by Jealous Lover

*please note my analysis of the second vertigo at the end of this review*

U2 was in rare form on Friday the 14th....this was a concert that was unpredictable and exhilirating. The bands energy was more electric then any concert I've seen of theirs - (this was my fourth show!)

I wonder what younger bands out there must think of these guys...I mean they are playing with more fire and heart than anyone on the planet. I love a performance when people go all out - leave nothing left. This concert personified that but part of me wonders if U2 knows that they can't get away with anything less in New York city. This is the toughest audience on earth for anything...so maybe that is why they turn up the performance so much...maybe I don't know.

Contrary to some of the other reviews posted this concert was not too loud. It sounded extremely well for Madison Square Garden (ok what makes me an authority?) my MSG cherry was busted by Van Halen in 1984 with Diamond Dave doing his patented spandex leaps on stage.

The final encore of "Vertigo" was truly amazing to be exact what fucken blew me out of my seat is what Bono launched into when they were rocking out the final Chorus - he went into the lyrics of an old Patti Smith song and with the Edge's guitar growling and all that energy the combination was atomic:
"Baby was a black sheep. Baby was a whore.
You know she got big. Well, she's gonna get bigger. Baby got a hand; got a finger on the trigger. Baby, baby, baby is a rock-and-roll nigger! Outside of society, that's where I want to be. Outside of society, they're waitin' for me!"

My theory about them playing "vertigo" more than once at many concerts is this: The song has an energy to it that is unmatched by a lot of other songs. Ok we all think its been overplayed because of the ipod ads and the corporate structure of radio etc. However, seeing Vertigo performed live is extremely different not to mention gratifying....it felt like a second round of sex - like they really banged it home, no pun intended. A friend walking out of the concert with actually said "they really banged it out at the end" Thats what it felt like, after two and half hours of concert we were expecting and lullaby of "40" and we got BANG VERTIGO! I think U2 understands that "vertigo" is an experience and is both the sonic and emotional message of where they are as a band currently. Thanks U2! For punching it home!

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