by Phil

First of all...the crowd we're not subdued, and the band didn't seem to me to be tired or distracted...for 'elevation' and 'beautiful day' Bono did look a bit distracted (understandably??!)...but soon got onto resounding form..but then this was my first'elevation' so who am I to compare?
Got to the venue from Wales by 11.15 a.m. One guy was trying his best to organise the queue with numbers, apparently he's been there at Manchester and will be there for all the UK gigs..and good luck to him, without his efforts things could have been messy when the queue was moved to the rear of the building and back again oncce the fire crews arrived for a bomb scare. Once into the venue it was straight 'into the heart'.We went to the rear tip of it which we'd been told was the best place inside and it was...we still got an outstanding view of the main stage, but the heart action was in front of our eyes- Bono and Edge we're doing their 'UTEOTW' bullfighting right in front of our eyes..and the acoustic action midway through the set was about 1/2m away!!Awesome!!
Kelis was pretty dire to say the least, but I don't suppose any support act is gonna get much attention when U2 beckon 1/2 hr later?? At a lot of points people were actually laughing at her set..not really a good choice for a U2 audience to view..I'm just thankful that I get P.J.Harvey instead in Earls court on Sunday!!!!
There was nothing remarkable about the setlist, but as always it was performed with full conviction. The new tracks were brilliantly performed and the older tracks like 'I Will Follow' and 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' also sat well in there despite what previous concert reviewers have said. I think the only song which didn't really do anything for me was 'New York' which is my least favourite track off 'ATYLCB' and although performed well with the a good visual production it still didn't really get me....
Bono cirlcled the Heart like a madman on several occasions with good audience reactions which seemed to lift him up. He was straddling a girl on the heart during 'the Fly' before running around twice and splattering himself against the vidiwalls at the song's close. He also explained early on in the set how they we're much more comfortable with the arena set up as 'he could keep an eye on everyone' as he was 'Bono the omnipotent one'.
All in all it was one of the best U2 gigs I've seen..and I've been with them since 'Joshua Tree' tour days. They seem to go from strength to strength as the get older.....lets hope they keep touring for years and years to come..
Roll on Earls Court on Sunday!!!

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