by Matt

When I walked into the crowded Pepsi Center, I thought I knew what was coming. U2, one of rock and roll's legends, playing fresh songs at a great location. I knew it would be good. I didn't know it would be that good.

U2's opener, 'City of Blinding Lights', was somewhat distorted and shrieking, just like most openers at rock concerts. 'Beautiful Day', one of their signature songs, suffered the same problems, and sounded somewhat annoying. It was once the problem was corrected when the concert started to roll.

'Vertigo' was the first song without all the acoustics problems. It still had some, but not nearly as bad as the two before it. After that was 'Elevation', which is always a fun song.

When the opening piano chords of 'New Years Day' started, the concert went from "pretty good" to "good". 'Miracle Drug' was also a good song, but the one that turned the concert into "one of the best" was surprising; their new 'Love and Peace or Else'. After that, the concert was utterly amazing. 'Bad' was particularly memorable.

Just when you thought the concert couldn't get any better, the guitar of 'Where the Streets Have No Name' started. You could practically feel the 18,000 fans cheering 'Streets' on.

Once 'Streets' finished, the song 'One' started, which was the "Theme Song" to U2's new "fund-raiser". After seeing thousands of cell-phone lights flashing in the dark, 'One' came to a close. I had never really loved the song 'One' until they played it at this concert. It was a surprising, amazing song.

Then, U2 left the stage. The concert was over. Supposedly.

The crowds went wild, and they started their encore. All of the encore songs were great, 'The Fly', 'Mysterious Ways', 'All Because of You', 'Original of the Species'. But then '40' started.

Hearing all those fans singing: "How Long...Must we sing this song?" was one of the most memorable moments. And then, they left, and the house lights came up. It was over.

U2's Vertigo Tour show at the Pepsi Center was one of the best rock concerts I have ever been to. U2 is one of the best concert bands ever; their energy, talent, and just overall "audience rapport" is amazing.

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