by DWalt

This was about a perfect concert experience as one could have. I drove down from Rochester, NY to see an old college roommate on Saturday. He lives in Altoona. We drove to Pittsburgh on Sunday morning and arrived in the GA line about 11:00am. We were about 80th or so in line. Everyone we met was very friendly and if any of you are reading this then you know who "guitar guy" was (he was waiting endlessly by the arena stage entrance for Edge to sign guitar--never happened)and video tape girl (who I believed videotaped the entire General Admission line) and for some reason stopped and asked me some questions. We got to see PJ Harvey arrive at the arena right below where we were standing (pic link later in review). After many hours in the sun (should of used sunblock) we started to move into the arena around 6:20. One wristband...one to go...sprint to the heart...2nd wristband and we have arrived!! The first thing that struck me when I actually walked into the heart was how small it was. I wasn't sure where I wanted to stand but it didn't really matter if you were in the heart. I ended up on Edge's side, on the rail, at the widest part of the heart. I could lean just a little over the security rail and see everything at the tip of the heart too. Bono and The Edge also stopped right in front of us on the catwalk several times. The second thing that was cool was that there was a beer/soda/water man selling drinks right inside the heart!

The show was simply amazing. This was my 5th U2 show and my 1st of 3 on this tour. As far as Bono's voice goes, well, it was better than I have ever heard it. Edge was remarkable. It's been said in these reviews already but Bono and U2 (and the fans were all in agreement) really seemed to feel and express that the Pittsburgh show was something special. By saying (paraphrasing) that "I think we have outdone ourselves here tonight" and "Thanks for an amazing night" I believe Bono knew he was in the best of form, he seemed very, very happy and was having a great time. I don't think I've ever seen Bono smile and laugh so much at a show before. I really don't know what my favorite moment was...very hard to select one...but the overall rush of the entire show was almost too much take in by the time With or Without You and One and Walk On were played. It was great to see the little girl getting to dance/sing In A Little While (her and her mother were right next to us on the rail), Streets was very cool, Bono sang the climax to With or Without You right in front of us on the catwalk, I loved his improvisation of the lyrics at the end of Walk On after he had some difficulty blowing bubbles from a bottle he took from a fan (previous review on here), I enjoyed his joking around and sincerity in talking about previous Pittsburgh shows, thanking fans for their great life, encouraging fans to call their Congressperson because Africa is going down the toilet, his joke about Irishmen and Australians drinking, and his joke about Larry's arse. It was just so amazing to be so close and have the room to dance and jump up and down and just have a great time without the push and shove that usually is taking place that close to the stage. I knew in my own mind that this was the best U2 I have ever seen but it has been awesome to read reviews from people who have seen a ton of shows and seem to be in agreement that this was the best show they have seen. I really hope Willie writes something about this show in his diary on u2.com and I can't wait to find some .mp3s of this concert. Now I took two disposable cameras into the heart and in my excitement took them to a one-hour photo place....probably a big mistake. I should have been more careful. But some pics did come out and a lot of fans are visible so you might find yourself in one of them. This is the link:

http://www.websterschools.org/classrooms/dwaltman/u2.htm

I can't wait to Buffalo and the 6/22 NJ show, I'm not in the heart again but it is still going to be fantastic! And if anyone is interested I still have 2 Buffalo tix I need to sell.

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