He was in his mid-late 20s when Joshua Tree was released and now he's 57. He's not a young man anymore and he's obviously not going to sound like it. I think people are being way harsh on him.
I think a big part of it is that U2 avoided the "legacy act" phase of their careers far longer than most. This tour is really the first time they're doing things the way most of their same age peers do, and it's a bit of an adjustment for many fans.
Finally a live version of this song... I like it but it's a pity they didn't perform it back when he still had his prime voice, great vid anyway, thanks!
Yes unfortunately it catches up with us all. I was extremely spoilt seeing them back in the day. Don't get me wrong this sounds pretty brilliant. Great to hear it live.
What many fail to realize is voices change and bands mature in 30+ years. U2 were only in their mid 20's when this album was recorded in 1986 and toured the following year. U2 fans set the bar high and expect the intensity of the album and tour to equal that of 1987. I saw The Joshua Tree shows 4 times in Chicago and to this day are still the most incredible concerts I have seen as I have seen many in my 50 years. Bare stage back then...void of flash but solid, intense, raw rock and roll filled with anger and angst. Hard to expect a band approaching 60 years of age to repeat what they did 30 years ago. "Red Hill..." , a very vocaslly demanding song for instance kicked down a notch to match Bono's octave change. Although the magic of the 1980's U2 will never be repeated/duplicated, it is cool U2 decided to tour the album to give a new generation of fans a glimpse of what it was like way back when. It also brings back memories of those that were there in 1987. Vancouver was just the first date of the tour. The rust of gig one will be gone as the tour progresses.
This is the song that got me into U2. I got a dodgy copy of The Joshua Tree and played it through, and despite the other amazing songs on there this is the one that hooked me.
Thank you so much for an excellent video of that song! been following them since '81 when I cldn't give my second ticket at the LA Sports Arena away...
I was at this show. Main reason it sounds terrible is because the acoustics at BC place suck! I was like 3rd from the barricade on the floor and it was pretty good.
hermosa canción, y pensar que hace 30 años no la tocaban en vivo por la exigencia vocal de la versión de estudio, así de simple suena genial, larga vida a U2 !!!
My favourite U2 song :-). Fantastic to finally hear them play it live. Would of preferred The Edge to play it on guitar but I guess you can't have everything.
I feel like They fucked up this song playing it like this. Edge should be on guitars. And what was going on that screen? it means something or is it just supposed to be bizar? The others songs I watched are all amazing! So excited to see them in Paris and Amsterdam! Cheers from Brazil!
NightWalker bro he played guitar for every song but this one and running to stand still, because this one had multiple guitar parts and running to stand still was always in piano
so very beautiful!!!! thank you U2 - glad u are rockin our souls even still! AND...the salvation army does a great deal of good (musically, socially, prayerfully and heart fully)!!!!!
It's still a beautiful song but lost all the magic as he decided to lower the key for obvious reasons. It was mythical, left unsung live. There was no reason to spoil it.
The only thing this has going for it is the rhythm section. Bono's high range is shot so he slips down an octave often and struggles to hold a note for longer than a few beats. Hope this is just the rust of opening night.
Jota Oliver I heard somewhere that they may do a tour for their upcoming album being released called 'Songs of Experience', That will tie with 'Songs of Innocence', but then again, that was just on a website I found, so maybe they will do another tour.
What do I expect from a live version of Red Hill Mining Town? I was hoping for those delicate arpeggio notes played from edges Strat followed by those long slides.
no me gusto para nada la versión que hicieron, falta la guitarra para este himno !!!! por favor si vienen a Chile, toquen el tema como sale en el disco !!!!!!!
This songneeds two guitarists to sound decent...If Bono could play decent rthytm guitar Edge would play this on guitar instead of piano...(im sure) But Bono cant play guitar...
The sound has too much going on, and the song doesn't sound good enough. Plenty of room for improvement in the mix. Lose the piano, and let's hear Edge's guitar. And forget about the brass band on the screen; show some nature and/or mining scenes. We've been waiting 30 years to hear this live, so make it better.
Good point, I find myself guilty of this, were all sitting here judging bands from a youtube video. noway to recreate the energy in a concert and forget about a proper representation of the sound.
Trevor Robertson what? if you dont like U2 then stop watching videos and music from them and stop making critics :) NOBODY CARES A SHIT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING :)
He was in his mid-late 20s when Joshua Tree was released and now he's 57. He's not a young man anymore and he's obviously not going to sound like it. I think people are being way harsh on him.
I think a big part of it is that U2 avoided the "legacy act" phase of their careers far longer than most. This tour is really the first time they're doing things the way most of their same age peers do, and it's a bit of an adjustment for many fans.
Finally a live version of this song... I like it but it's a pity they didn't perform it back when he still had his prime voice, great vid anyway, thanks!
Yes it was good but the vocals are not what they once were. That's smoking for you :-)
probably just aging too, right?
Yes that too. He was amazing in the 80's and 90's. Great they are still playing now as still 99% better than most. They were just 110% back then :-)
I bet! I wish I could've seen them then, at least we have the footage from that era
Yes unfortunately it catches up with us all. I was extremely spoilt seeing them back in the day. Don't get me wrong this sounds pretty brilliant. Great to hear it live.
I love U2s ability to change a song, this is a great version the more you listen to it
Brilliant 👍🏻
Thank you so much.
Bono's voice is amazing!
OMG can't believe they've played the WHOLE album!! This sons is the best!
Finally Red Hill Mining Town live! Thanks so much U2! Very emotional version!
What many fail to realize is voices change and bands mature in 30+ years. U2 were only in their mid 20's when this album was recorded in 1986 and toured the following year. U2 fans set the bar high and expect the intensity of the album and tour to equal that of 1987. I saw The Joshua Tree shows 4 times in Chicago and to this day are still the most incredible concerts I have seen as I have seen many in my 50 years. Bare stage back then...void of flash but solid, intense, raw rock and roll filled with anger and angst. Hard to expect a band approaching 60 years of age to repeat what they did 30 years ago. "Red Hill..." , a very vocaslly demanding song for instance kicked down a notch to match Bono's octave change. Although the magic of the 1980's U2 will never be repeated/duplicated, it is cool U2 decided to tour the album to give a new generation of fans a glimpse of what it was like way back when. It also brings back memories of those that were there in 1987. Vancouver was just the first date of the tour. The rust of gig one will be gone as the tour progresses.
Finally a very beautiful song brought back to life
This is the song that got me into U2. I got a dodgy copy of The Joshua Tree and played it through, and despite the other amazing songs on there this is the one that hooked me.
beautiful song great version
Amazing. What legends.
Thank you so much for an excellent video of that song! been following them since '81 when I cldn't give my second ticket at the LA Sports Arena away...
I am so grateful to everyone uploading this 💚
I really liked this, don't see what people are complaining about. I wish they would have the brass band live one day.
I was at this show. Main reason it sounds terrible is because the acoustics at BC place suck! I was like 3rd from the barricade on the floor and it was pretty good.
Finally!!!!! I'm crying brothers!!! :,)
Amazing as always well done boys can't wait to see you in Twickenham x ❤️❤️❤️❤️🎶✌️❤️🎸🥁🎤
I was literally gonna just say that... Finally a live version of this!!!!!!
hermosa canción, y pensar que hace 30 años no la tocaban en vivo por la exigencia vocal de la versión de estudio, así de simple suena genial, larga vida a U2 !!!
Ohhh my gosh, beautiful song.
I like it. Larry and Adam really make it.
tão esperada e a decepção foi enorme. onde está a red hill mining town?
Preferiro acreditar que nunca foi executada ao vivo.
thank you so much...so grateful to everyone who doing the live stream and uploading the tour \m/
My favourite U2 song :-). Fantastic to finally hear them play it live. Would of preferred The Edge to play it on guitar but I guess you can't have everything.
it was best for him not to be on guitar. that way he can play both guitar parts, and the synthesizer.
One of my favourites from Joshua Tree
this song always leave me a teary-eye...i love it!
I feel like They fucked up this song playing it like this. Edge should be on guitars. And what was going on that screen? it means something or is it just supposed to be bizar? The others songs I watched are all amazing! So excited to see them in Paris and Amsterdam! Cheers from Brazil!
Thales Rocha edge played the multiple guitar parts and I think synthesizer on the piano -_-
I love these guys, but this version was very anticlimactic for such an anticipated song.
yesss,for the first time,love this song!!!
Is Edge ever playing guitar again ???
NightWalker bro he played guitar for every song but this one and running to stand still, because this one had multiple guitar parts and running to stand still was always in piano
Masterpiece!
This is fantastic...
I STARTED CRYING WHEN THIS SONG CAME ON IN MY SHOW IN LONDON!!!
We were beside the ramp between stages that night, was incredible.
I wish I was there
These Irish boys still got it,This version so grows on you.Awesome
Wow, he's struggling through this song. I say intro on keys then come in full Edge guitar...Bono has to feel this song again with his vocals.
he was never great at singing it... why do u think he didn't perform in 1987??
I like this. And he sings the best he can, as always. And it's alright.
Por Primera vez y suena hermoso, Hasta mejor que la version en Single que apenas revelaron.
Thanks for sharing 👍
so very beautiful!!!! thank you U2 - glad u are rockin our souls even still! AND...the salvation army does a great deal of good (musically, socially, prayerfully and heart fully)!!!!!
Epic!
Muy linda version de este tema, me encanta
Its 2017 is not 1987 anymore.,,,this is the way it sounds today,,,I liked it
dont know why they never played it live before
MrStonecold69 I think cuz it was too hard for bono to sing
It's still a beautiful song but lost all the magic as he decided to lower the key for obvious reasons. It was mythical, left unsung live. There was no reason to spoil it.
Beautifull
can I ask where you roughly stood, seems a good position for an all round view....
They were at the mixing desk.
Isso me faz feliz!
The only thing this has going for it is the rhythm section. Bono's high range is shot so he slips down an octave often and struggles to hold a note for longer than a few beats. Hope this is just the rust of opening night.
This song destroy his voice, that's why back in the 80's they stopped playing alive RHMT
Maybe we're watching the last tour from U2. Unfortunately.
Jota Oliver not a chance
Jota Oliver I heard somewhere that they may do a tour for their upcoming album being released called 'Songs of Experience', That will tie with 'Songs of Innocence', but then again, that was just on a website I found, so maybe they will do another tour.
They now play it a lower tone than the original version on the album, Fmajor instead of Gmajor ;-) It is actually reasonable...
Love this song but if you want to hear how it should be done live you'll have to listen to a cover by Mike Massé, he totally nails it.
молодчина!
Well done...but why not just tune guitar down a step?
a sonng imposible
I'm a huge fan of U2 but this is a bit of a disappointment. The screen looks great tho !
and what you expect????
What do I expect from a live version of Red Hill Mining Town? I was hoping for those delicate arpeggio notes played from edges Strat followed by those long slides.
Maybe are to difficult to play it live
this version is lacking something
Jay youth... they are no more in his 20s :) but i think that they do it very well for his age and bono has almost the same voice
new song
no me gusto para nada la versión que hicieron, falta la guitarra para este himno !!!! por favor si vienen a Chile, toquen el tema como sale en el disco !!!!!!!
With the piano? NOOOOOOOO :-(
oh no.. playing the same notes on a different instrument for the BETTER... that way he gets both guitar parts, and the synthesizer
This songneeds two guitarists to sound decent...If Bono could play decent rthytm guitar Edge would play this on guitar instead of piano...(im sure)
But Bono cant play guitar...
my ears are bleeding
The sound has too much going on, and the song doesn't sound good enough. Plenty of room for improvement in the mix. Lose the piano, and let's hear Edge's guitar. And forget about the brass band on the screen; show some nature and/or mining scenes. We've been waiting 30 years to hear this live, so make it better.
You can tell how good the mix is from a shitty $5 microphone in an old smartphone? OK.
Good point, I find myself guilty of this, were all sitting here judging bands from a youtube video. noway to recreate the energy in a concert and forget about a proper representation of the sound.
Rich at Large the edge did piano to do the multiple guitar parts -_- I think he also had the synthesizer and trumpets on the keyboard too
I'd be okay without the trendy high-def video screen with the bullshit scenery and just stick to the 1987 vinyl backdrop with the JT.
Bad version. Why on piano??? Not rock!
With piano is easy to sing than with guitars ;)
Gianluca Passeri no there's multiple parts on guitar so he did piano. Rock can have pianos lmao
such a let down. horrible version. edge on piano WTF.
This band totally lost it after achtung baby.
Sam de maeyer ok shit for brains go ahead
you are lost after you born :)
Trevor Robertson what? if you dont like U2 then stop watching videos and music from them and stop making critics :) NOBODY CARES A SHIT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING :)
And most of the band audience totally lost themselves after achtung baby