by Jeff

Let me start by saying this: Any U2 show is a great show, regardless of where or when it is.

But I have to tell you, folks, the second show in Philly was a bit of a disappointment.

For starters, the crowd wasn't nearly as animated as Monday night. People were still rambling around looking for their seats literally when Elevation started. And in my section (205), I think my wife and I were the only people who stood and sang along for the entire show. Everyone else was sitting down. Yikes. Sitting down at a U2 show? Come on, gang.

(We were up against the railing at the edge of the heart on Monday, so it was a bit of a bummer being up top Tuesday. But what the hell)

And after Until the End of the World, we got the worst news of all time:

The place was going crazy and everyone was chanting .... "Beat LA! Beat LA!" because the 76ers are playing the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.

Well, Bono steps up to the mic and says: "I'm glad to see you're all enthusiastic tonight, because I'm sick."

Tuesday was my 12th U2 show, and it was the first time Bono was sick. And you could tell he wasn't feeling well. His voice cracked. A few times, instead of singing, he was basically talking the lyrics. He rushed through songs, especially early in the main set.

I'm sure the several thousand fans who were at their first U2 show didn't really notice. But the diehards (myself very much included) could tell they were struggling.

A few songs were cut short ... there was no reprise in Sunday Bloody Sunday. Pride was dropped. So was Gone.

The set was basically the same as Monday, but they switched some things around. But you could tell they were rushed. At the end of All I Want is You, Bono was trying mightily to get the crowd to sing along, and suddenly the loop for Streets just started.

He brought back the "what can I give back to God" bit, but you could hardly hear what he was saying. He was struggling that bad.

The show did build some momentum at the end of the first set. The place flipped over Desire for the second straight night, especially when Bono pulled out his harmonica. All I Want is You was great. That went into Streets, which always brings the house down.

Bono didn't talk much. In fact, he didn't wander out to the tip of the heart much during the first set. He performed In a Little While on the main stage.

And for the second straight night, he did not formally introduce the band. Although before Desire, while Adam and Larry were strolling down to the tip, he said .... "here's the poshest member of U2 ... Adam Clayton." And then he mumbled something about Larry being 15 and introduced the drummer. But no intro of Edge, who once again completely ripped. I can't believe the sounds coming out of his guitar on this tour. Simply amazing, especially during Streets, when you can literally hear every cord. Incredible.

Again, I hate to sound negative, but to the diehard fan, you could tell they were struggling. It's always great to see U2 and we ran the full gamut of emotions, but when Bono can't sing, it takes away from the show a bit.

If Monday night was an 'A' (and trust me guys, that show was pretty damn close to perfect), I'd have to give Tuesday in Philly about a B-

But U2 still puts on the best shows ever.

Three shows down, two to go. Friday in D.C. and next Friday at the Meadowlands. Keeping my fingers crossed that Bono isn't sick again!

Enjoy.

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