by JasonH

I've been fortunate in that I've seen U2 six times. Friday nights show at the HSBC arena in Buffalo was the best U2 show I've seen...yet. First of all....I LOVE BUFFALO! The town just knows how to party. I've attended a few Buffalo Bills games and have always had the best time, Friday was no different. We went to an abandoned building with a bar inside it called Cobblestones before the show and had a blast! They didn't have Guinness, but they "their version" of it.

It worked.

We walked over to the arena in sub zero temperature and were just about sober from the cold by the time we got inside. The anticipation in line was unbearable. I knew what was on the other side of those doors. My friend Bruce has seen U2 five times, so he new what he was in for, but my Dad and Brother had no idea. They were first timers. I was more excited for them than for myself. To see the show with my Father, Brother and Best Friend made the weekend one I will take to my grave with me...a true memory of a lifetime.

The show opener was 'City Of Blinding Lights' which relieved me because they opened with 'Love and Peace or Else' when I saw them in Boston. 'Love and Peace or Else' was fine, but not nearly as effective as "City Of Blinding Lights". U2 lit up the arena and it was on. Then went right into 'Vertigo' which put the crowd into a frenzy. I screamed at the top of my lungs for over 2 hours. They played 'Gloria" which was a first timer for me and the one that I was praying for before the show. They played "Until The End Of the World', my personal favorite. As well as the regular anthems 'Pride (In the name of love)', 'Where The Streets have No Name', 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' and 'Bullet The Blue Sky'

I thought 'Gloria' would be the highlight of the night for me, I was wrong. Bono talked about how U2 were in Buffalo the John Lennon was shot 25 years and 1 day ago. Then played a version of 'Instant Karma' that was the ultimate experience. Hearing the crowd sing "And we all shine on...like the stars and the moon and the sun" was amazing. The show ended with '40' and a singing chorus of fans old and new singing good-bye to the greatest band in the world.

My Father commented afterwards that he was struck by how "Happy" the event was, just total happiness, from everyone.

Well said.

U2 will tour again (God willing) and when they do, I'll be back at Cobblestones drinking their version of Guinness and doing blue shots of whatever again. Thank You U2 for a night I'll never forget! Thank you Buffalo, for another hangover!

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