by Dave

Back to the basics, re-applying for the job of the world's best band. U2 left behind the pomposity and the sideshows that have been a part of their last several tours, but what they couldn't leave behind was the most important -- the music.

The set list had a little something for everyone -- from the seminal "I Will Follow", to the 90's electronica of "Discotheque", the band wove together a broad anthology of great songs. There were old classics, but several new ones came to the fore. "Beautiful Day" is definitely here to stay for a long time -- how can one listen to this song without smiling? "Walk On", my favorite on the new album, was a great ending to the night. "Ground Beneath Her Feet" was touching and intimate (although I would have loved to hear the blazing solo that Edge does on the original album version).

There were a few surprises -- the aforementioned "Ground", an update of "The Fly", the absense of "Pride", the return of "Bad", and the continued presence of "Bullet the Blue Sky". All but the latter worked -- it is time to retire "Bullet".

But with a crowd that was ready to be elevated, and the focus squarely on the music, it was definitely a triumphant performance. The job is yours, guys, welcome back.

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