by A. P. Salsman

For anyone who was in Providence, RI last night, you know how it felt to see Larry Mullen Jr. step from behind his drum kit and talk to the audience, if just for a moment. You also know how it felt to see the stone-faced Adam Clayton with a grin ear-to-ear. Or the look of The Edge as he chugged on Larry's bottle of champagne. Or EVEN Bono, holding the American flag.

October 31st continued to show that these guys aren't just the greatest rock band, but the greatest showmen out there.

The set began with the Beatles pre-show tape with "All You Need Is Love" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." The audience knew what this meant, it was time to get Elevated.

As always, the boys came out in U2-fashion and blew through the opening standards with their style and flair ( Elevation, Beautiful Day, Until the End of the World, New Year's Day, I Will Follow, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Stuck In a Moment). Then the fun began as we, the audience, and Larry's fellow bandmates wished him a very happy birthday. Their antics were up to U2-par. Bono busted out the party favorite, "Party Girl" and an old b-side, "Slow Dancing." Kite, for Bob Hewson, was a standard and beautiful. The Edge & Bono did a little one-on-one with the little played track "Wild Honey." Bruce Brody joined the Irish lads for a rendition of "Please," which could have easily been written in the days after Sept. 11. The Set then jumped back on to "track" with the standards fans have come to know.

"With or Without You" seems to have been completely replaced with "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."

After seven months on the road (and 4 shows for me), these guys have continued to impress me. Not just impress, tho, but move me. Anyone who sat through "One" and didn't feel very proud of our fallen heroes, shed a tear, or perhaps feel very patriotic, you must have been asleep.

As I bid adieu to the Elevation tour (I'm broke), I can say that Halloween in Providence was the greatest way I could end the tour. I've still got my cds.

"I cant sing but I've got soul"
~A. P. Salsman

Return to previous page | Post a Review of this show!