by Karl Linder

Just back from the NEC for tonights first Birmingham Show.

Bono and the boys put in a good workman like performance the highlights for me being "New York" which really is a great song live and also "Stay".

I must admit I though the crowd could have been better it was a typical Tuesday night crowd after a hard day at the office, only really going crazy during the predictable classic old tunes. There seemed to be no spark between the band and the crowd.

Funny moments included Bono pulling a guy up on to the stage for after he had fell over the barrier on to the floor right in front of Bono. After he finished running around on the heart ramp, they spent a minute or so hugging each other before the guy got back into the crowd. He also pulled a young girl from the crowd and he lay and the floor as she straddled him during "The Fly".

Another highlight was his story of on the early UK tours coming up the M1 from London to Birmingham and sleeping in the back of a van with Adam and his horrendous farts.

I wonder if the stress caused by the ill health to Bono's dad is getting to him as he seemed quite subdued. This tour probably now seems as if its been going on for ever for the boys only seven shows to go before some time off.

Looking forward to tomorrows show.

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