U2 at Town Hall

Press, 30 August 1984, Page 8

U2 at Town Hall

U2, supported by the Idles, at the Christchurch Town Hall auditorium last evening. Reviewed by Nevin Topp. U2 began their world tour successfully and the audience just ate up everything that was given. It could be argued to some extent it was a captive audience — once you were in the Town Hall if you left to go outside you were not allowed back in. But it is doubtful whether anyone wanted to leave anyway as the tickets were sold out within two hours when they went on sale earlier this month. At first it seemed as if Bono, the lead vocalist, and the other three members of the Irish rock group, were taken aback by the immediate reception they got when they went on stage. But by the third song, and with most of the usually sedate members in the galleries standing, it became obvious that everyone was determined to enjoy themselves.

It might be said that the concert was in part a repeat of their recently released live album. As on “Under A Blood Red Sky,” they opened with “Gloria,” but there was no escaping the energy and entertainment of watching U2 live. Bono’s voice was strained by the end, but that was not sur-

prising even when the guitarist, The Edge, Larry Mullen, jun., drums, and Adam Clayton, bass, joined in, because he put so much into each song.

Bono indicated that it had been a long time since the band had last played live, and had been wondering if they had forgotten how to. But the audience was determined not to allow that, cheering each introduction. The Edge played some jagged, brittle guitar chords, but was equally good whether he was standing or seated. Both Mullen and Clayton backed superbly, seemingly without effort.

What was impressive about the show was the caring attitude of Bono towards the audience. During the song, ‘Out of Control,” it looked like they might be because the stage started to be invaded. However, Bono managed to get one of the fans to skip while he swung his microphone chord. In “Party Girl,” another invader danced an impromptu (Irish) jig with him.

He also cut short the final song of the second encore, “I Will Follow,” because it looked as though more people were going to jump on to the stage, and he was starting to be bothered by these interruptions.

This concern also translated into songs. In introducing “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” Bono said it was for the people outside who were unable to see the show. The song itself is about the religious conflict in Ulster, a typically aggressive, rhythmic U2 track and where, like the Special AKA song, “Nelson Mandela,” the message is likely to be overlooked.

The new songs introduced seemed to continue this concern, including the new single, “Pride.” But on the first listen it would be difficult to judge just how good it will be when compared with the hits played like “New Year’s Day” and “Two Hearts Beat As One.”

But U2 responded to the audience’s energy in kind. It was not surprising that Bono looked as if he had just finished running a marathon when he came out for the final encore.

The Idles, from Dunedin, stepped into the limelight to open the show, and never seemed to falter, using the opportunity to show what they could do without letting the occasion overawe them. Certainly different from the usual, more introspective bands from the south, the Idles got a good response and perhaps some listeners for their new record out soon.