by Tina Liu

Although I sat in the upper tier off to the side, I thought U2's Popmart concert was the best concert experience I have ever had. Highlights include Bono kissing the Edge, the gigantic, awesome lemon mirrorball (which U2 "popped" out of during Discotheque), the audience finishing "Stand By Me" for Bono, the girl who got away (with jumping the stage barrier and getting Bono's attention -- she got a hug and a kiss! How unfair), "Gone," "With or Without You (of course)," and all the uncontestably interesting and mind-blowing images, lights, and animations. The only thing that annoyed me were the endless line of drunk people in need of a bathroom throughout the show. And a huge security squad that chased some guy right past me during "With or Without You" (one security guy complained loudly about the timing of the chase).

This was my first stadium concert ever (and the first time I saw U2!) and I was totally blown away by U2's ability to get the entire audience to move, even with the plague of aching feet. I don't think I remember all of the songs that were played, but the set list went something like this (but not in this order): Mofo, I will follow, Gone, Staring at the Sun (acoustic), With or Without You, Where the streets have no name, Bullet the blue sky, Even better than the real thing, Until the end of the world, Mysterious Ways, Discotheque, If God will send his angels, Please, If you wear that velvet dress, Hold me thrill me kiss me kill me, Sweet Caroline, Last Night on Earth, Miami, (parts of) Stand By Me and Unchained Melody, Pride (in the name of love), One.

I was a bit surprised that they didn't play Do You Feel Loved or Wake Up Dead Man, and I keep having this ridiculous, miraculous notion that they will eventually play something from Boy (too bad I was a toddler during that tour) but the concert was still incredible! I really admire their energy and the sincerity that is exposed even through the layers of decadent extravagance of a circus-like show (which I loved). U2 rocks my world!

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