Well, U2 did not disappoint last night at Giants Stadium. They’re the gold standard in live music today, thanks to a deep catalogue of memorable (and mostly timeless) songs, expert stagecraft, and a genuine affection for each other that adds to the uplifting vibe of the music. A birthday shout-out to Garden State Godfather Bruce Springsteen–and ensuing cover of “She’s the One” (cheesily retooled to be “He’s the One”)–segued nicely into the Bo Diddley riff of “Desire” and set the show apart from others on U2′s tour.
I dreaded the drive, but we left Hawthorne at 7, flew over over the Tap-Z, navigated some heretofore unknown Jersey byways (we were excited to pass Satin Dolls, a.k.a., the Bada Bing, in Lodi), and cruised into the parking lot by 8. All the while we had a nice soundtrack of U2 B sides and live tracks on radio station 101.9. We were directed to lot area 9Y out past the race track, which was a hike to the stadium if you didn’t opt for the shuttle bus. The Missus, shod in her East Village hipster kicks, didn’t love the 15-minute walk, but our placement there contributed to us zipping out at the end of the show with nary a hint of congestion.
As we pulled out of the lot, we did see the shiny silver new train heading toward Secaucus Junction.
Unfortunately, reviews of the rail service don’t appear to be all that favorable. I saw this on this cool new social networking thing called “Facebook.”
-NJ Transit SUX!
-NJ sucks period…except for the Giants stadium
-How long did you wait to get on train? I waited almost an hour & a half. I didn’t have a problem @ NY Penn b/c I brought my train tickets in advance & just got on any train going to Secaucus
-It actually worked great for me getting to and from the show last night…but then again I am a ninja…[Editor's Note: He's not really a ninja.]
-Steve did you take the train? It was a nightmare and I’m not doing it again when they return in July. Next time I’m taking my car.
-I saw it on the news. They said it was because there were not enough ticket machines, but they had plenty of trains.
-I did take the train but bought my round trip beforehand so just jumped on board -I did the same – bought my tickets for last night & tonight in advance.
-what were you thinking? You knew you were gonna return right? That’s the trick, have a return tix
-sadly this is why everyone leaves giants games early. to avoid these headaches.
-Maurice I bought a round trip it still took me 2 hours to get home. It got scary at one point cos the crowd pushed thru the barricades and people were getting crammed. The problems were not just the ticket machines — NJ Transit workers had NO information and when they gave directions it was incorrect (thats lucky enough if you found a worker). The trains were going 1 mile per hour and they were jam packed. Not safe in the least bit.
——–
With that in mind, I’m glad me and the Missus, in the spirit of Springsteen, took our chrome wheeled, fuel injected car through the swamps of Jersey instead of opting for public transportation.
The show was fun but that was a fleeting memory as I tried to get home. I had my train tickets in advance. The problem was the lack of preparation by NJTransit. As a result of their lack of foresight, they turned what could have been a nice evening out into something reminiscent of some bad Holocaust movie. It took us several hours to get out of NJ. I really thought we would be stranded and though I don’t know for sure, it wouldn’t surprise me if people were. Horrible.
The first concert I ever attended was a U2 concert for my twelfth birthday back in 1993. I was the *only* kid in my middle school in Houston to have gone to the show, which made many of my classmates quite green with jealousy and made me very popular for quite some time, too. At first nobody believed that I was going, but that all changed when I showed up the morning after the concert rather sleep deprived, grinning like an idiot, wearing an Achtung Baby shirt (which my ultra-religious Christian mom hated), and flashing the ticket from the previous night’s show. Ahhh, the joys of youth!
My Dad got the third row seats for him and I and surprised me with them in a U2 CD the week before my birthday. He said that he knew I wanted to go to the concert so badly, but he just simply couldn’t afford the tickets and he hoped that this CD would make up for the disappointment . . . and he kept a perfect poker face through it, too! When I saw the tickets, I was speechless. He’s the best Dad ever.
I had the time of my twelve-year-old life that night.
And while I’ve been to every single U2 concert in Texas (and a few in surrounding states, too) since, nothing quite compares to that first one. The floor show for “Mysterious Ways” at that concert still gives me shivers!
I know this doesn’t have anything to do with the train transit lines and nothing to do with the U2 show you attended, but reading your review reminded me of my first U2 concert (and first concert, really, period! Well, my first *major* show, at least in my opinion!) and I just kinda thought I’d share.
They are one amazing act to see and each show is quite different. I’ve never seen a band have such verve in every single concert they put on, never phased or jaded, really, and seemingly fresh after rigorous and taxing travels all over the country and world. Each tour has a feel all it’s own, and from show to show each has a slight twist while keeping with the overall feel. They’re incredible, really. As a performing artist myself, I know how hard it can be to keep going on the road sometimes, but they never let it show. U2 – just plain awesome. I’m glad you had a great time! I can’t wait to see them again.
Reese,
Hi! I wanted to ask you a question. This will be my first time seeing U2! I actually got floor tickets and am SO excited. My question is what time do you think I have to go wait in line to be one of the first 30-50 in? I’ve never seen a concert from the floor.
I was planning on getting there around 1 p.m. Do you think that’s early enough?
Also, I heard there is an inner circle of their stage. Do people get in there with regular floor tickets or do you think they are specially reserved VIP tickets?
Any insight you have for getting a good spot and enjoying the show would be appreciated!
I am assuming you are going?