by todd

I was there wednesday too..so this is just a bit more..

U2 Fleet Center, Saturday June 9, 2001

Saturday was quite the evening. It was the final show of a four night run in Boston and also the 29th time U2 had played the fair city (not sure if this includes Worcester or not). The streets were packed. The weekend brings even more lines at the bars and more ticket beggars and ticket salesmen.

Tonight I was in the balcony. Section 330 (basically good hockey seats). It was very cool to see the stage from a height. On the floor you are overwhelmed by just the size of the venue, near the roof its all "smaller" but just as big. I was surprised that the heart seemed so "empty" but I guess once you were in there you were able to leave. It was full come show time. It was actually "cool" to sit up there, I saw a lot of the lights and how they are "meant" to be. You couldn't see alot of the lights on the heart from the floor so that was cool to see.

The show kicked off the same way, "Elevation" with the lights still on. One neat thing tonight was the "Bonocam". A camera was attached to his glasses and we got to "walk with the band" up to the stage and for the whole song we got Bono's point of view. "Pride" shocked me, the main set closer on Wednesday it was second! I knew we'd be in for a few goodies tonight.

The set was pretty close so I'd rather hit on the differences. The best part is the only two songs were dropped from Wednesday vs. Saturday was "In a Little While". was one..and the other, well you need to read on.

There was some good shuffling of song placement too, which added to the mystery. I knew they'd be sure to do some things, but when?! "Even Better Than the Real Thing" was a nice treat. The opening swooping guitar set the place ablaze. Bono did add some additional "teases" in songs. Gone were Sexual Healing in favor of "Dude Looks Like A Lady" and "Lust for Life".

Just when it was time for "I Will Follow" you noticed the band almost change gears. "Boston...are you "Out of Control"?! Wow, this was unreal. The song that ends side A of the Boy record just pummeled the place. I saw more signs requesting this song than anything. We were getting our moneys worth.

After the "tip of the heart" scaled down version of "Desire" we were not sure what was going to happen. Wednesday we got the fan playing "People Get Ready", tonight what would it be???? "Party Girl!!!". For the first time since June 6, 1993! Just a great version, honestly I don't think anyone cared good or bad this was a "moldy oldie" for sure. Upon completion said "there is your damn b-side!!". We did get "Stay" tonight which was nice. I have a feeling that was in the cards on Wednesday but the People Get Ready thing had the band changing gears quickly.

Bad was great and the reason I mention this is that Bono teased "40" at the end of this on Wednesday, but tonight..we got "Allison" from Elvis Costello. Apparently Mr. Declean McMannus (thats Elvis' real name) was in the house. Bono just would call "Allllllllllison..I know this world is killin you.......Allllllison I know this world is killin you. A very cool and different choice. Bono did also tease "Pump it Up" in Elevation as well.

The set ended with "Beautiful Day", went from being song 2 on Wednesday to main set closer.

The band then left the stage, but returned moments later..with the Edge in a Ray Bourque shirt. The Fleet Center went wild..honestly the loudest point of the night. I think many were wondering if Ray was finally going to win the cup...Bono simply says "Its' looking pretty good for Ray Bourque right now". Deafening..only word to describe it. The encore played pretty much the same. Wake up Dead man was lost for the Roy Orbison song (penned by Bono) She's a Mystery to Me. Bono made only one more quick mention or Ray by saying "free ray bourque..30 seconds left!!".

Before the set closer "Walk On" Bono did mention he was not sure if the band would be back for a second leg. Not sure if that means at all, in Boston? Who knows. A spirited rousing version of Walk On was heading to a close when a HUGE guy ran onto the stage. The crew tackled him and began to toss him into the crowd. Bono, looks over and tosses his guitar down, runs over motions to the security to "let him come back up" and the fan is then brought by Bono to center stage. He waves to the crowd and then picks Bono up and spins him around in his arms. He is then allowed to take "a lap" around the heart. His disappears to the back of the stage as the high chorus of Walk On chimes out.

Saturday was a great show. Good music, unreal memories with regard to Ray (and the fact that U2 was aware of what was going on). It won't be soon enough before they come back.

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