by greg

last night's show was amazing, so very pumped for show 2 in vancouver. This set of shows is my birthday present from my wife and kids. I turn 44 on Saturday. Last time we saw U2 was in Minneapolis, 2 nights in a row November 1987.

Got to GM Place about 5. talked to a very nice woman from seattle (#51 I think) who was at both seattle shows, both vancouver and had 3 more shows later on. impressed, envious, and pissed at myself for not going to more shows.

Go through the line-up and at the moment of truth the screen says 'go to floor'. My wife goes next, same thing then my brother, no luck. Then S. goes thru. SHE SHOOTS, SHE SCORES! Her and M. are going into the ellipse! Happy for them but a little choked. My wife and I have been fans for over 20 years and these 2 are newbies (although M. has been an enthusiastic student).

We go in and are about 5 rows away from the outside edge. Standing thru Kings of Leon and the intermission took their toll on our 40+ legs. A wise man once said 'What a drag it is getting old'. As we get closer to U2 start-time the floor gets more crowded. The show begins and we can't see too much except to look up at the screens. The crowd sways, pushes, squeezes. Its very hot, and difficult to enjoy the show at all. After 3 songs of this, I've had enough. My wife is too small to deal with this so I grab her and we head to the back of the floor. A few other couples join us.

At the back we can't really see the stage but we can hear fine and watch the screens. U2 rips through a great opening set, I especially enjoyed Electric Co, an Cat Dubh/Into the heart. Also loved Bono's story before Miracle Drug and Edge's work during it.

Our Miracle came during Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own. A woman approaches my wife and asks how many people are with her. When V. says ONE, Our angel asks 'WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO INTO THE INNER CIRCLE? I thanked her profusely and my wife kissed her on the cheek. We were fitted with white wristbands and floated the trail to the entrance. Security people blocked our path but smiled huge when they scanned us in. I quickly found my brother and he was blown away.

Having this happen for us was one of the most incredible things I've ever experienced. I told V. that it happened because she is small and cute, but who knows? Maybe it was because we looked like two 40 year olds who had just been squished. On the skytrain on the way V. had said there was NO WAY we'd all get in the ellipse. After this I told her there was a YAW WEAHHHHHHHHHHH! To have this occur at the band we love, you can see why I call her our Angel.

If you have never been in the circle let me tell you it is amazing. There was plenty of room to move, dance, or just stand and enjoy the show with a goofy grin on your face.

I have a bunch of great photos, some from outside and most from inside. I'll try to attach some, if anyone wants more let me know.

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