Media Reviews of eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE

Original Story by Aaron J. Sams (2018-05-23)

Original Story Published May 4, 2018 | Last Updated: May 23, 2018

U2’s iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE tour started in Tulsa on on May 2, and there’s been a rush of reviews of the show from different publications over the last few days. We gathered together a collection of links for you below if you want to catch up on what the press is saying about the first show of the tour, as well as later reviews from each city.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Andy Greene for Rolling Stone: “U2 Dig Deep at Transcendent ‘Experience’ Tour Opener in Tulsa. Skipping most of their most famous songs, U2 fought the easy lure of nostalgia while showcasing hidden corners of their past.”

Jon Pareles for the New York Times: “For decades, the band has treated arenas and stadiums as havens of community through shared songs. This time, the singalongs are mixed with warnings and pleas to save an endangered American Dream”

Pat Carty for Hot Press: “On the opening night of the eXPERIENCE & iNNOCENCE 2018 tour, U2 sprang a number of surprises. Well, what did you expect from the biggest, and most ambitious, rock band in the world?”

Jennifer O’Brien for The Times: “They predicted they would ruffle feathers, and U2’s performance in Oklahoma delivered far more than music, causing quite a stir among the 18,000-strong crowd.” (Requires a subscription to read full article)

Jimmie Tramel for Tulsa World: “Let’s get straight to the point: U2’s first concert in Tulsa in 35 years was a sold-out group hug that lasted two and a half hours (no opening act) and 27 songs.”

Cathleen Falsani for U2.Com: “It was an evening rich in spectacle and surprises with the live debut of songs from band’s new album Songs of Experience, classics from the its epic oeuvre, and a few deep cuts that absolutely thrilled longtime fans.”

Barry Egan for the Irish Independent: “U2’s opening night of eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE tour in Tulsa review: ‘One of the bravest, most powerful and even angriest performances U2 have ever done’”

Neil McCormick for The Telegraph: “U2 interview: ‘What drives us is to try and disprove the naysayers. People don’t hate us enough’” (Requires registration to read full article)

Tanya Sweeney for The Irish Times: “U2 mix memories of Dublin childhood with politics on opening gig of world tour. High-octane visuals help the Irish band deliver a rousing live show in Oklahoma”

Demeiza De-Burca for The Irish Mirror: “U2 promise to thrill fans at Irish gigs as they kick off Experience and Innocence world tour in Tulsa”

St Louis, MO

Mike Sorensen for The Herald-Whig: Superstar rockers U2 delivered on a promised show Friday at the Scottrade Center, following a cancellation last September.

Kevin C. Johnson for St. Louis Post-Dispatch: U2 delivers unmatched extravaganza during Scottrade Center concert

San Jose, California

Tim De Lisle for Event Magazine (Mail Online): Bono – now in high definition! The phenomenal visuals are the highlight as U2 kick off their Experience + Innocence tour in California

Jacob Nierenberg for The Stanford Daily: Can U2 reclaim its punk heritage without relying on past hits?

Jim Harrington for Mercury News: Review: You won’t believe what U2 didn’t play

Joshua Huver for The Bay Bridged: Review and Photos: U2 at SAP Center

Las Vegas, Nevada

Jason Bracelin for the Las Vegas Review-Journal: U2 returns to Las Vegas with unsettling ‘Experience’

Monica Acuna for Vegas Seven: U2’s ‘Experience and Innocence’ Tour Was the Show We Needed

Los Angeles, California

Billl Keveney for USA Today: “Fresh U2 embraces the present in concert tour, but still plays some greatest hits”

Roy Trakin for Variety: U2 Light Up the Forum on Experience + Innocence Tour When it comes to performing live, the band remains the gold (and platinum) standard.

Philip Cosores for Uproxx: After A Major Injury And A Near-Death Experience, U2 Are Making The Most Out Of Their Touring Years

Steve Baltin for Forbes Magazine: Why U2, Four Irishmen, Might Be America’s Greatest Band Ever

Peter Larsen for Los Angeles Daily News: U2 brings ‘Experience + Innocence’ to the Forum for a terrific show

Rozette R for Time Out Los Angeles: U2 embraces augmented reality and ’90s nostalgia at the Forum

Mikael Wood for the LA Times: At the Forum, U2 had the 1990s — when Bono was MacPhisto — on its mind

Xochitl Pena for The Desert Sun: Poignant, powerful, political and pushing the limits, U2 proves they still know how to rock

Shawn Perry for Vintage Rock: Whenever U2 show up in Southern California, it’s an event.

Omaha, Nebraska

L. Kent Wolgamott for the Lincoln Journal Star: U2 offers powerful, uplifting show

Kevin Coffey for Omaha World Herald: In Omaha, U2 puts on a show that’s immersive, unifying and unlike any other

Chicago, Illinois

Jeff Elbel for the Chicago Sun Times: U2 delivers music – and messages – at United Center

Greg Kot for the Chicago Tribune: U2: Beauty and bombast at United Center

Andy Argyrakis for the Illinois Entertainer: U2 provided the bookend to the coming of age journey, stacked with rallying cries against injustice, candid observations of the ills plaguing a fractured society and a shout-out to women’s empowerment.

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