Sunday 26th August U2OPIA King Billy Pub Hull (2/2) By Michelle Dee (Joshua Twigg)

(1/2), (2/2).

You could hear all the instruments too; bass and drums working together whilst not overpowering, first the vocals or the guitar and keys. This was evident throughout the set, none more so on Sometimes you can't make it on your own, sang with a passion and poignancy, I'm sure Bono felt when he wrote the song the night before his fathers sad passing. The less uninhibited continue to dance and sway to Beautiful Day and more people are drawn in to the pub by the iconic U2 hits. Next, a song that was written by Bono and Greenday, to raise awareness off the plight of flood victims in New Orleans.

Those poorest of the poor, left to suffer by the U.S. Government forgotten until International aid agencies began to ask questions at to the government led response. The song The Saint starts with the unmistakable and fitting line, There is a house in New Orleans then continues with an explosive drum pattern. The song has a recognisable Green Day punk rock hook that works well with the U2 stadium rock sound.

Lee, well aware of the songs providence and emotive power, dedicates it to all those affected and still being affected on a day to day basis by the torrents of flood water that ruined so many lives in this city. He reminded the crowd again about the Free event that he is heavily involved with promoting and that is the Flood Aid Event 9th September in Queens Gardens, Hull - where U2OPIA will be playing. The band finished their first set with an atmospheric rendition of Unforgettable fire, that same burning passion appears to run through the band, that unswerving belief in the power of entertainment. U2OPIA play to those who want to listen, and share with them a love for U2 the band and the music, whether that be fifty or five hundred people.

"A DJ would be good right now," as the last notes fade states itsl engineer Mike Shindigg. I overhear the band congratulating itsl on the mix, agreeing that it is spot on.

Second half and Elevation, there's a noticeable increase in numbers and noise level. Mysterious Ways has more people dancing and I notice one group that walk into the pub already singing. One Love, the live version, gets more than a few accolades, "Yeah they're better than good," says one. "Get 'em on X Factor, says his mate. "That was awesome," concludes a third.

It's the attention to detail I think, the importance of having something of the same guitar sounds. Not just in the notes and timing, but the effects that shape the resulting sound. Within the songs there are crucial moments that you listen out for, certain tones and hidden hooks that help recreate the band in your head as well on stage.

Another favourite of mine, Bullet the Blue Sky, is again faithfully reproduced, right down to the timing and attack of the damning closing lines. This was a song that painted a pejorative picture of the dangerous climate of armament readiness and proliferation in the U.S. Once again this brought U2's staunch political beliefs to the attention of the wider world. I still haven't found, another one taken from the Joshua Tree album, and a solid guitar solo from the aforementioned hirsute Steve.

I note once again the vocal harmonies, this time on Pride but now some of the crowd are too drunk to appreciate subtleties.

Some guy at the front keeps falling to the floor landing on his hands, in some bizarre display of strength. The last number I will follow seems to go down well but to be brutally honest U2OPIA are far more than this bunch of drunken fools deserve. The band did do an encore but the vast majority of the crowd couldn't have cared one jot. I feel strongly that U2OPIA should stay away from these kinds of townie pubs particularly on a bank holiday weekend. I don't care how much love for your craft you have in your soul, if you keep getting the kind of response witnessed tonight or lack there of, you're just going to get pissed off with doing it.

It must have choked Lee when he thanked them for being such a brilliant crowd, when they clearly were not. If the band could get some big exposure, more shows out of town and some large scale Hull ones, I can see them in a year or so filling somewhere like Hull City Hall, or the Playhouse in Leeds, then who knows? www.myspace.com/u2opia www.u2opia.info

Sound & lighting by www.itslmusic.co.uk Check out U2opia tour dates on thisisUll.com

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