U2 Between the Bridges

November 22, 2004

Some obscure band from Ireland played a little free show in Empire State Park at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge this afternoon. Apparently they have some new album out, which a couple of people have heard about.

I posted some blurry photos from my phone while waiting on line and at the show: Line, U2 TV, Still in line, Anticipation, Vertigo, Sometimes.

There is no doubt that U2 owns the title of "biggest rock band in the world." Despite a long queue, tall people blocking the view and mediocre sound, this ~45 minute set was great and the location is spectacular.

Setlist:
Vertigo
All Because of You
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own
City of Blinding Lights
Original of the Species
She's a Mystery to Me
Beautiful Day
I Will Follow
-
Out of Control
Vertigo

(Yes, Vertigo twice.)

The new songs from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb bring less rock than lead single "Vertigo," but "City of Blinding Lights" and "Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own" are the two new songs that stood out.

This will be on MTV at some point and also probably used as footage for the "All Because of You." There will also be many photos from the thousands of cameras and cameraphones wielded by manic U2 fans.

Links:

• U2logU2 playing NYC from the back of a truck, So Beautiful Tonight - Brooklyn's First-Ever U2 Show


• Gothamist: U2's Free Concert in Brooklyn Today, U2 Runs Through Manhattan, New York Will Follow U2, U2 in BKLYN


• Brooklyn Vegan: U2 Under the Brooklyn Bridge (great photos)


• NY Times: Word of a Free Concert, Next to an Oft-Sold Bridge, Spreads Quickly


• BBC: U2 play surprise New York concert


• Steven Tom: U2 in Tribeca


• Amy Langfield: U2 Live at Brooklyn Bridge


• rickey.org: U2@UWS


• One Lounder: Following a day long makeshift parade...


• view from baxter: empire state park

On Saturday, U2 played Saturday Night Live with at least 50% more rock than usual and continued to play after the broadcast ended (U2log: One More?). Look for that on your friendly local p2p network soon...

Posted by Andrew Raff at November 22, 2004 06:39 PM