U2
Soldier Field
Chicago, Illinois
September 12, 2009

2009 U.S. Tour opener

Source: Audio Technica AT-899 omnis => Edirol R-09 @ 24-bit
Transfer: R-09 => WAV => Audition => dither to 16-bit wav => Magix Audio Cleaning Lab => WAV => FLAC (level 8)

Location: Stage right, ~50 back (right behind red zone, in line with overhead stack)

Track listing:

Disc one (63:13):
(1) Breathe (5:27)
(2) No Line on the Horizon (4:19)
(3) Get On Your Boots (4:09)
(4) Magnificent (5:27)
(5) Beautiful Day (6:30)
(6) Elevation (3:39)
(7) Band introductions (1:34)
(8) I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For => Stand By Me (7:02)
(9) Stuck In A Moment (4:58)
(10) Unknown Caller (5:56)
(11) The Unforgettable Fire (4:38)
(12) City of Blinding Lights (5:23)
(13) Vertigo (4:03)

Disc two (66:27):
(1) I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight (6:27)
(2) Sunday Bloody Sunday (4:43)
(3) Pride (In The Name Of Love) (3:40)
(4) Bono speech (1:57)
(5) Walk On (6:25)
(6) Where The Streets Have No Name (5:57)
(7) Encore break (1:03)
(8) Desmond Tutu speech (taped) (1:49)
(9) One (4:32)
(10) Bad (7:02)
(11) Encore break (0:39)
(12) Maya Angelou speech (2:29)
(13) Ultra Violet (Light My Way) (5:00)
(14) With or Without You (5:26)
(15) Bono remarks (1:21)
(16) The Moment of Surrender (8:00)

MD5 checksum file is included. Sorry, no artwork.

Comments:

I've seen U2 only 14 times since 1992, but I have to say, this is my least favorite. The show itself is visually spectacular, but the performance didn't do anything to turn around my dim view of the new album. However, if you are a fan of the newer material, you will find this to be a spirited performance by an energized band eager to prove themselves anew to America. I didn't like the show, but I figured that there are a few people around the world waiting for this.

I was located in line with the overhead speaker stack to the side of the stage -- the sound was great, and I was lucky to be in somewhat of an oasis of no talkers/screamers. Given that there were 65,000 people present last night and the closest one could get to the speakers was probably 50 yards away, I was pretty happy with the sound quality.

Hope I enjoy the show tonight a little more, now that I know what to expect .... and hope that U2 fans around the world enjoy this recording. Since it was the opening night of the tour, U2 tapers from everywhere flew in for this one; this source should hold you until the big boys get home and convert their recordings.