Suncorp Stadium

Jay-Z (USA)

Jay-Z, Perth 19th December 2010

Gallery: Jay-Z – Australia 2010

When U2 announced that they’d be bringing Jay-Z with them to Australia in 2010, the reaction was polarising. For some who had hated every minute of Kanye West in 2006, this wasn’t going to make them smile.

There were those though who would come to see Jay-Z, such is the pulling power of the self proclaimed ‘Best Rapper Alive’, and from a record company perspective it’s genius, opening up a whole new demographic of fans.

He started slowly in Melbourne, getting a very lukewarm mid-week reception, but aided by an amazing 9 piece band and a group of fans at the front of the stage who were warming to him, by the time he’d reached Sydney and Perth he had a crowd that was quite happy to bounce, and wave their Dynasty signs in the air. Apparently.

(more…)

U2 360 – Brisbane 2

Bono, U2 360, Brisbane 9th December 2010

Gallery: U2 360 – Brisbane 2

After missing the first show in Brisbane, I made it to Suncorp Stadium nice and early on the morning of the 9th December to get a decent spot in the GA queue. It’s Queensland, so it was warm, but the lineup was 5 star… shade, water, sunscreen and a security team who weren’t just around to give people with beachballs a kicking.

U2 had never played 2 shows in Brisbane before, and sales for this 2nd night hadn’t been great. Down on the floor though it was a packed house and once Jay-Z took to the stage there were plenty of bums on seats.

Mercy and Bad were back in, and both sounded incredible. The show finished one song short however due to local curfews, the band had gone past 10:30pm (yeah, rock on BrisVegas) and at the conclusion of With or Without You it was good night from me and good night from him… (more…)