I finally saw U2 live, sort of

February 10, 2008 | In Movies & TV, Music | No Comments

Bono stepped to center stage clad in black and sun glasses, belting out the opening count for “Vertigo,” hovering over a front row ready to receive his gospel of rock & roll.

Funny thing, it happened both live and months ago. It was U2, in 3D. Not the old blue and red glasses that we’ve come to know, but a new and exciting digital experience. “U2 3D” marks the first live action 3D film.

Wearing large clown glasses with grey-hued lenses, my experience of finally getting to see U2 in concert would take place at an IMAX theater, not an arena like I had always assumed.

For my birthday, my Dad took me up to the Minnesota Zoo where the largest screen in Minnesota (6 stories high) was showing the “U2 3D” movie, something I’ve been excited to see since I first heard about it in January.

As a U2 fan, I’ve seen all the concert films on VHS or DVD and have an iPod chock full of b-sides and rarities along with the cannon albums. But I have yet to see the band in person. This felt really close to seeing the band live, in fact it might have even had some advantages to seeing them in person.

Adam Clayton’s bass guitar swings over the crowd, Bono reaches his hand out to touch you on the head and The Edge floats over everyone to stand right in front of you delivering a killer riff, all while drummer Larry Mullen Jr. keeps rhythm and time right next to you.

The experience of digital 3D really gives depth for the viewer, your field of vision seems to go on forever. For a U2 show, you feel like you’re part of the crowd, even to the point of wanting to tell the guy in front of you to put his arms down – only to realize you’re talking to a flat screen.

The band played a lot of classics, including “The Fly,” a personal favorite that was heightened by 3D text floating through the air challenging the viewer to participate in their own mind.

Over all, digital 3D is exciting, fun to watch and an experience I look forward to checking out a few more times.

Upon reflection I’ve used the word “experience” a few times in this post and really that’s what it’s like watching U2 in 3D – it’s an “experience.”