U2 Tour Dates - Now Official! — Page 81

We've made it to 2000 posts! yay! (with no thanks to Ellie)

Awww, Ellie! Elphie was wondering if the "no thanks to Ellie" was too much, and I said she had to put it. Yeah, Tiff has been no help whatsoever being in Europe! Two lousy posts! Tiff, Elphie and I curse you with Secaucus! (Don't ask!)

Anyway, last night was pretty cool. We got to go to a listening party at MTV, where we were the first people in the world (outside music biz folk, I suppose) to listen to X&Y. There were 20-something of us there, and then they were doing a second session later. It was really cool, actually. They gave us these X&Y folders (that I TOTALLY wanted to keep) w/ a tracklisting, a press release, and some sort of letter from Capitol Records, along w/ a legal pad and pen. We had to check all electronic devices (good thing I brought that DellPod I had no intention listening to on the train!) because they didn't want to risk anyone recording the album and leaking it out on-line.

They video taped the whole thing, and I guess it's supposed to air on MTV as the first episode of a new series called MTV Leaked (where they invite a bunch of fans to hear an artists new album and then hear them live in concert). Neither of us really chimed in, though when they asked what we all thought of the concept of the show, I almost said something about what a great idea I thought it was (can you imagine how crazy that would have been for HtDaAB?!?!)

The general consensus in the group was that it was just the most amazing album ever...totally trumped their other two and pretty much anything else out there right now. Personally, I thought it was very good, but there was no contest that it was my least favorite of the three. There are a couple of tracks I really liked, but I think overall, it suffered from either bad mixing or a bad sound system in the room we were listening to it it (which would seem unlikely, wouldn't it?) They had it cranked on the first track, and while I love a good plasting of a rocking album, for a first listen, I was having a really hard time picking up what Chris was singing. They turned it down in the middle of that song, which helped a little, but overall, I'd say his voice tended to bleed w/ the music (I don't know how to describe it).

For me, while I think it was good, and will definitely grow on me w/ a few listens (especially after a couple w/ headphones on and a lyric sheet), I think overall, Chris' comments that he wants the band to be the next U2 are right on target. Though, not necessarily in the way he might hope. The album is a lot more rock, a lot more experimental, a lot more electronic-heavy, and in a way it feels a bit forced. It feels like they are trying to say "we've done these two albums, and we don't want to wait for a shift to grow organically, so let's just go for it." It feels like they intentionally cultivated their Achtung Baby or something...Of course I didn't say any of this on camera. I think they may have asked Elphie to find someone else to bring w/ her on Wednesday!

Speaking of Wednesday, it should be pretty awesome! They're going to be playing a concert for us at MTV studios w/ only 80 people in attendance!! That's just crazy! 80 people! I'm hoping the setlist looks like the other "buzz gigs" they've been doing thus far, where they play 15 or so songs w/ half from the new album and the other half from Parachutes and ARoBttH. Come on boys! I want to hear Yellow, Don't Panic, The Scientist, and In My Place. So sue me!

Anyway, I'm off. I'm sure Elphie and I will keep you posted about Wed. It's a pity neither of us scored tix to The Beacon show tonight. I'm thinking that might be a better/fuller concert, but hell, it's hard to argue w/ 80 people! That's just going to be insane. I can't wait!

---

Updated On: 5/17/05 at 09:34 AM

Yeah, I think they're playing in E. Rutherford, NJ tonight and tomorrow. I hope he has fun! And I hope you have a good time at All Shook Up (I thought it was good, campy fun!)

---

Aw, I'm sorry if you've had enough of me and my Celiney ways.

*retreats broken-hearted*

Ellie, we didn't really scare you away, did we? Come back! I love Celine! Really!

Yesterday Mabel and I decided to head into the city early and make a day of it. We did the student rush at The Pillowman. We got there a little after 10 and were the first people in line, but lots of people came soon after us so it was good we got there when we did. We ended up with box seats, which we were kind of worried about, but they ended up being pretty good. We were fairly close to the stage and only a small portion of it was obstructed. Mabel will probably be able to write a better review of the show than I can, but I'll try to express my thoughts. I absolutely loved it. It was pretty intense, but there were some comic moments, mostly provided by Jeff Goldblum. I thought the acting was superb. Billy Crudup was amazing as always; it must be hard to play that part 8 times a week and get so emotional every time. Jeff Goldblum played his usual type of character, but did a great job of it! The humor he brought to the play was priceless. I'm really surprised he didn't get a Tony nom. I thought Michael Stuhlbarg gave a standout performance, too. The cast was great. It was just a wonderful production, and I'm really glad we got to see it. We had lots of time afterwards so we waited at the stage door, and all the actors were SO nice and so polite. We asked Jeff Goldblum if we could get a picture with him and he said, "I insist upon it!" They all seemed so gracious and patient.

After that we wandered around for a few hours. At around 8:30 we got in line outside MTV (they told us to get there by 8:45). We waited there until about 10:00, when they finally let us inside where we waited some more. Unfortunately they took our bags so we couldn't have cameras inside the studio. We heard someone say we were in the TRL studio, but we weren't sure. Wherever we were, it was really small. They managed to cram all 80 of us inside, but it was a very small space. We ended up very close to the front with about one row of people in front of us. We were also right next to a small catwalk. Chris Martin started the concert directly next to us on the catwalk; he was literally less than a foot away. We could see every single detail of his face; it was amazing. I wanted to reach out and touch him but we were warned before the show that if we did so we would be ejected, so I figured I'd better keep my hands to myself. It was surreal, though. He would move from the catwalk to the stage right in front of us to the piano onstage. When he was playing the piano it was so cool to watch. His whole body would move and he would bend his head over the piano like he was concentrating intensely on the music. I can't explain it, but it just showed how into it he was. Mabel can post the setlist because she got a copy of it(!), but I'll try to post what I remember. They opened with Square One, and they played Low, Speed of Sound, What If, A Message, 'Til Kingdom Come, Fix You, and Clocks. Clocks was the only old song they played. Yellow was on the setlist, but they never got to it because they did Square One, What If, and A Message twice. We were kind of pissed that they skipped Yellow, and I was also really hoping to hear The Scientist, so I was disappointed that wasn't on there. But I think Fix You is my new favorite Coldplay song (Chris Martin said it's the best song they've ever written). I think it's so beautiful, and to hear them do it live was just astounding. It opens with just Chris on the piano and singing, and it was so cool to watch him and to see the emotion going into his performance. I love how the song intensifies, too. They played all my favorite songs from X&Y, and they sounded even better live than they did on the album. Now I'm more excited to listen to the cd again. It was an awesome concert and I can't believe how close we were. Afterwards we ended up with a setlist from the stage and a guitar pic. Mabel just left to go home and I miss her already. We had a pretty great time, though! (if anyone is still reading, I'm amazed; sorry this was so long!)

What are you trying to do to me, gals???? I'm doubled up on the floor writhing with jealousy here! Damn you, and your glamourous NYC lives. * Oh well, Elphie, you'll be far far away in Hobbitland soon. And Mabel, tell me you'll soon be too busy to do so many fab things.

I'm glad you had a fab time. Is it going to be televised? If so, when? I'll be sure to look at for you!** Was this the show where Chris dedicated a song to Kylie Minogue?

I really want to see The Pillowman. Again - damn you both to hell. I like Jeff Goldblum, but he always seems a bit smarmy. Did he come across that way when you spoke to him?

Have fun walking your dog, Mab. No doubt you'll meet Leonardo DiCaprio while you're out and be whisked away to Barbados for a weekend of rough love-making.

*Not a genuine smiley face. It's a front, so I don't appear bitter.

**So I can spit at the screen, you bitches!

Hey ladies. I didn't end up bringing the dog for a walk (sorry bud, but American Idol's worst of the worst was on...I'll bring him in the morning or something), so alas no whisking from Leo (just as well, my boy Billy's tied up in NY, and I wouldn't want to have to do any gallivanting w/o him!)

Ok, a random assortment of my thoughts. I'm sure they won't be at all coherent or in order, but whatever.

First, Elphie, I had to wipe a lone tear away going through Secaucus solo. I soldiered on though!

The Pillowman: Ellie, if you can, do try to see it! I'm not sure how many student tix they have every night, but I was definitely under the impression that they have some for every show. I'll be trying to catch it again for sure! I found Goldblum bizarre, for sure, but not necessarily smarmy. He was very nice at the stage door. I didn't get a "thanks, you're a doll" though. Boo! He was dressed to the nines. He looked super sharp! I didn't notice the shoes, but the suit was quite snazzy! Oh, it was so funny, this guy who had been waiting for him, left and come back when he saw him come out caught Jeff after saying something to someone else, and this random guy just reached up (way up, since he's so tall!) and grabbed his hand to shake it. Goldblum's face was priceless! And then our picture: "But of course! I insist upon it," in that quintessential Goldblum-esque fashion!

Billy was excellent in the show. This is the third show I've seen him in, and he continues to impress. Sure, I'm swayed more than a bit by his incredibly pretty face, but he is very, very talented. He was surprisingly nice at the stage door. I always found him pleasant enough backstage at Arturo Ui, but I'd heard horror (well not horror) stories from other people saying he was a bit of a pompous jerk. I don't know. I can honestly say that every encounter I've ever had w/ him has been fine. He was charming outside the stage door at The Elephant Man, as well as yesterday at The Pillowman, and he was the only person to say "excuse me" when plowing by me backstage at Ui. Sure, he wasn't as friendly as some of the others, but he was never blatently rude *cough* John Goodman *cough* And he was super funny and nice at the talkback I went to. Sure, what he did to M-L was definitely sketchy, but he seems nice enough. He came out w/ a motorcycle helmet (not sure where he would go w/ so little time between shows...you'd figure he'd spend 1/2 of it in traffic!) and looked like he was in a bit of a hurry, but he signed for those of us who went up to him and asked, and he was happy to pose for a picture w/ Elphie (you should totally post that somewhere!!!) I told him I'd interned on Ui and that it was nice to see him again (meaning on stage, not like we were buds "nice to see you again") and he said something to the effect of "Really? That's cool. Nice to see you again too." Short and sweet. It would have been nice to have caught him when he wasn't in a hurry so I could have stolen a minute of his time to talk about the genius that is Simon McBurney (the director of Ui).

Oh, Stuhlberg was also a sweetheart! He was very attentive and appreciative of everyone's compliments and congratulations on his nomination, and he was sure to take his time in signing his autograph. It seemed like a great group of people (must be a fun show to work on...nice folks all around, Billy-the eye candy, and Goldblum and all his quirky glory to provide some laughs). Good times!

Coldplay: I can't believe they made us stand there waiting for so long! And I'm still disappointed in Shadow (the guy who was there checking us all in) letting his harem of wenches in, w/ seats no less!)

Let's see...Yeah, we were crazy close! I hope I don't end up on camera. Ok, a passing shot would be fine, but that's it! I wish I hadn't made my pro-MTV comment as we were leaving. I think the only thing more embarrassing than a random shot of me bopping around would be me blabbering incoherrently about what a good idea this Live-Leak thing is. *head desk*

I'm trying to remember some humorous moments that probably won't make the air. Ummm, at one point, Chris asked us if we'd heard the album yet, and when we said yes, he asked how many times. When we said once, he was like "oh that's rubish. You can't get a feel for it after one listen. That's like the first time you have sex. It's just going to be awkward and confusing. But remember, it'll only get better from there."...something to that effect. It was rather funny!
Another one involved him talking w/ some guy in the back who also had a "high hairline." Chris said something about it being unfortunate, that every cm his hair receded was another 12m records he wouldn't sell...this left Phil Collins a bit of a puzzle to him.

What else??? Yeah, Chris was a riot to watch at the piano. He was doing so not-so PG gyrating on his piano stool!! I had a great empty lane free to watch him at the piano, because the camera man was going back and forth, so it left me a great view. And I could not believe how close he was on the cat walk! He has the most amazing blue eyes! He was also sweating quite profusely. When he asked if he could do Square One (the first song) over, he was told by someone on the crew that he'd have to towel off (for continuity) and some chick yelled out "I'll towel you off!"...Oh, and some people pointed out that it was a girl's brirthday, so he went over and gave her a kiss. She looked totally wrecked after that!

Alright, I'm tired of typing. I've got lots of spelling errors, but I don't care!

Oh, and I just peeked at the NJ U2 setlists (I know, I know!) and they've dropped New Year's Day since Chicago!!! BOOO!!!

---

Just a quickie to say that a lot of the Billy bitching came from people pre-MLP. I think a lot of it came from my fellow ushers at Ui who claimed he bitched to someone in the box office about ushers being too loud while the show was on (some of them were pretty loud...I don't know I always watched the show from the mezz or through the cracks in the doors in the orchestra. That cast was too dynamite not to peek in every night for free. It was fascinating to watch roles evolved over the course of a 3 month run...something I'll probably never have another chance to observe, so I took full advantage). I know there was something else people complained about, but I don't remember. Hmmm...oh well.

And yes, Chris was very, very sweaty! Maybe he shouldn't have worn that long-sleeve black tunic! Apparently the little ventillation pit slits didn't help!

---

Let's see if this works...check out his hair. I love that one stray piece! Mabel, if you want I can post the one w/ Jeff Goldblum (either way, I'll send it to you).

Updated On: 5/20/05 at 05:29 PM

Nice pic, Elphie! Post the other one too - I want to see Jeff in his dapper beige suit and pointy leather shoes!

And please gals, cut down on the armpit-talk.

Okay, here it is! Sorry, the shoes (the best part of the ensemble) aren't in it. And he's kneeling a little, that gives you an idea of how tall he is. By the way, can you see the Crudup pic? Because I can't.
ETA: Now I can. That's weird.

Updated On: 5/20/05 at 07:44 PM

Haha. *whispers to Ellie:* yup, I actually think she was a little bit of both (rabid and drunk).
No, she wasn't. But it was 1:30 in the morning and we had been on our feet ALL day, so I'm sure we don't look our best in those pictures.
I'm not sure why the Goldblum one won't show up, let me work on it.