I’m fairly certain it wasn’t orchestrated that this show would take place twenty years to the day after U2 filmed their legendary Under A Blood Red Sky show at the same venue. I’m pretty sure that it was only picked up on during the day by someone reading off the list of previous shows hung on one of the backstage walls (many of which are literally carved out of the rocks that give the venue its name – giving the backstage a most excellent Flintstones vibe).
Younger folks may not even be aware of the U2 show in question. It was a major milestone in the career of U2, as they went from underground favourites to genuinely winning over the USA. Their show was hit by appalling weather and almost cancelled. In true show-must-go-on fashion, they pulled victory from the jaws of defeat with a stunning live film that helped propel them into the major leagues.
All of this was in mind as the storm rolled in on the Coldplay stage. Video screens were removed from the lighting truss to prevent them from breaking free in the winds and decapitating the band and the first few rows. All around, people were improvising weather-proofing for the gear and hoping for the best. This was a venue quite used to harsh conditions, though, and the roof seemed to be staying put, at least.
Somehow the dreadful weather seemed appropriate on this occasion. I also remember the laser in Clocks looking quite spectacular as it sliced through the rain. Sometimes the event is much bigger than the weather, though…
