by Mike

April 14 - No longer “applying for the job” (they’ve already got it), and no longer playing with the remorse they feel necessary to re-endear its fan base from a previously embarassing tour (this show is not an act of contrition like the early Elevation shows), U2 makes no apologies this time around and plays with a rage, an abandon, an energy (and a mastery of the material) that puts every other working band today in the far, far away distance of U2’s rearview mirror. One needs listen to nothing more than the first encore of “Zoo Station,” “The Fly,” and “Mysterious Ways,” to know that U2 is not just the big game coming to a sold out venue near you, but they’re taking no prisoners. Seriously. Buckle up, this is a heck of a ride. Think the assault of ZOO-TV, the humanitarian awareness of the Joshua Tree and the profound spiritual eloquence of those later Elevation nights all in one show. And if that weren’t enough, Adam Clayton was gracious enough to sign a few autographs before the concert.

Highlights-

“Love and Peace,” - Thursday night’s opener. Bono on the floor tom, fun, fun, fun, wasted no time blowing the roof off of the Glendale Arena.

“Electric Co.” - Vintage U2, and they haven’t missed a lick. The whole “Boy” sequence was very well done.

“Elevation” - entirely new song. And I’d say it’s about a million times better than on the last tour. Bono accompanied by 20,000 in arena rock’s most epic singalong. Wait until you hear what they’ve done with this song. Wow.

“Running To Stand Still” - It’s about time.

“40” - Chilling. No other word for it.

And by the way, Bono’s voice is in top form. He nailed “Pride” and the demanding, “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own,” and as if to prove he’s still got it (the vox bono), they pulled “Bad” out of their hat the following night.

Thoughts and photos on 4-15 to come.....

MC

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