by girlwonder

To preface this review I have to admit to having incredibly high expectations. 2 Popmart shows and 5 Elevation had lead me to expect nothing short of trancendance. We made it through the rain from CT to the Garden about 10:45 am. We were 154, 155 in the U2.com line. Not bad I thought. Got in line around 4:30 and stood in the rain and wind until we were let in. (Fantastic wonderfully organized system by the way) When I faced the scan, i was told to proceed to the floor. I was devastated but still hopefull. And then I looked at the floor and saw that it was already 4 people deep to the catwalk. Im 5 foot 2 inches... it wasnt gonna work. So we stood in front of the sound area. (Tried to sit but security was a bit strict) Had a fairly good view of the stage and was able to get up close to Gavin Friday and a slew of people who must have been important but I couldnt name them - this included 5 guys in Chevy racing team clothing. Im assuming this was connected to Bonos call out to Mrs. Ernhardt.
KOL came on. I think i might like them in a club with a better sound system. I might even download some of their songs. In this venue it just wasnt working that well.
And then it was time. When the confetti fell I had to hold back the tears. Something about waiting for a moment for so long...

And U2 rocked it out. Adam was on fire, Larry beyond belief, Edge was just into it in a way Ive never seen. the crowd was into it... i think U2 could have just sat there and the crowd would have been into it. People near us danced like they were possesed the entire show. And I danced with them. But something was missing. I actually left to go to the ladies room during Pride. There were a few spine tingling moments. The stage - lighting was breath taking. Willie Williams is a god. The music was tight. The Zoo TV trilogy was great to take in (although Mysterious ways defintily lacked.) And I was defintely joyful. I do not regret a dime spent or the time in the rain.
But (and you knew that was coming) I couldnt believe it when they started 40 at 20 of 11pm. No song added. No one on stage. No Bono moment. It was just over. Here I was in Boston at the end of the first leg of the tour and there was no Bono moment. And then I realized what I was missing. Bono. He sang well. There were a few times I got chills. But there was no connection. At every concert theres been that moment. The one where Bono hooks me in and it stops being a concert and turns into an experience. Even at the Popmart tour sitting at the top of Foxboro stadium with the arch blocking my view from 3/4 down the field from the stage there was that instant where I felt like Bono could see my soul. Ridiculous sounding I know but thats how it felt. And that feeling found me at every show until now. Tuesday night felt more like a Bono clone was up there. The real Bono showed up now and then. But most of the time it was just a copy. Maybe he was having an off day. Maybe I was having an off day. But most likely they have gotten too good. Instead of an experience we get theater perfected to Disney World levels. Looks great, sounds Great but hollow underneath.

I will see them 3 more times this tour. Hopefully the magic will come back.

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