U2 Live
I just caught a few songs of 'U2 Live in Chicago' which was just broadcast on Channel 4. The whole thing is coming out on DVD soon (may even be out now) and it's DEFINITELY going on my Christmas list. I have the last two U2 DVDs and I REALLY want this one.
U2 concerts are like religious experiences. I don't think any person, no matter whether they like U2 particularly or not could go and see this band live, or even watch a DVD of this band live and not feel moved by it. It's hard to explain in words, it's just something that anyone who has been to a U2 show will KNOW and I hope someone who has only seen them on TV will understand as well. That feeling of euphoria. Being a part of something so big and yet so special and in a strange way something so personal.
I guess that's why the DVDs are so good if you have been to the show - it stirs up all the feelings and emotions that you felt on that day, the memories, the people you were with, the songs, the high-lights...the whole event. U2 shows are such an audible and visual overload, a sensory overload that it's hard to take it all in. That's why having a document of this will be so great - you know there'll be loads of things you missed that you will now discover, as well as all those moments that will trigger your memories and feelings.
Another thing that always amazes me if how real they are. When they tour the world they will no doubt play well over 100 shows per year. Meaning on average they probably play a show every three nights for a year, and yet whenever you seem them live (in the flesh or on TV) each show is so special. I've felt that they were just going through the motions as so many bands at a similar level inevitably do when playing so many shows. U2 mean every single word and every single note, every single night. And that's one of the things that makes them so special. There's no one else like them.