by G-Man

Since it was my first U2 concert, it's talen me a few days to gather my thoughts about the experience. I've just been in a state of awe since the moment we got out tickets (we including Curtis who posted another review), to the last chord of Walk On, till writing this now. The show was definitely worth the 5 month wait.

First of all, I was extremely impressed with PJ Harvey's opening act. I don't know what any of the songs were called but there were a good 4 songs which I liked a lot. After hearing her material on the Batman Forever Soundtrack, I didn't know what to expect, but her songs were really great.

Second of all, it was great to talk to some fans who knew more than I did. In my hometown of Welland (Ontario, Canada) I'd say there are about 10 U2 fans, 2 of which were in the heart. No one really knows any of the music. The people I sat by were hardcore. One went to 9 shows, starting with The Unforgettable Fire tour (back when I was 2!) and the other seeing U2 7 times.

Well enough of the boring stuff, lets get to the actual set. ELEVATION just blew me away. I couldn't wait to hear what he was going to improvise, and Mr Tambourine Man was great. The DISCOTHEQUE/STARING AT THE SUN was just unbelievable. When Bono started singing "I'm not the only one" during the slowdown sequence, it was just amazing. The tracks played off of the new album were all taken to a new level. Stay was the first time a Zooropa song has been played in Canada (I think!) and was just beautiful, even better than the Sydney version! Every song they played was phenomenal, and I have to disagree with some of the media write-ups that the audience became less interested during parts of the show. Everybody, and I mean every single person in the ACC, was standing the entire show. Everybody sang along and cheered their hearts out.

The real highlight for me had to have been With or Without You. Though Bono's voice was a little quiet at the beginning, and even though he did not sing my favourite verse from Rattle and Hum, the song was just fantastic.

Well that is about all I have to say because I don't want to waste too much of your time, but all in all the show was bonoriffic! I can't wait till they are back in the fall (confirmed rumour? I hope so!) Oh yeah, I bought the blue shirt with the red suitcase/heart, rocket, and elevator. Someone asked me why I had a shirt with a bathroom on it. Ugh! Torontofo was amazing!

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