5-Day Trip to Seville & Coimbra – Part 3

Part 3, part 2 can be found here.

Thursday, Sept. 30, Seville: Gig Day
The day began at 8:00 with breakfast in Los Columnas, our last of several visits to this gem of a place, one hundred yards from the Cathedral. We then began our search of the nearest supermarket. Seville “Old Town” is a warren of narrow streets, that were built many hundreds of years ago. It is difficult to navigate at times, but the pleasure of getting slightly lost, and what you might find around the next corner makes it all worthwhile. We found the supermarket and loaded up with our usual gig supplies. Plenty of water, fruit — bananas are my fruit of choice for gig days — biscuits and crisps and bars.

We got two taxis and headed straight for the venue, arriving around 9.30. There was a numbering system in place. It was in fairness, being operated with military precision. How it worked was each group of 100 had a “leader”, you had to sign our name on a copy book, and of course write your number on your hand or arm. However, we noticed that some people ahead of us had two numbers written down. What was going on here? “Oh, some people have friends who have not arrived yet,” came the reply. This did not sound very fair, so I suggested I write number ’1′ down on my hand. Laughs followed the sarcastic comment, but seeing as it was so well organised we just went with the flow. We were in the 700 section. Numbering systems in my GA experiences don’t usually work unless there is cooperation with the venue security (more on that later).

The GA queue, was organized very effectively. It snaked around several long rows of trees, where we were perfectly shaded for most of the day. The usual “queue panic move ups” followed.

While in the line, we met Anu from Canada and Sevillian local Maria Carmen, we had a good chat with them. When it was around 16:00, the team leaders (of each 100) came through the queue, and asked that we get in order. Very impressive I thought. When the line started moving into the next section (prior to stadium entrance) the security people were all checking numbers, and telling you to go back if your number was not due for calling. I have never seen this before, and clearly the local security were fully on board with the unofficial numbering system. Not only that, but at least 10 males joined the GA line with no numbers and they were quickly and forcibly removed by security. Quite impressive to see it in action, and a lesson to to other GA queue organizers — if you get cooperation from local security in advance then everyone knows where they stand.

We were left in around 17:00, and got our spot outside the inner circle, about 15 metres left of centre, at the rail. There was Joe, myself, and the three Londoners - Dave, Steve and Paul. Alan & Claire were with some other people as we got split up and they got a good spot at the rail further to the left from where we were. It is very difficult for a group of 10 to stay together all the way to the chosen spot. We would be catching up with them later on, or first thing in the morning. It’s best I find, in GA situations, to keep the group to a maximum of around four or five friends, if possible.

The sun was going down thank God, and although we were in the lovely tree shade for most of the day, it was still very hot. As usual once we got to our spot we stay there until the concert is over. We’ve had lots of practice of this, and it works well. We take it easy on the water. When you think about it, we were there until just around midnight, so that’s seven hours! It’s quite a lengthy spell without a toilet break, but we seem to mange it without a real problem. We were happy with our chosen spot. Joe and myself had already been in the inner circle three times before, and we wanted a change. This was better, I felt I could see more from this position, but it’s 360 so it’s actually impossible to see everything.

Facebook Group U2Sevilla2010 were in the inner circle and had a giant poster of the band dressed as Matadors (a nice Photoshop job), they held it up to a big applause from everyone.

Interpol came on around 20:00 and gave a good performance, if a little same-y. The lead singer had perfect Spanish, and spoke frequently to the crowd. There was the usual 45-minute gap, and although the clock-face on the screen had long since disappeared, there was no sign of the band. Looks like someone got the timing wrong. When “Ground Control to Major Tom” hit the speakers it was like adrenaline shot through the crowd. This audience was really up for it.

Bono came out as usual from the left, and pranced around roaring SEVIYAAA as “The Return Of The Stingray Guitar” was played. The crowd went crazy. This was the first time I heard this track and while I had my doubts about it replacing “Breathe” as the gig opener, it works well enough. Joe caught the opening on his Kodak minicam here. I was hoping for “Spanish Eyes”, which was played at the San Sebastian gig, but it never came. We did get “Mercy” which I think has become the best of the new tracks they have been playing, and “North Star.” (videos taken by Joe - Thanks !)

Other changes from the five U2360 gigs I saw last year includes the new band footage driving around in a Trabant outside the Berlin Olympic stadium circa 1990. Willie Williams spoke of this change in his diary entry dated Sept. 25. It was introduced at the San Sebastian gig, and it’s a welcome addition to the song “One.” There are also the many snippets Bono sings at the end and in between songs. The encore had “Ultraviolet,” which I rate very highly. Bono’s brother Norman was at the gig, and he asked us all to sing a quick “Happy Birthday” to him.

“Miss Sarejevo” is also back on the setlist after being dropped for the North American leg in 2009. It’s prefaced by “In A Little While” and it works extraordinarily well. At the end of the two tracks the video screen shows some of the questions u2.com asked us to send in last July.
An excellent gig, the band were on top form and the Spanish crowd was really excited. We had three tracks we had not heard live before, and a there was several other changes on the setlists from last year. A great view from outside the inner circle at the rail which made a big difference to the overall enjoyment of the gig. There is not as much neck strain either as you are a little further back to be able to take in the overall show. Definitely the best spot I have been across the 6 U2 360 gigs I have been at so far. We’ll be coming here for for Coimbra I thought to myself.

After the show, I took the advice of Sevillian local Carmen, and we walked over the bridge, and we found an area exactly as she had suggested. Lots of bars with tables outside, where you could get drinks and bring a take away to the table. I got the beers in, and Steve & Dave headed off to get five pizzas. We were all set, and the food did not last long. We had such good fun, sitting outside, it was still warm enough. It was time to say goodbye to the three Londoners: Steve, Dave and Paul. Great to meet up with yee, yet again. A U2 trip is definitely not the same without you. We are all on the same page for U2 trips - up early get a good spot, have a few laughs along the way, and ye are the best blaggers around.

Pictures from today are here.
Part 4 - “An Epic journey” to Coimbra is coming soon.

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One Response to “5-Day Trip to Seville & Coimbra – Part 3”

  1. scotty 14 October 2010 at 4:39 am permalink

    Great stuff Donal, a welcome distraction from the drudgery of work on cold Autumn day! Looking forward to your next installment.