WOW!
I'm so glad I avoided setlist spoilers! 6:00!!! I'd never have predicted that! Surrounded! The Silent Man! The Spirit Carries On! Pull Me Under! A Fortune in Motherf*cking Lies! I nearly came in my pants. JP's solo on Breaking All Illusions was simply sublime - highlight of the show.
The band were on top form and yet again The Man Genie was man of the match - they just seem so re-invigorated! The sound mix was about as good as it gets for Wembley - for once I could make out every note.
But the big elephant in the room is the fact the venue was less than half full. Yes, the rear section was curtained off again, but the upper tiers were empty too. I can't see their UK promoter booking Wembley again - I wouldn't be surprised to see them back in a Hammersmith sized venue next time round, which would be a mixed blessing - on the one hand I'd rather see them in a smaller and more intimate venue, but on the other the band have clearly invested quite a bit in the new staging and light show (loved it, btw) and that really does need a larger venue to shine. The all-seating was a mistake, especially for those of us in aisle seats. Do people really need to go to the bar/toilet every other song??? Much as I enjoyed myself, I'm glad I made the trip to Leeds last year.
And I bought a key-ring - £3! w00t!
And yes, the Periphery guy really couldn't sing, could he? And what was that bizzare Japanese version of "Black Dog" they played on the PA before the show? I've never laughed so much in my life!