U2 at Seville

U2 were amazing live.


The concert was worth waiting for. Almost a year after I bought the tickets, we saw Bono and his crew perform in front of 80,000 fans last week (30th September).

The Estadio Olympico had never seen so many people in a concert before. We had seats right at the top, a bit far from the stage, but we could see everything. It didn’t matter where we were though because the show was brilliant.

Before U2 came on the crowd were in a lively mood, despite the rubbish Interpol support band, and a Mexican wave whizzed round several times.

They came out to David Bowie's Major Tom and then kicked off with Return of the Stingray Guitar.

 


They played a mixture of classics and new stuff. My best ones were One, Vertigo, Sunday Bloody Sunday, and Magnificent.

Here’s the full playlist.

01. Return Of The Stingray Guitar
02. Beautiful Day
03. New Years Day
04. Get On Your Boots
05. Magnificent
06. Mysterious Ways / My Sweet Lord (snippet)
07. Elevation
08. Until The End Of The World/ Anthem (snippet)
09. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / Many Rivers To Cross (snippet)
10. North Star
11. Mercy
12. Happy Birthday / In A Little While
13. Miss Sarajevo
14. City of Blinding Lights
15. Vertigo
16. Relax (snippet) / Crazy Tonight (Remix) / Relax (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet)
17. Sunday Bloody Sunday
18. MLK
19. Walk On / You’ll Never Walk Alone (snippet)
20. One
21. Amazing Grace / Where The Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love (snippet)
22. Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
23. With Or Without You
24. Moment Of Surrender

Seeing U2 live was the best concert I’ve been to so far. The main stage was set out in 360 degrees and had moving walkways connecting to a circular platform.

Bono rarely stayed in the same place, moving from one side of the stage to the other and getting close to the fans, some of whom had queued up three days to get to the front.

Bono picked one lucky Sevilliana from the crowd to dance with him, even I was jealous.

The event was a success, apart from Interpoo, who were poo. There were no problems with the crowd and everyone was in a jolly mood. Friends of mine said they heard the music from the centre of town.

Hopefully, after U2, other large bands will choose Seville. Last year Madonna came. I’m hoping to see the likes of Robby Williams, Coldplay, and perhaps Elton John.

1 + 1 = 4

Yet again, a waiter tried to con us.


We went out for some Saturday night tapas to Casa La Vuida in Calle Albareda. We’d been there a few times before and like the cosy traditional bar which has reasonable prices considering its right in the centre.

The heavy rain kept most people in doors, but we still had to stand at the bar next to a stinking bucket of boquerones – small slender silver fish. I’m unsure why they were on the bar, with their gormless eyes staring at the customers, but they were.

The five waiters dressed in white and red stripy shirts were rushing about taking orders, shouting at the chef (there was only one), and arguing with each other.

‘What’s your problem?’ said our bossy waiter to a new one.

‘What?’

‘Did you ask that man if he wanted ham or fish croquettes?’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘I heard you; you just presumed he wanted ham, didn’t you?’

‘So what?’

‘So what? You know you must give them the option, now go back and ask.’

So there was some tension flying about.

We ate, drank a couple of beers, and asked for the bill.

‘They’ve done it again,’ I said to Chia.

‘What?’

‘How many beers did I have?’

‘Two.’

‘What does that say?’ I said, showing her the bill.

‘Four.’

I was proud of myself for not getting in a mood with the waiter. I told him I only had two beers and he changed the bill. But there was no apology, no smile, and no tip.

It doesn’t take a maths graduate to know that 1 + 1 = 2. I’d like to believe that the waiter made an honest mistake, but I don’t.

So my advice is check your bills. Spain is in a time of crisis like the rest of the world, but it seems all right that they can try to get one over the rich guiris, if only.