by Shawn Bison

I am convinced that the only way to be fully jubilated, ecstatic, and emotionally roller-coastered on this tour is to be within an arm's distance of the band. Tonight I was fortunate enough to be within a wrist's distance from Bono; a knee's distance from Clayton; a torso's from Edge; and about three body lengths from Mullen. Once you are this close and the band pours its Irish sweat all over you, there is no equal. I'd bet a Polish burger, a Swedish meatball, and some London Shepard's pie on it.

Tonight's show is one I will talk about for years to come. It comes with only a handful of others from this European leg (Dublin, Manchester, Milan, Poland, to name a few). Nice, France is now one of my favorite cities... not because of the seaside beauty, not for the unbelievable shops and restaurants, not for the gloriously robust homes, and not for the ultimate in weather perfection... but because it was home to one of the greatest U2 shows of all time.

The song Vertigo has become not an overplayed commercial jingle, but the opitome of rock and roll. Nevermind that the band plays this song twice, but they so ferociously bombard the audience with its signature Edge riff that you can't stop bouncing until Electric Co. is finished. Now I understand why the band will NOT stop playing it twice. Tonight's (and many others') show is a sermon, whether you like it or not. Vertigo Part One begins in the daylight, when everyone in the crowd is tense, anxious, hot, and bothered. They need a release, they need someone to show them the way into joy, action, anger, and rebellion. U2 is their leader. When Vertigo Part Two is played in the dark of night, the crowd is sexual, relieved, educated, and pissed. It doesn't close the book on anything - Vertigo Part Two is only the beginning. I'll be interested to see if U2 sticks to this "formula" when back in the States.

So, sandwiched in-between the Vertigos is not a story, it's not a themed event... but several different chapters in the history of rock and roll. Nothing was rehashed here tonight - as some people like to say. The show tonight was just another way for U2 to transmit these songs. With ZOO TV, it was through a cable channel, PopMart a shopping mall, and Elevation - well, their sleeves. Vertigo is something more than all three. It is the tightest and most urgent the band has played since The Joshua Tree Tour, the best Bono's voice has sounded EVER, and is a joyous occasion that, at the same time, can be extremely angry and pissed off.

Tonight's highlights for me were the songs that transcended anger, death, poverty, and wisdom. Songs like Sometimes, Miracle Drug, Love And Peace, Sarajevo, and Yahweh. All of these tunes are brilliantly written and have thoughtful ideas, but in turn, are selfless and no-holds-barred tension relievers. They call their listeners to action, they make them angry, they make them think. Miracle Drug was played with precision, as it should be; Love And Peace's crescendo with Bono on drum is a life-threatening plea; Sarajevo as Running's replacement is not only the most important thing of the tour, but probably has the greatest Bono vocal of all time from any tour; and Yahweh has become an acoustic folk house prayer (although, I still think they should play Crumbs in place of this sometimes - is Crumbs the new Acrobat?).

In conclusion, no other show has pissed me off on this leg more than Nice, France... and that's a good thing The band was on fire.

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