by Holly Kindsvater

U2 are wonderful.

At this concert they proved that they can still connect with the audience in a stadium packed with 60,000 people while dazzling them at the same time.

Although I'd seen them kick ass in San Diego once already I was still just as hyped before and after this concert. San Diego was only the second date on the tour, so it was understandable that the band seemed more comfortable at the Coliseum. Bono apparently felt the same way, saying "This is our home now," to the audience while waving vaguely at the arch, mammoth video screen, and the olive speared on the orange toothpick.

My favorite moment was when Bono started singing 'Stand By Me' and was quickly joined by what must have been all 60,000 people in the stands. He trailed off and stood with his arms held out, a look of awe on his face, as we, the audience, continued standing and singing back at him, along with the Edge's softly played melody. Pretty soon we got lost (no one knows much more of the song than 'Stand by me, stand by me...") and he started to laugh at the sound of 60,000 people desperately trying to stay in tune with each other.

Moments like that, when one feels completely in sync with the rest of the audience are regretably few and far between for me. The reverance I felt in those fleeting moments is something I will treasure for a long time.

Bono was up to his usual antics, bouncing and prowling around the stage and down the ramp. At one point, he either jumped or fell off the ramp, I couldn't tell. I wonder because I didn't think stage-diving was usual for him. He also pulled a girl from the audience, dancing around with her for a while.

Another great moment was a lovely acoustic version of Staring at the Sun, done without Adam and Larry on the B stage at the ramp's end. And the song Please was excellent -- at the end Bono just kept wailing please, please, finally dropping to his knees and curling up, but still singing. I also loved the old hits -- Pride, With or Without You, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, One ... I guess I could go on forever.

Of the new songs, Gone, Velvet Dress, and Mofo were all good.

The only thing I missed were the early songs -- even though they did I Will Follow, Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day were left out.

I haven't mentioned Oasis so far because they were so boring I forgot about them. I'm not too familiar with their music, and plan to remain that way. The only song I recognized was the sickeningly ever-present Champagne Supernova. Every song sounded the same, and I couldn't understnd the singer, whoever he is, when he talked, which is weird because I had no problem with Bono's accent.

Overall, I had a great time.

U2 are definitely worthy of the title The Biggest, Greatest Band in the World, and I would like to thank them for all the wonderful music they have created in the last 20 years.

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