by Cathy

All I can say about last night is "WOW"! This show was my first GA experience and everything I've read about being on the floor is true. While all of the shows I've been to were amazing (last night was my 14th show overall and my 5th Elevation show), being so close to the band just brought it to another level. After arriving at 4:30 am, I ended up being #31. After spending the day with some great people (hi to Rebecca and Roxanne and to the couple that stood in front of me and my sister all day - sorry I forgot your names), the doors opened and without any chaos whatsoever, my sister and I ended up at against the rail at the tip of the heart (between the middle and right platforms where Bono leans out into the audience.) I couldn't have asked for a better spot for my one and only GA show!

There was something special in the air last night. Bono was in a particularly chatty mood and Adam seemed to be grooving even more than usual (Edge and Larry were also stellar, of course!) I was at MSG3 on Saturday and while that show was spiritually moving and you could feel the love in the room, to me there was a different feeling last night. Maybe it's because I was so close to the band and I felt as if I was a real part of the show. I read somewhere that the band visited Ground Zero on Sunday, and maybe that's why Bono was particularly vocal about his support for the US and about telling Osama bin Laden that he could "kiss my royal Irish arse" (I'm sure Bono got this from the fireman who said this during the concert for New York and from another NY fireman who said the same thing at MSG3.) Bono was also very moving in speaking about the IRA's decision to disarm. He spoke of when he was a boy, how badly you were treated in Britain if you spoke with an Irish accent (being treated as though you were guilty of violence simply for being Irish and Catholic.) He said that he hoped that in light of Sept. 11, that Muslims in America do not have to suffer the same derision.

Here are some hilights for me (some of which were mentioned by others):
During "Until the End of the World" Bono stepped onto the platform at the tip of the heart (as usual) and grabbed my sister's hand and proceed to nuzzle and kiss it. I'm the devoted U2 fan in my family, so needless to say I was a little bitter that he didn't grab my hand!! (Just kidding, I'll get over it soon!) If anyone has a picture of this PLEASE let me know - see email address below.

"Please" was particularly great. Bono still had to look at the lyrics that were taped to the tip of the heart, but it was even more polished than at Saturday's show. This was just an incredible moment.

As mentioned by others, "Bad" was extremely moving. Bono was back to his old ways when he ran off the stage to the back of the arena and proceed to scale some of the seats until he got close enough to sing to a young girl (she couldn't have been older than 9 or 10 years old.) In response to his asking her name, she could only scream "I love you!" If his treatment of this little girl is any indication of how he feels about his own kids, then I'm sure he's an amazing father.

"New York" was once again a standout moment for me. With the absence of "Mysterious Ways," from the sets this leg, NY has become one of my favorite live songs. Bono's new lyrics reflect the how deeply he has been affected by the events of Sept. 11. The moment after he sings "...I've got an unquenchable thirst for New York," was one of the most powerful moments in the show for me.

"One," "When Will I See You Again," and "Walk On" were the perfect ending to a truly uplifting show. You could feel the spiritually and sense of community in the air.

I've been to a lot of shows, as I mentioned, and I really think the band felt something special last night (I know each person probably thinks this about their particular show), but for me this was something different. Bono's voice was in great form last night and all of them seemed to be giving a little extra. Each time they left the stage, (after "Pride", after "New York", and finally after "Walk On"), all four of them seemed to linger for just a bit longer than usual to savor the feeling of warmth that was emanating from the crowd in waves.

I'm off to see my last show tonight, and I'm already feeling a bit sad that I won't see Bono, Larry, Edge and Adam again for awhile. But my memories will last for a lifetime!

Thanks U2, once again, for an amazing show. You have brought so much to my life and I truly thank you for all of your hard work, perserverance, and true respect and love for your fans.

Finally, if anyone who was at the inside tip of the heart got any pictures of Bono while he was at the tip (which I might possibly be in!), PLEASE let me know. Or, if someone is simply willing to share any pictures from last night, let me know that as well. I stupidly did not bring my camera and I would love to have some sort of documentation of last night's show. You can reach me at crhutchinson2001@aol.com.
THANK YOU!!

Cathy

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