Joining the Circus

Yesterday, Vancouver-based U2 fans were treated to a special surprise — around 1:30 p.m. local time, U2 fan sites and area radio stations announced that the band would be shooting a video at GM Place, where they will perform two concerts today and tomorrow. Folks wishing to be part of the live audience were instructed to arrive at the venue immediately to line up for wristbands, which were to be distributed at 3:00 p.m. to the first 4,000 fans.

Luckily, @U2 staffers Teresa and Tassoula were already in town, hot on the trail and simply walked across the street to obtain their wristbands. Queuing at 1:40 p.m., T-n-T were approximately 53 and 54 in line (though they were never officially numbered) and there was no waiting. Venue staff cruised the line, placing each wristband on every individual arm and fans were allowed to come and go freely until 4:30 p.m., making sure (if possible) to return cell phones, pagers, beepers, cameras and any recording devices to their vehicles. If not, they would have to be checked in, which would lengthen the process considerably.

T-n-T quickly deposited their contraband back at their hotel room and returned to the line, confident that they were merely a few hours away from showtime. In reality, the next update they received was from U2 crew members who cased the line asking for U2.com members with evidence of their member status (4:00 p.m.). What they found was that not many folks (who had just been asked to remove their electronics from the premises) carry around a heavy metal card that typically provides no benefits upon presentation. Frightened, one T ran back to the hotel and retrieved hers, only to find out that it again provided no benefits upon presentation. Apparently, the crowd they got was more casual-fan-ready-for-their-close-up than die-hard-former-Propaganda-member-with-evidence-of-their-status.

It really became evident when everyone read the large bold sign that explained the video shoot was for the song “City of Blinding Lights” and started asking folks around them what type of song that was. One “fan” claimed “If it’s anything like R.E.M.’s ‘Everybody Hurts,’ I’m outta here.” Hardly a U2 family reunion.

As the day progressed it was clear the 5:00 p.m. target time for entry into the venue was just a joke. At 6:00 p.m. fans in line received word that 6:30 p.m. or no later than 7:00 p.m., they would definitely be let in and were given tickets with assigned seats. Cool! Except, the tickets were slightly out of order and T-n-T got separated. Oh well, the floor wristbands hadn’t been distributed, so there was still hope they’d make it in … until the stampede, which happened moments later as overzealous fans shoved and pushed their way to the front, hopping over barricades and slamming past other fans who’d been there longer to receive the coveted yellow bands. Not exactly organized.

The rumor was that they ran out of yellow bands after 100 fans had received them, but everyone was to report to their assigned seats anyway for the first part of the show.

At 7:06 p.m. Teresa and Tassoula entered the venue and took their seats in the fifth row, on The Edge’s side (trading spaces with other attendees so they did get to sit together). The crew scurried around preparing the equipment and instruments while U2 Stage Manager Rocko Reedy emerged to give instructions to the crowd. He asked that everyone simply act like they’re at a concert when the band is on the stage (be loud, etc.), and when they exit the stage “chill” (quietly) so the crew can discuss what needs to happen next.

At 8:23 p.m. U2 finally arrived to a warm welcome and went straight into “City of Blinding Lights” featuring the full pixel-panel effects, but neglecting to drop the confetti. Bono sang close to the rest of the band, demonstrating familiar dance moves and leaning on Adam for one verse. The crowd was responsive, but not many folks were singing along despite the great energy of the band. At the close of the first take, Bono jokingly said “We’ll play it a million times until Edge gets it right.” The crowd laughed and they launched into it for a second time.

After that, the band took a break as directors Alex Courtes and Martin Fougerol reviewed the footage and Bono took to the mike.

Bono: You’re the third contestant on Pop Idol! (approaching The Edge) Edge, are you nervous?

The Edge: (in a tiny voice) Yes. (laughter)

Bono: Is your mom here?

The Edge: (same tiny voice) Yes. (laughter)

Bono: (traveling back to the drum kit) Larry – what do you want for your birthday?

Larry: World peace.

Bono: (moving on to Adam) Why do you want to be the next Pop Idol?

Adam: So I can travel and meet people. (laughter)

What happened next? Everyone did the Hokey Pokey and they shook it all about. Seriously. Bono started “You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out” and the crowd (who actually knew the words to that tune) joined in.

Following that, it was two more doses of “COBL,” then the band took a break, played it one more time and took another break.

Before the sixth performance, Rocko returned to the stage and ordered folks that had yellow wristbands to file down the stairs in orderly lines and enter the ellipse. What really happened resembled the 80s video game Centipede, where the little worms start down the trail very orderly, then get faster and faster as their enemies try to eat them. It was a clumpy mess with yellow-wristbanded fans crowding the entrance, going in before their section was called and non-yellow-wristbanded fans complaining about their bad luck and shouting mean things.

Eventually, everyone was brought onto the floor for the confetti/special effects shot and the band sang the song one final time. The crowd grew restless and shouted about how hungry (for food) they were, to which Bono replied “This is sort of like a club show. You know I never liked club shows much … but I like this one (laughs, then looks to Larry). Lawrence?”

Cut to a powerful, passionate, hard-core rendition of “Vertigo” with the crowd singing, knowing all of the words and performing the way the crew had been encouraging them to act all along. It was live.

Following that, it was straight into “All Because of You” with Bono taking his jacket off and hitting the tambourine. He then thanked the crowd for coming and left the stage.

At that point, folks were ready for more and starting chanting “One more!” “One More!” And after just a few minutes, the band returned, Bono said “Okay, one more. I’m going to try to calm myself down with this one. This is for my old man Bob Hewson.”

Cut to a heartfelt version of “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own” (with Bono keeping the shades on), one more “thank you” to the crowd and that was that.

The fans were told more filming would take place at today’s show, so at this point it’s hard to envision what the crew will create from the video shoot footage and what they obtain tonight.

The more you learn the less you know, the less you find out as you go.