by Russ Dale

The evening of April 20, 2005 changed my life forever.

I have seen U2 4 times previous, dating back to my first U2 live experience with the Zoo TV Outside Broadcast show on October 21, 1992 at Mile High Stadium. I then saw Pop Mart on May 1, 1997 at Mile High. Twice did I see U2 in 2001, at the Pepsi Center, April 6 and November 7.

Then 2005 rolled around. This was by far the best concert I have seen in my life. The energy in the Pepsi Center was tangible. The band was in top form. The crowd was insane with screams and song. The show rocked and exceeded my expectations. It couldn’t have been any better.

We traveled to the venue during a thunder hailstorm and were stuck in traffic much of the way. We started the celebration at Brooklyn’s at the Pepsi Center, 901 Auraria Parkway. Brooklyn’s was freakishly packed so we went next door to Brauns bar and grill, 1055 Auraria Parkway. We put our names on the waiting list for grubs and treats then headed down to the basement where shots of Jagermeister and pints of Guinness and 1554 were the order of the moment.

The staff of the restaurant called our names and we rushed upstairs and were seated at our table. We feasted and had more shots of Jagermeister. We left to meet up with normsquatch (he did not have tickets and was hoping to score some from the damp and shady scalpers standing in alleyways and street corners) and headed to the show.

We skipped through the rain to the Pepsi Center and rushed up the stairs to the third level. We were in Section 348, way at the top, and even had our own dance floor right behind our seats. Our seats were perfect. Shortly before U2 took the stage, normsquatch, who bought tickets for 40 bucks from a midget scalper wearing “Fly Shades,” arrived in our section. The show began and I sang and danced and screamed and danced and sweat. I brought along a pair of binoculars, which were a nice thing to have. I could care less if I could see Bono, Edge, Larry or Adam. It’s all about the music.

The massive television screens and tracer lights along the stage were spectacular as well.

Bono praised Colorado a lot. During the show he said, "Here’s where it all started for us," after “Elevation.” He also said that Coloradans and our local radio stations have always been good to the band. He made references to Red Rocks several times including getting the crowd super pumped-up with the lyric “under a blood red sky” in New Year’s Day, a really special local reference to the classic 1983 live show and album. THE CROWD WENT NUTS! He also sang, "See the hailstorms,” during "Beautiful Day."

U2 played 7 songs from their new album, “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb,” an album that some critics have panned. I love this album and it was nice for them to play so many songs from it. U2 has nothing to prove when it comes to putting on a show, and they are showmen for sure. They did a great job of merging the old tunes with the new, songs that spanned the 25 years of the band’s existence. I enjoyed each and every song that they played. There is something special about hearing the songs performed live. Even the old skool U2 songs were refreshing and new. And The Edge! What can be said about The Edge? His is the best guitarist in the world.

A particularly grand highlight was the portion of the show from “City of Blinding Lights” to “Beautiful Day” to “Miracle Drug” to “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own” to “New Year’s Day” to “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” The people in the arena were on their feet, screaming and singing and stomping along. It was a religious experience. I was in a state of awe. After each song that played, I was mesmerized and flabbergasted and believed I couldn’t ever witness something so majestic. I was wrong, as each song that followed raised my wonder to even more heightened levels.

And then the Argentineans showed up in our section, or maybe they were always there. Next thing I knew, people had their shirts off and were dancing on top of the concrete slabs behind our seats. 8 cups of Coors were flyin’. Apple pie was flowin’. The musik was remarkable. I cannot stress enough how outstanding this concert was.

I woke up sore the next day from exhausting and dehydrating myself during the show. My voice was shot from hollering. In my opinion, this was the best concert of my generation. I was more than pleased with the whole experience. I am also glad that I got to enjoy the show with my sister and good friends. It was truly a memorable time.

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