by Gary Bell

What an incredible U2 show at Irving Plaza! You could feel the buzz in the air as you approached the area around Irving Plaza on December 5th. Several huge media trucks with satellite dishes lined the street out in front, camera crews were running back and forth from the front door to the side-stage entrance conducting interviews, van loads of police were making their presence known and countless people were wandering outside with hopeful signs reading "All That You Can't Leave Outside" or "One". Once inside, the general admission crowd scrambled to establish a clear vantage point to witness musical history. We stood at the side of the stage 2 hours prior to U2 performing in anticipation of a sweaty body pack. As a longtime U2 fan, the anxiety of seeing a band of this magnitude in a venue the size of a small movie theater was intense. Once U2 took the stage the place erupted like a cannon. Everyone agreed that it was a Beautiful Day from the sound of the first guitar strum. The surprise for me was when U2 played the 1980's classics like I Will Follow, Desire, All I Want is You, Bad and 11 O'Clock Tick Tock. Considering this was a promo tour I nearly fell over when I heard these songs instead of the very good new tunes on ATYCLB. As usual, U2 always has a surprise in store - who could imagine them finishing the show with the Who classic Won't Get Fooled Again? My ears were pleasantly ringing for a day and a half after this legendary show ended. I can't wait to see U2 during the summer of 2001 even though I'll have to share the experience with another 17,000 fans.

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