by U2PhillyRocked

Wow...one of the best shows I've been to! Great energy and fire from the band! My ears are still ringing (no ear plugs for me)!

This is my 5th time around on this tour and I have to say this was my favorite. I got to the GA line on Wednesday afternoon and was one of the first 100 in line. Being in the GA line is fun, exhausting, and sometimes annoying (depending on who is around you), but totally worth it in the long run. We had beautiful weather, not a drop of rain.

Just to clarify on a post made by someone earlier, U2 did not do two soundchecks for Philadelphia. The first soundcheck was done by the techs (even better than the real thing...lol...almost! Good job to the techs!). We all thought it was the band, but they did not arrive until 4:30pm. I ran around the stadium just prior to that and was lucky enough to see them all drive in. Bono came out to sign autographs for a very short time period. The crowd out there was pretty heavy, maybe 40 people or so. Then he left and we got the band's real soundcheck.

For the most part, the GA line was fine. But when security opened the gates...it was ridiculous. And they chastised US for not staying in a single file line. I'm sorry, they could've done a MUCH better job...they barricaded everything else to the point where it was difficult to come and go during the day. So why didn't they plan anything out for the inevitable GA rush into the stadium? It was bedlam. I saw pushy GA people who were numbered in the 400s pushing and shoving past those who were numbered in the 20s. Sad. Pathetic.

I stood front row in front of Adam. The energy was unbelievable...Bono's voice was pitch perfect. And he's in phenomenal shape since his back surgery. I could hardly take any pictures of him because he moved around so much. He couldn't hold still! Adam is so great to stand in front of. He's flirty and loves to give eye contact to the crowd. Very laid back, very cool. The only drawback from my spot was the fact that I could only see the top of Larry's head. I miss the Elevation days where the arena stages were lower.

The setlist was great...so glad to hear "Magnificent" again. The highlight of the show for me was hearing "Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me" in place of "Ultraviolet." Just awesome.

I like how Bono mentioned the Eagles and the Flyers, DIDN'T mention the Phillies, but did mention cheesesteak. Ha ha ha. Classic.

Anyway, just an amazing show and an incredible night. This was my last for this tour, so it was very bittersweet. Traffic was horrible leaving. My hotel was 1.5 miles from the stadium and I didn't get there until 2am. Argh. Nothing is better than driving home from a U2 concert, aching, dehydrated, and sore, with no voice, no feeling in my legs, and my stomach growling for food (it's not like they sell hot dogs in the front row, as much as I keep begging the guards). It takes a serious physical toll.

But I will never stop doing it for this band. Ever. Being at a U2 concert, feeling the passion from the band, enjoying the camaraderie from other like-minded fans, is like a religious experience.

Totally worth it.

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