Lenny Kravitz: Proceed to Floor

Celebrities are so lucky. Not only do they have fame and fortune, they have luck too. Well, most of them have luck.

For U2’s second sold-out show at the Garden this November, a large number of celebrities scanned in Lucky Vertigo and packed the ellipse. Our non-celebrity staff (she’s a star to us!), who was also lucky and landed a spot in the ellipse, identified Lars Ullrich, Michael Stipe, Helena Christensen, Jimmy Fallon, Guggi, and Charlie Rose enjoying the show from inside the ellipse. (For the record, Rose doesn’t rock out. He studies the performance. With a beer in hand.) Bono’s wife Ali and brother Norman were also spotted rubbing shoulders with the celebrities and peon fans at the show.

Meanwhile, back at the mix desk were Lenny Kravitz, Josh Brolin, and “a lot of models” whose tickets apparently did not scan Lucky Vertigo. Awww!

The show was similar to the previous evening’s performance with one difference — the dedications. Bono dedicated “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” to his brother, whom he referred to as “Normal” and credited as being the co-writer of the song; “MLK” was dedicated to JFK; and “Stuck in a Moment” was performed in recognition of the anniversary of Michael Hutchence’s death.

As with the previous night, show opener Patti Smith joined U2 to perform a long version of “Instant Karma.” At one point, Bono and Smith left the stage as The Edge began a spotlight guitar performance. It seemed the audience were expected to finish up the song with The Edge, but when that didn’t happen, Edge left the stage (still playing) and returned with the singers to close the song.

Although “Yahweh” and “40” were listed on the setlist, they were not performed.

28 thoughts on “Lenny Kravitz: Proceed to Floor

  1. I heard a rumour Patti spat on Larry during Instant Karma, that’s why the show ended early. Did anyone see it?

  2. I heard a rumour Patti spat on Larry during Instant Karma, that’s why the show ended early. Did anyone see it?

  3. Larry should be so lucky to have Patti Smith spit on him! No, it did not happen. Larry was the last one to leave the stage at the end of the night. He happily waved at the audience.

    There was, however, an incident earlier in the show. During “The Electric Co.” Bono threw water into the ellipse and one hotshot fan decided to return the shower. Our person in the ellipse said Bono was not happy about getting wet.

    The show didn’t end early. “Yahweh” and “40” were cut because the show ran long. I was told that the band had to leave New York by midnight and get to Canada for tax purposes. I’m not sure how true that is.

  4. Larry should be so lucky to have Patti Smith spit on him! No, it did not happen. Larry was the last one to leave the stage at the end of the night. He happily waved at the audience.

    There was, however, an incident earlier in the show. During “The Electric Co.” Bono threw water into the ellipse and one hotshot fan decided to return the shower. Our person in the ellipse said Bono was not happy about getting wet.

    The show didn’t end early. “Yahweh” and “40” were cut because the show ran long. I was told that the band had to leave New York by midnight and get to Canada for tax purposes. I’m not sure how true that is.

  5. cindy, having read the reviews at u2tours.com, I think there’s something a bit more unusual going on. Your explanation (the show ran long) doesn’t explain leaving suddenly in the middle of the song, then coming back for a bit, then leaving again.

  6. cindy, having read the reviews at u2tours.com, I think there’s something a bit more unusual going on. Your explanation (the show ran long) doesn’t explain leaving suddenly in the middle of the song, then coming back for a bit, then leaving again.

  7. Jeff, our person there said it seemed like Bono and Patti’s leaving the stage was supposed to be a dramatic exit and the singers were hoping the audience would finish the song (a la “40”), but it didn’t happen. The audience didn’t know they were supposed to sing as The Edge played, so the singers returned to the stage and finished the song. I was listening in via phone. It sounded confusing, but not awkward in the sense that something was wrong.

  8. Jeff, our person there said it seemed like Bono and Patti’s leaving the stage was supposed to be a dramatic exit and the singers were hoping the audience would finish the song (a la “40”), but it didn’t happen. The audience didn’t know they were supposed to sing as The Edge played, so the singers returned to the stage and finished the song. I was listening in via phone. It sounded confusing, but not awkward in the sense that something was wrong.

  9. I love Instant Karma just like the next person, and I loved it the night before, but how the hell is anyone suppossed to know that we’re suppossed to finish a U2 show singing along to that? When was the last time U2 show finished a show with A COVER! That’s crap. They should close with “40” or “Bad”.

    And where the hell were the surprises? Basically same set as the night before. No “Walk On” acoustic or “Wild Horses”? Christ, at least do People Have the Power with Patti Smith. And that Getting over the Canadian Border excuse is weak as hell. The show ended at 11:15-11:20. You think the guys wouldn’t hang out with Stipe, Ulrich et al. for at least 45 mins. after? Worst U2 show I’ve ever been to due to the expectations that were set for it (last night in NY, Patti Smith etc.).

  10. I love Instant Karma just like the next person, and I loved it the night before, but how the hell is anyone suppossed to know that we’re suppossed to finish a U2 show singing along to that? When was the last time U2 show finished a show with A COVER! That’s crap. They should close with “40” or “Bad”.

    And where the hell were the surprises? Basically same set as the night before. No “Walk On” acoustic or “Wild Horses”? Christ, at least do People Have the Power with Patti Smith. And that Getting over the Canadian Border excuse is weak as hell. The show ended at 11:15-11:20. You think the guys wouldn’t hang out with Stipe, Ulrich et al. for at least 45 mins. after? Worst U2 show I’ve ever been to due to the expectations that were set for it (last night in NY, Patti Smith etc.).

  11. ‘You think the guys wouldn’t hang out with Stipe, Ulrich et al. for at least 45 mins. after?’

    No. They often don’t hang out. They often do runners. Sometimes they bring their guests with them on the runner. Sometimes even U2 have to comply with airport authorities.

  12. ‘You think the guys wouldn’t hang out with Stipe, Ulrich et al. for at least 45 mins. after?’

    No. They often don’t hang out. They often do runners. Sometimes they bring their guests with them on the runner. Sometimes even U2 have to comply with airport authorities.

  13. Maybe Edge stayed to deal with all the celebrity guests? 😉 He’s married to an American. He can stay in New York all he wants. The rest of ’em got the boot.

    I think scrutinizing the ending of the show serves no purpose. Perhaps Patti Smith was sick, perhaps Bono had a headache, perhaps Adam broke a fingernail. It was a full show with songs, dedications, an opening act, etc. If you were there, you should be happy — because there were a lot of people who wanted to be there but weren’t. Even if it were the worst U2 show ever, I would have rather been there than not been there at all.

  14. Maybe Edge stayed to deal with all the celebrity guests? 😉 He’s married to an American. He can stay in New York all he wants. The rest of ’em got the boot.

    I think scrutinizing the ending of the show serves no purpose. Perhaps Patti Smith was sick, perhaps Bono had a headache, perhaps Adam broke a fingernail. It was a full show with songs, dedications, an opening act, etc. If you were there, you should be happy — because there were a lot of people who wanted to be there but weren’t. Even if it were the worst U2 show ever, I would have rather been there than not been there at all.

  15. When I thought about it, I knew that there was no way the guys could get to the airport and in the air before midnight, given NYC skies and the rough winds last night. I think the early start/abrupt end was an MSG/tech thing as they were doing the fastest breakdown after a gig I have ever seen, the second it was over, MSG staff started taking away the GA barriers (barely had time to grab my coat before it was whooshed away) and the ellipse had already been taken apart before I even got off the floor of the arena! Also, at least a couple of trucks were already loaded and on the road before midnight, I saw them driving down 34th St.

  16. When I thought about it, I knew that there was no way the guys could get to the airport and in the air before midnight, given NYC skies and the rough winds last night. I think the early start/abrupt end was an MSG/tech thing as they were doing the fastest breakdown after a gig I have ever seen, the second it was over, MSG staff started taking away the GA barriers (barely had time to grab my coat before it was whooshed away) and the ellipse had already been taken apart before I even got off the floor of the arena! Also, at least a couple of trucks were already loaded and on the road before midnight, I saw them driving down 34th St.

  17. Oh yes, Bono also said before Original of the Species that Catherine Owens had recently been working on some extraordinary (or comparable superlative, I forget) video for the song that we will see soon, I’m guessing this will be the video for the single. I should’ve mentioned that to your staff as I was there when she calling in the report, but none of us remembered then. 🙂

    I can confirm Patti Smith was not drunk, did not spit on Larry nor appeared sick. She did spit an awful lot (not on the audience) during her set though.

  18. Oh yes, Bono also said before Original of the Species that Catherine Owens had recently been working on some extraordinary (or comparable superlative, I forget) video for the song that we will see soon, I’m guessing this will be the video for the single. I should’ve mentioned that to your staff as I was there when she calling in the report, but none of us remembered then. 🙂

    I can confirm Patti Smith was not drunk, did not spit on Larry nor appeared sick. She did spit an awful lot (not on the audience) during her set though.

  19. My last comment didn’t make it, but i will say again, no way would larry be honored/happy to be spat on by Patti. although a r&r legend, there is only one person that i would be happy if they spat on me…’er, ok NO-ONE!!
    Cindy hit it right on…rather to have been there then not~
    the worst U2 show is better than the best of others, at least for this 26 year fan…
    it all started at a small club in New Haven Connecticut called Toads Place…what a night that was and what a night THEY ALL ARE!!!

  20. My last comment didn’t make it, but i will say again, no way would larry be honored/happy to be spat on by Patti. although a r&r legend, there is only one person that i would be happy if they spat on me…’er, ok NO-ONE!!
    Cindy hit it right on…rather to have been there then not~
    the worst U2 show is better than the best of others, at least for this 26 year fan…
    it all started at a small club in New Haven Connecticut called Toads Place…what a night that was and what a night THEY ALL ARE!!!

  21. Being my first U2 show ever I thought it was the best show I’ve ever been to. Sure the ending kind of caught me off guard, it did look like they were going to come back out again since the lights were still off for at least a minute, but looking back on all the amazing songs they played I was so happy. I can’t wait until the next tour!

  22. Being my first U2 show ever I thought it was the best show I’ve ever been to. Sure the ending kind of caught me off guard, it did look like they were going to come back out again since the lights were still off for at least a minute, but looking back on all the amazing songs they played I was so happy. I can’t wait until the next tour!

  23. Hey everyone. I’m the incredibly lucky 13 year old girl Bono pulled onstage last night. If any of you have pictures, please feel free to email them to me at Circa1992@aol.com because our digital camera was broken! I really enjoyed the show, even with the abrupt ending. I guess being pulled on stage during Mysterious Ways helped. But being so close to them (the front row, Adam’s side) was just the most amazing experience ever! Their music just fills me with such joy and pleasure, I don’t know what I’d do without it. My mom is TOTALLY jealous that I was the one who got pulled up and not her; she’s been a huge fan for 18 years. All in all, it was just a surreal experience and I can’t wait to see them again!

  24. Hey everyone. I’m the incredibly lucky 13 year old girl Bono pulled onstage last night. If any of you have pictures, please feel free to email them to me at Circa1992@aol.com because our digital camera was broken! I really enjoyed the show, even with the abrupt ending. I guess being pulled on stage during Mysterious Ways helped. But being so close to them (the front row, Adam’s side) was just the most amazing experience ever! Their music just fills me with such joy and pleasure, I don’t know what I’d do without it. My mom is TOTALLY jealous that I was the one who got pulled up and not her; she’s been a huge fan for 18 years. All in all, it was just a surreal experience and I can’t wait to see them again!

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