by Sash

The concert, summarized in 3 words: ABSOLUTELY F***ING BRILLIANT!!!!! I was standing inside the inner loop, less than 2 metres from the right-hand stage. Standing in line for 8 hours was definitely worth it!

Kanye West as opening act….hmm….The crowd I was in cheered when he announced his final song. I’d much prefer a rock act that has been inspired by U2, like Franz Ferdinand or The Killers. Did anyone know/care what he was apologizing about (some award he lost or something).

Funniest moments: Bono missed his cue for “Walk On” – Bono was playing guitar as well. He got somewhat panicky and gestured to hang on a second (did anyone else notice this?). Also, Bono saying “Turn around and look at the moon, so beautiful and feminine in nature…oh hang on wait…that’s the spotlight”

Most moving moment: “Miss Sarajevo”, with the message of human rights being displayed afterwards (Bono also sang Pavarotti’s part). This song isn’t played very often live apparently. Also, “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own” and “One” – always tear-jerkers. I personally cried during “Where The Streets Have No Name”, with all the African flags being displayed.

(VERY SLGHTLY) Disappointing moment: Nothing was played from ‘Boy’, ‘October’ ‘Zooropa’ (my personal fave) or ‘Pop’. I read that the Vertigo Tour has a very diverse set list, with at least one song from every album featuring in each concert. The intro of “Electric Co.” was being rehearsed earlier, but it wasn’t played. I was starting to get a little disgruntled that they weren’t playing enough from ‘Achtung Baby’, but the encores settled this down with “Zoo Station” and “The Fly”.

Personal moments: Adam Clayton turned around for a photo when I yelled out to him (most likely a coincidence, but I'd like to think otherwise).
Also, Bono made eye contact with me when I suggested Australia instead of America for the lyric “These are the hands that built America” (I’m curious to know if he’ll change the lyric for the rest of the Australian shows)

Visuals were spectacular, although I couldn’t help but notice the small patch in the middle that wasn’t initially working.

I’m glad I secured my spot in front of the RIGHT stage – that’s where they seemed to go down more often (people going to other shows, take note!). Bono did at least 3 songs on this stage, including “Love and Peace or Else” with Larry, lighting the flare for “Bullet the Blue Sky” and “Miss Sarajevo”. Adam came down about twice too – The Edge only went down to the left stage. Bono also closed the show on this stage, by releasing the kite into the night sky.

All in all, I give the night 10.5/10 :D

Love and Peace Or Else

Sash

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