by craig erickson

well, my only way to get on the floor and see my band was to travel to buffalo, pay excessively for one of those crappy Night Out deals, which essentially gives you a couple roast beef sandwiches for 80$ over cost, but who cares? Best concert I've ever seen, which includes 5 trips up their aisle.
I liked Bono's dancing boxer routine on Elevation, which kicked off the show wildly, but I missed Edges guitar, which should have blasted the song forward. Maybe it was the noise around me. Highlights included In a Little While and Bono smirking at Edge after a missed chord. Beautiful Day, in which Bono seemed to physically embody a grace-filled life. I will Follow, lots of power. I wanted all of Mystery Girl, one of Bono's best, but I'll take it as the tag to One. Until the End of the World, never a favourite of mine, was hypnotic as Bono Edge played Jesus/Judas all over the stage. Sunday Bloody Sunday had such a confidence in its step, even Edge was marching. He was very entertaining on the whole, and has really become more interested in "performing". One was georgeous, and it struck me that heaven is not far from the atmosphere created during that song. Where the streets have no Name is a perfect live song, and with the red backdrop and Bono's refreshingly private spritual mutterings, I felt like I was in an idyllic church.

A few detractions:

Adam seemed to be conserving energy.
Larry looked bored for the first half hour.
Pride feels too slow live
The screens felt poorly utilized for the most part
Gone's signature guitar is gone, replaced with something unmemorable.
No Ground Beneath her Feet (oh well)

At an hour and a half in, I was so spent, and my voice raw, I had to just stand and sway, hold my wife and our baby to come in my arms, and appreciate the experience. A great night.

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