In a glittering career, Hamish Hamilton has directed a number of U2's concert films, along with similar projects for Madonna, Britney Spears, Jay Z and the granddaddy of them all, the Super Bowl Halftime show. But, as he tells Olaf Tyaransen in the new issue of Hot Press, nothing compares to directing the latest U2 show, iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE: Live in Paris.
"Directing i+e was scary," he reflects. "A technical nightmare married with a creative rollercoaster. It challenged everything I knew on so many levels. What blew my mind were the multiple narrative arcs combined with the number of emotional arcs you are taken on as you journey through the show. There are a lot of good shows out there – but very few great ones."
Of course, it wasn't merely what was happening on stage that made the Paris shows unlike any other. Originally scheduled for November, the gigs were cancelled as a result of the devastating terrorist attacks which occurred less than 24 hours before the band were due to perform – and the aftershocks still lingered when the rearranged shows took place in December.
"Obviously because of what happened in Paris, there was an extra dimension to what was being performed. There was an electricity in the room. I knew and I think everyone else knew that Eagles of Death Metal were going to take the stage at the end, and I think that made it a very unique evening. Not one that I'll ever hopefully in again – for very obvious reasons."
He also reveals what makes working with U2 so special, and recalls the frightening night when the shadow of terrorism hit rock'n'roll.
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