by Yeager

My alarm went off at 4:20 am. Within minutes, a buddy and I were on the road to Auburn Hills. We arrived nearing 6 am. We knew what we were in for...it wasn't the first time we got to a U2 show really early. For those of you who don't like to pay for parking...get there in the morning. No fees for our lost souls. After a freezing cold morning, and a warm and windy afternoon, it was time to enter. My buddy and I put on our custom made shirts...mine was red with a number "1" sewn on it, his was blue with a "55". This, of course, is to mimic The Edge.

The disorganization again proved to be in our favor. We were worried and upset because of line jumpers. We were once around 33-34 in line...right before we were let in we were around 50-51. Someone said passing out number cards to the first 300 works well...but it was already too little too late. We were forced to sign waivers, but the disorder in that caused us to be one of the firsts in the heart.

There we were....faced with a decision of a lifetime. Where to go...the front of the heart....or the tip? Having seen this tour twice before...we knew what would happen for the most part. We already had front row in Cleveland, so we decided the tip. After all, we all know much action occurs out there.

Needless to say, it wasn't quite what I hoped for, but still it was awesome! I hoped for some "Out of Control," "11 O'Clock Tick Tock," or "Sweetest Thing." I didn't get any of those...but you can't always get what you want. "Discotheque/Staring at the Sun" was a pleasant surprise, as was the cover verse of the Beatles "In My Life." Before the show, I was one of the select few at the tip who saw the "hidden" drum. We new something was up...something special. Later on it was revealed and brought on stage for Larry to play on when the four of them were right in front of me singing "Desire." Very intiment...did you know that The Edge wears blue shoes and Larry wears Nike? Being so close, I took advantage of the photography privelage...and took nearly 25 pictures. Turned out perfect...will make well for some enlargements.

I could tell Bono's voice was struggling, ever since he tried to hold a note in "Beautiful Day." But he made it last, thankfully. Overall it was great. Although it was ended on a rather disappointing note. During "Walk On" Bono yelled "Detroit! Ohio! Ohio!" Some say that was on purpose...but I sincerely doubt it. I went to both Ohio shows...and he yells "Ohio!" because that's the state he's in. He never yelled "Michigan!" to salute fans like me. Anyway...that was kind of disappointing and probably embarrassing to Bono once he came to realization. I know they aren't even from this country...but when you've been touring it for 20 years...you should at least know where the major cities are. But Bono, I forgive you.

One of the primary reasons we decided to go to the tip was to try to touch Bono. I've been trying to forever...but haven't yet. What I realized is that if you want to touch Bono, be at the tip of the heart OUTSIDE the heart. He touched the same group right there quite a few times. Keep that in mind for future reference.

Wearing the #1 shirt tonight,
Brian Yeager

Return to previous page | Post a Review of this show!