by Jeff

Let me start by saying, WOW!

This was the most intense concert I've ever attended.

I took the LIRR to MSG for my first U2 show and got into the city around 4pm. I took my spot on the GA line and recieved my # which was 245. The wait wasn't bad at all...I'm actually glad I went to the show alone. It's great to not have to 'entertain' anyone and just enjoy the experience with like minded fans. I met some fellow New Yorkers, Frank and his sister Margret, Steve...all hardcore U2 fans...and it made the waiting interesting and fun. It was amazing to see them chatting with passing new yorkers that they were aquainted with and how much we had in common. Everyone was anxiously awaiting U2's return to NY in the aftermath of Sept 11th.

It was a bit of a cattle call but def worth the wait. When I recieved my wristbands and got inside the heart I was so pumped, you could feel the energy in the air. When I looked around I was shocked at how small the Garden appeared in person and I was amazed to see that I was actaully standing about 10 feet away from the front of the stage. There was plenty of room to move around and one could go in and out of the heart and return to your exact spot on the floor.

Garbage was a great opening act...they were very 'tight' (esp Shirley :)) She was jumping around all over the stage and I was just about half in love with her by the end of their gig.

When the 'All you need is love' and 'Sgt Peppers' introduction played it felt like the Garden was bursting with anticipation. When the boys emerged from behind the stage you could feel the appreciation and approval for their 'return' to NY. You could see in their faces that they understood. When the lights when off during Elevation and the heart lit up the place went Bezerk!

The emotion in MSG on 10/24 was something that's difficult to put into words. The vibrato coming off Edge's guitar with Larry's powerful drumming, Adam's rythmic bass and Bono on stage was intense. At one point Bono was at the tip of the heart you could feel them feeding energy back and forth to each other.

Throughout the gig Bono kept refering to MSG as a Church. This is probably because the crowd was so loud we were somewhat of a congregation or at least back up singers. It seemed clear that the band was affected by the 'thickness' of the emotion in the arena.

When Bono came out for the 2nd encore with One sporting a green guitar you could tell he was moved. He spoke about what an important day it was for the Irish with the IRA finally deciding to lay down their arms. I remember reading the news in the NYTimes in the morning and was expecting some comments from the band. When he talked about what it was like to be Irish playing in England back in the 80's when the IRA was bombing pubs and how it felt when they were discriminated against and looked at 'funny' you you see his face contorting and filled with emotion and memories. This was not grandstanding. It was incredibly moving and real. He then said that a song can sometimes can be like a prayer. The band then went into one of the greatest live versions of One that I've ever heard.

During the end of 'Walk on', what seemed like the entire crowd was singing along as a united congregation with the prayer Hal-Le-Lu-Jah....a prayer that the world walk on from this evil and persevere to find healing freedom and truth....repeated at least two dozen times. Bono asked for the lights to be turned on. And when they were and the song ended you COULD see how emotional the crowd was and how 'choked up' as one fan mentioned earlier the band appeared to feel.


As Bono said, "The greatest band in the world, The greatest city in the world....it's simple!"

There's no other place I would rather have been.

God Bless U2! They are truly a band that can change the world.

Peace, Jeff

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