U2 SNL video of "I Will Follow" here.
As Randy Reichardt and Lono have already ably and passionately described, U2 brought down the house last night on SNL, first blowing through the greatest rock single of the year, the effervescent and elevating "Vertigo," then easing things down for "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own."
We were in bed struggling to stay awake until U2's second song at about 12:40 and shut it off immediately after the applause died down. Woe woe woe to us because U2 returned for an encore in place of the night-nights, driving cast and audience out of their minds with "I Will Follow," their very first hit and still once of my very favorite U2 songs.
I would be far more down than I am about missing it if it wasn't for the glorious bounty of the Internet, for I just watched a QuickTime version of the performance courtesy the exceptional U2log.com site. Apparently U2 performed three MORE songs after NBC cut off the live feed at 1am, including an encore of "Vertigo" and "All Because of You."
Why U2? Who cares? Millions do because THEY still do, as exemplified by going the extra mile, reveling in the moment, doing what they do best as if the party had just begun 25 years on. No other rock band has remained at the center of the action, been on the tip of the most viciously contemporary tongues, been this real and important this far into their careers, with the possible exception of Bruce Springsteen, who at this point isn't so much contemporary as timeless. U2 is timeless AND contemporary and that is some potent magic.
And check this out, also via U2log, MTV is presenting a
- surprise performance by one of the BIGGEST ROCK BANDS in the WORLD!! This event has been kept a secret because of the sheer magnitude of this band, but now some of you lucky 1iota members will be in on the secret... Come down to the show location in Brooklyn on monday and you'll be in for one of the best performances of your life!
Article comments
1 - Distorted Angel
I look forward to spending much of my time online with Ticketmaster next year, cursing loudly...
2 - Triniman
Great post, Eric. I couldn't agree with you more about U2 being timeless and contemporary.
I missed SNL this past weekend but I did watch "I Will Follow" on the U2log.com site. I wonder if the entire SNL performance is posted anywhere?
3 - Eric Olsen
thanks T-man, I'll keep looking for more video - it'll turn up somewhere
4 - Eric Olsen
updated with audio of "Vertigo" and "Sometimes.." and bittorrent of whole show.
5 - ClubhouseCancer
They were great, but it's also sad that when the show ran four minutes short, the best thing they had was another tune from the band. Saturday Night Live is as awful and unfunny as it has ever been in its history. This week's show was a new low.
But boy, U2 were on. I'm goin' to the Brooklyn Bridge!!!
6 - Eric Olsen
CC,let us know how it goes! I agree SNL has not been very consistent this year, but I think they are having to realign after losing so many of their stars over the last couple of years