Even Better than the Real Thing (well, almost)

If you've never been to a U2 concert in person before, you should spend the $12 to go see the U23D movie because its hard to come by a better experience. I've seen the band live 3 times...and only once I was lucky enough to be in the front row of the ellipse, and it didn't come easily. Nothing can ever compare to being able to stick your arm out and trip Bono as he walks by or have Adam Clayton park himself right in front of you during Streets with No Name. That's unbeatable. But for the people that made up the other 98% of the arena that night and the other two shows I've seen, this movie will get you so close that you might think you can touch these guys for real.

The IMAX had a disclaimer that you might feel motion sickness or you might think things are really moving towards you but its not real so don't panic. Yeah, well when Adam swings the neck of his bass across your face, I'd like to see you not flinch! Or when Bono reaches out to "wipe your tears away" during Sunday Bloody Sunday, you look me in the eye and say that you didn't get butterflies when BONO was looking into your eyes and reaching to caress your cheek. Yeah, don't lie, it seems real all right. There are so many layers its almost more than you can take in. But trust me, you can and its worth it.

More than just the musicians moving around in three dimensions, though, this movie really takes you through the full experience of a U2 concert. It starts out showing a girl panting and running and soon you realize you're running with her down the hallway to get to the front row of the arena...I was immediately brought back to my sprint with Chris and CJ at Madison Square Garden...even my heart was beating faster after that. You also feel like you are part of the crowd...at some points, you're even looking over the shoulder of a girl sitting on her boyfriends shoulders (and we know we've all been stuck in that spot before).

Not only was this a cool movie because it was in 3-D, but I'd say it was their best live DVD to date even in just two dimensions. The set list was great, their energy was strong and the crowd was really into it. Similar to the Slane Castle show during "Out of Control", I got goosebumps during this movie when they'd pan the crowd and they no longer looked like individuals but instead, one massive organism moving in ripples as they bounced up and down. Reminded me of a sound wave pulsing over ball bearings.

I don't want to tell too much more...I want you to experience it for yourself! So be prepared to get rocked off your chair...because you might feel the urge to stand up and cheer...I almost did.

Some articles with reviews...
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/kelso/entries/2008/01/24/if_bob_bullock_new_they_were_s.html

http://www.austin360.com/movies/content/movies/stories/2008/0125U23D.html

The Music that I Want is Cheaper than Therapy

This day finally came after 2 years of anxious anticipation. I fell in love with Rogue Wave after seeing them open for Nada Surf at Emo's in 2006 (see that post here), and they are finally back in Austin. And yes, it was totally worth the wait. As soon as I heard their newest album "Asleep at Heaven's Gate", I knew the show wouldn't disappoint. It wasn't a crazy rock spectacle with lots of tricks up their sleeves. They just got out there and played the songs I love, and the rest of the Parish Room had a great time too.

I knew going into this Jason and I'd probably be two of the few people just obsessed with the band's collective work and most people would show up because of Lake Michigan from the MS Zune commercial. So I wasn't sure how packed it would get. I got there early thinking I needed to get myself a spot up close (and hopefully catch a good opening act), but it wasnt until after RW started that I managed to find a weak spot in the crowd to make my way over to stand on the left bench. Turns out the show ended up selling out after I got there! Made me happy for the band, but made me freakin' sweaty for the whole show!

My view of the stage

My spot on the bench is my favorite place at the Parish to see bands...being a shorty like me, it lets me see over everyone's heads and is pretty close to the stage. Honestly I was confused why I was the first one to get up there! Last time I saw RW, I could've sworn I made eye contact with Zach, the lead singer, a few times. This show, though, I KNOW it happened...and not briefly either. During the second to last song of the encore, Kicking the Heart Out, there is a line about being 25 for an hour...i leaned over to Jason to joke that "hah, I'm 25 for a year!". I stood back up and a bit later Zach was looking right at me and we locked eyes for about 10 seconds. I've never had that happen before! My excitement is not because I was star struck, but its the fact that of all people in the room watching him, he was singing right to me and I felt like I was all of the sudden the only person there. Pretty cool feeling, I must say.

As for the music, they started out strong and rocked out hard for the last part of the show...middle lost some steam with the older material since people didnt know it as well. I was impressed that they managed to keep a great balance between old and new material, because I love it all, and I hope some people got turned on to the older tracks. Harmonium, as expected, rocked OUT. And of course they played Chicago x 12 and [the zune song] Lake Michigan because those tracks are just genius and everyone knew them.

The entire band banging out the intro to Lake Michigan

Zach made good use of the random mannequin head on stage

When some guy shouted "play the zune song!" Zach was like "yeah, i'm gonna be buried and thats what they'll put on my tombstone...'author of the song from the Zune commerical with the dancing rabbits'...wait, that would actually be pretty cool wouldnt it?!" Well that guy only had to wait a bit longer before the band played Lake Michigan and all of them rocked some drumsticks for the intro.

And in Dave Matthews fashion, Zach came out first for the encore and played Eyes and Ghost acoustically.

Songs that I have new appreciation for after the show: Like I Needed, Lullaby, Bird On a Wire, Sewn Up, and Endless Shovel.

Songs I wish they'd done: Phonytown and/or I Can Die because I thought they'd totally rock those songs out, but whatevs...they did a good job with Harmonium and Lake Michigan.

My videos did not turn out so great, probably because I was so close to the amps! So the few photos I have will just have to do!