by GG

Some very distinct observations at my second U2 show (I saw the fourth Toronto show 9/17).

First of all it's the absolute icing on the cake to have U2 back here after 20+ years! Caps off an an incredible year for concerts that put Ottawa back on the touring map in 2005.

Personal highlights for me included City of Blinding Lights, which for me is the 'new' Streets. There is no better concert opener, especially so when I've seen it before and watching the reactions of my friends I attended the show with, and others seeing it for the first time. From "Wake Up" fading away, to Edge tearing into the atmosphere with his echo-laden notes, to Adam tapping out the opening notes on the keyboard in unison with the LED beads lighting up, to the explosion of the white lights = WOW.

The tried-and-true I Will Follow had me singing at the top of my lungs along with Bono, whose voice seems in fine form!

Sunday Bloody Sunday was great, and the little boy did well, rivalling Bono with his "no more!" moments. Pride, Streets, and One, of course, got the usual hysterics from the crowd.

My only complaint about the show is perhaps the predictable Ottawa fans. There were times when I felt I was the only one in my section giving all my energy, and that I was the only one my section knowing most of the words to every song. There were even fans, like another reviewer mentioned, that left before the second encore began, simply to make an early escape from the chaos we call the Corel Centre parking lot. People, this is NOT a Sens regular-season game!! Unfortunately as is the case in a sleepy government town like Ottawa, the real fans sometimes cannot afford tickets.

Notwithstanding the fans, U2 put on another memorable show. Thank you Bono, Larry, Adam and Edge for coming back to the Capital!

pics to follow.

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