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As I write this article, U2 have now performed 17 shows on the 360 tour. As fate would have it, there have been 17 songs that have been played at every one of those 17 shows. Three other songs have appeared either 14 or 15 times in the 17 shows. Let’s do some math to see what’s going on in the set list of the average show.

The band is averaging 22.8 songs per show to this point.  The 17 songs that have been included in every show to this point take up 75 percent of the set list. You have an 82 percent chance of catching those other three songs I mentioned above in addition to the core of the set to this point. So if you are following the set lists and attend any five shows, you have a greater than four out of five chance of knowing 87 percent of the set list as you walk into the stadium. All you are left to ponder is what 2.8 songs you will get on any given night. On the plus side, they have played a total of 35 complete songs to this point.

What does it all mean? Probably not a lot if you are attending a very limited amount of shows on the tour. If you have attended multiple shows though and variety was important to your enjoyment of those shows, you are likely not a happy camper. If you are a long-time fan of the band and were expecting tremendous variety in the set list, then you have not been paying attention over the years. U2 has always stressed quality over quantity. Whether they could achieve both goals is another topic. I do expect the band to loosen up a bit as the tour continues and in particular when they get past whatever show(s) they choose to be the official DVD of this portion of the tour.

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Last week, Matt gave us some fantastic insight in this column as to the preparation that went into the song "Drowning Man" and why it hasn't made an appearance in full to this point in the tour. That insight came in part via Willie's Diary which is available on U2.com. I read something interesting this week on the U2Texas Yahoo! list from a fan who had flown over from the States for one of the Dublin shows. It appears that during the sound check for the third Dublin show, the band did go through a complete version of this tune. Those wishing to hear this great song make it to the set list should continue to hold hope.

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Here in the States we don’t have great access to many BBC shows, but one of those that we do have access to via BBC America is the Friday Night with Jonathan Ross show. On July 31, we finally had the opportunity to see the episode that featured the guest appearance of Bono and the Edge. Of course, like everyone else who saw it, we first had to endure Dame Edna. If I wanted to see Aussie men in dresses, I'd watch the Tri-Nations Rugby tournament. Then again after watching the team I support, the All Blacks, get dominated by South Africa twice in a row, perhaps there will be a few Kiwi guests at the tea party as well.

Anyway, the appearance by Bono and The Edge didn't come anywhere near being any type of an in-depth interview. The one comment that I did think was interesting came from Bono when he admitted that the band do their best work in an arena setting. Coming in the middle of a huge stadium tour, I'm not so sure Bono would not take that comment back if given the opportunity to do so. It does their marketing no good to have that insight hanging out there. Still, I'm in total agreement with Bono's opinion on this subject.

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Those of you in North America do realize that we are now just over a month from the 360 tour landing in Chicago, right? It's time to get your game plans together for how you will maximize your concert ticket.

Having seen the band play Chicago a few times, they have always taken the time to mention how much they appreciate that city for understanding what they were on about with the PopMart show. I would not be shocked if this comes up again and it is reflected in the set list for at least that city.

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One of the ways you know that a band is iconic is when other great artists are fans and even spend time doing covers of their songs. Elvis Costello is a huge fan of U2 and he is more than willing to cover a U2 song on occasion. Please take a moment to check out this version of a classic song.

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That’s it for this week's OTR. Please enjoy the rest of the new and improved site as well!

© @U2/Hebert, 2009.

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