U2 concert: ‘Monkeys could have organized better’

SANTA CLARA — If it was a good time they were after, many U2 fans didn’t find what they were looking for Wednesday night at the rock band’s only Bay Area stop on its Joshua Tree tour.

And Santa Clara residents living near Levi’s Stadium may feel the same way after the band played until around 11 p.m., an hour after the city-mandated 10 p.m. weekday curfew.

Complaints from concert-goers flowed in on social media, a good number of them about concessions stands that either had long lines or ran out of food and drink before U2 even finished playing its first song.

Levi’s Stadium officials were sympathetic to patrons but cited logistic realities for many of the grievances. They said some of the complaints, like about overtaxed concessions vendors, were a byproduct of a concert offering limited chances to leave one’s seat without missing the event.

“Unlike a football game, where people are buying food throughout the game, in concerts people get in their seats during the concert and don’t leave again,” said Bob Lange, vice president of communications for the San Francisco 49ers, which operates the venue. “There’s a rush for food and drink so they don’t miss the next act, and they’re all leaving their seats at the same time. That’s just the nature of a concert.”

He acknowledged people had problems with other issues such as parking, which he attributed partly to people from out of the area who aren’t familiar with the local roads and traffic patterns.

“Of course you’re going to have people who were frustrated,” Lange said. “But overwhelmingly this building was rocking last night and people were having a good time.”

Some fans at the concert took out their frustration on social media.

“Worst ever,” Mick McLaughlin wrote on Twitter. “Hour wait for a hot dog! We are in Silicon Valley, right?”

@LevisStadium worst ever….hour wait for a hot dog! We are in Silicon Valley, right?

— Mick McLaughlin (@giantmick) May 18, 2017

Another Twitter user said she spent 45 minutes in line only to be told there was no more food.

45 minutes in line AND @LevisStadium RUNS OUT OF FOOD. "Sorry" they say, "try a different huge line"

— Meghan Arnold (she/hers) (@MeghanCArnold) May 18, 2017

Lines also were long to park and get in the stadium, which is managed by the San Francisco 49ers.

Appalling entry system @U2 @LevisStadium Over 1 hour to navigate lack of signage,confused staff & Visa card machines #U2TheJoshuaTree2017

— Fidelma Butler (@fidelmabutler) May 18, 2017

Floodlights were another source of aggravation for some concertgoers, who said they couldn’t see the stage.

https://twitter.com/Emily_J_Roberts/status/865051513546129408

Despite taking the stage later than scheduled, the band itself was not a target of many complaints.

“Incredible,” Sean Cunningham, a sports producer and reporter for KXTV in Sacramento, wrote on Twitter. “Getting my mind blown by U2.”

Incredible. Getting my mind blown by U2 @LevisStadium – #JoshuaTree pic.twitter.com/xE97xMpzUs

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) May 18, 2017

Danielle Simmons, however, couldn’t say the same.

“First real outing since having a baby and it has been the worst experience,” she wrote on Twitter. “Monkeys could have organized better.”

https://twitter.com/divamomrockstar/status/865046442498433024