by The Chad

I saw Zoo TV.. I reveled in Pop Mart.. I lived in the heart in 4 different cities during Elevation.. even just last week I saw the boys play back to back in Glendale, AZ… But none of that prepared me for the mind blowing performance given last night!
We arrived at the Seattle Center at about a quarter to seven Monday morning to find the line was well organized and we got on the list at number 20 and 21. After the first night mess in Arizona I was glad to see that Key Arena was working with the fans and the line was great. It was a Beautiful Day and a great GA line. Shout out to the guy from Ireland, the Vancouver couple, the Portland people, the Arizona ladies, The Alaska crew, et al. And now the show:
When the arena told us absolutely no cameras we just dropped our disposables behind a bush since our car was too far away and it was time to go in. Luckily at the last second the arena came back and said never mind.. non-pro cameras were ok. So a bystander grabbed them for us and we were able to take in our cheap cameras. (see photos)Entering the Arena I saw that my cousin was scanned and didn’t get the bomb shelter.. I jokingly said, “no worries man, I’ve got you right here” and boom I got Vertigo!! I was 0 for 2 before this so I was ecstatic to get in. We were the 3rd and 4th in the circle and stood between Bono and The Edge.
Opening act was good. I wasn’t a huge fan before hearing them play a few times but The Kings of Leon are growing on me. Eddy Veder came out as a surprise guest for their last song. He had a tambourine in each hand banging them to pieces and throwing them to the crowd as replacements were thrown to him. Then the boys of Dublin came on. City was energetic, Beautiful Day has now become a timeless song and then into Vertigo. The band looked like they were having so much fun. Spirits were high as Bono teased with Elevation.. they perform this song as if they are holding back a wild animal.. scaring and teasing the audience until finally unleashing it with reckless abandon. Gloria, The Ocean, and New Year’s day take me back to my youth.. and speaking of young fans.. Bono pulled a young boy named Jason out of the crowd for a “Father/Son” version of Sometimes. It was hard to hear Bono talking to the young lad, but apparently he said, “nice to meet you Paul.. I mean Jason” because the young fan was singing along word for word. Classic and personal. Love and Peace continues to be my surprise favorite off the new album for this tour. That song is SO good live. My cousin has carried an Irish flag to shows over the years as a sign of respect for the country that gave us this great band and finally during Sunday Bloody Sunday Bono reached down as the two of us held it up and he took the flag. He cradled it for just a moment and then handed it back. (see photo) Little things like that can mean so much to fans.. and Bono knows it. Thanks Bono. One of the highlights for me was being close enough during Bullet to watch The Edge’s hands. Such a great rendition. The band climbed inside of Running and, as always, performed that song on an intimate level. Bad is good and is even better with a Ruby Tuesday ending. This deep into the set I don’t know how Streets can have so much energy but somehow these four magicians draw power from the crowd and Streets explodes. One was heart felt as the one.org campaign continues. A short break and into the Zoo followed by The Fly.. These guys make you feel like you are getting 3 or 4 concerts for the price of one. All Because of You might as well have been the opening song because the Irish rockers were not showing signs of slowing. I had not heard Original of the Species yet and it was great to hear it live.. which brought us to the final song. A set list in my hand, given to me by the first two girls in the bomb shelter (thanks ladies), said that they were ending with “40” as usual.. but energy was too high, the crowd wanted more, the band was too full of all the power and energy that makes them do what they do.. they were too full to wind things down for the reverent and solemn psalm. Bono ran to Adam and yelled in his ear, then to Larry, and then up towards the keyboard to tell The Edge.. they were not ending this show as usual.. They were going “to do the same ‘bleeping’ thing twice!!”.. Uno, Dos, Tres, Catorce!! Another Vertigo to finish the show and it was exactly the right thing to do. That is it for me until the fall so I will give a final thanks to U2 and to all the fans that made the ride so much fun.
The Chad
(One of the Two guys from Utah)

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