songs in their track list: "electric co", cat dubh", "40".

At last, Bono can show all his traits without hiding them behind masks: he is playful and funny ("cat dubh"), moving (speaking about his father on "SYCMIOYO"), caring (when he invited a child on "into the heart") and politician (with the flags!).

But as their previous shows, when they turn to their hits or have weak new songs ("love and piece or else"), they are deadly boring! As in "discotheque", they can reach but still they can't grab the perfect show!

It is impressing how a band this old can still produce a concert like this! They have the same energy as for 25 years ago! Unfortunately I didn't see U2 when they came to Denmark, and I am still sad about it!! Could have been a experience of my lifetime - if it was just half as good as the show in Chicago.

The best thing about this concert, is that they play a track from almost every album they have produced! Noy only the hitlist-wonders like Vertigo and Sunday Bloody Sunday. They play less known numbers like "40" and "Cry/Electric Co." I must admit that I wasn't the biggest U2 fan, so I didn't know these tracks. But they are almost as good as the biggest of all: "Elevation" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday"!

Elevation is bye the way, the best track on the DVD. The way the entire Crowd shouts "ELEVATION" is extraordinary! The only thing I can compare it with, is "We Will Rock You" from the Live Aid concert from 1985. 100.000 people or more shouts "WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU" along Freddie Mercury!

A truly amazing music-DVD!!

What makes this concert better than say something from U2's RATTLE AND HUM era is summed up by the first song . Halfway through Vertigo Bono sings " There's a place I go and I am far away " which are the lyrics to Stories For Boys a song that was written away back in 1979 . We're also treated ( And it is a treat ) to The Electric Co a song from U2's first album Boy from 1980 It's a truly great mix of songs from the bands different eras , we hear Sunday Bloody Sunday from War , Running To Stand Still from The Joshua Tree , Mysterious Ways from Actung Baby and Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own from their latest album . This is showing respect for their audience , imagine you've followed every tour from the early 1990s . What would you prefer as a fan ? Seeing Bono and the boys perform most of their latest album or hear an eclectic mix of tunes from the last 25 years ? If this video is anything to go by the Vertigo tour might just be the best ever

Respect too on the way the stage is set up . All too often the stage at concerts are very static but here we see an oval stage in the centre of the crowd where Bono , Edge Adam and even Larry swap positions throughout the concert so everyone in the audience has a shot of being near the action . Again the fans are being shown respect by the band

If you're a die hard fan you'll want to watch this but perhaps more importantly if you're a casual music fan you'll also want to see this simply because it shows why U2 are the most successful band of the last 25 years . Highly recommended

In this update to the u2 live concert saga , the boys from Dublin descend into Chicago to basically play a "greatest hits" concert. They don't disappoint in any regard. The Show opens up with the electrifying "City of Blinding Lights" a rousing number which then shoots up into "Vertigo" which is a stronger version of the song than we're accustomed to. The band unveils some surprises from their catalog like " An Cat Dubh" and "Electric Co" which haven't been played since Reagan was in office. "New Years Day" , "One", "Where The Streets Have No Name" all sound new and different in their current incarnations , which proves the fact that u2 are innovators , Even the elusive "Zoo Station" makes an appearance on this disc which hasn't been played since Bono Donned the horns in the early 90's. The new songs like "Miracle Drug" , "Love and Peace" ,"Sometimes You Can't make it on your own" are shaping up to be arena classics. This Disc is worth every penny you pay(except if you buy it at Virgin Megastore for 35$ , ouch!!!!) and which it should be compared to that debacle that was Elevation ,live from Boston 2001. They only drawback was the omitting of "With or Without You , but hey , you cant be perfect......