by Syd

My wife and I made the drive from Toronto to Detroit for the two shows at the Palace. For the second show we had GA's and after waiting in line we were lucky enough to get scanned into the ellipse. We got in early enough to have row 2 directly in front of Edge.

Let me start by saying that I am a fairly jaded 33 year old guy with 2 young kids and a belief that not much can really phase me. In the past when I have heard people talking about life altering experiences I have brushed it off as exaggeration and hyperbole, especially when talking about a rock concert. I will never doubt someone again when they make a statement like that because now it is me in the role of trying to explain to people how incredible this was and am unable to come up with the appropriate description. From the time that computer screen came up Vertigo until now, 3 days later, we are still on a high that I know will eventually fade but I hope will always linger somewhere inside of us.

We attended show 2 in Toronto and from the upper bowl you can get a pretty good idea of the crowd's reaction. From the rail it is tough to guage what the crowd was like in the rest of the building because you are so focused on the spectacle in front of you. My feeling though is that Tuesday night in Detroit rocked, I know those around us were into it from the opening chords of City to the end of Bad. Bono eloquently captured the feelings of the band and the audience in eulogizing Rosa Parks. His dedication of One to her was moving and the addition of MLK was a fitting close to the main set. Personal highlights were Elevation, Still Haven't Found, Miss Sarajevo (and the story behind the song)and Streets of course. My wife could barely contain herself during Beautiful Day and the Miracle Drug/Sometimes You Can't Make It part of the show. The entire encore was fantastic especially being treated to WGRYWH ("what you got in the juke box there The Edge") and just as at show 2 in T.O. the closer was a rockin' rendition of Bad that nearly brought down the house.

My wife and I both agree that this was one of the great events of our life together and if it is possible we love the band even more now than we did before. Hopefully someday you all get the chance to see U2 from the rail as we did at this show then I won't have to try and describe to you what the experience is like. You will know for yourself and you will believe, like me, that a concert can change your life.

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