by K2

A wonderful Nebraska debut for U2 – I think they’ll keep Qwest Center on their list for places to play in the future. Kanye West opened and was very well received – far better than other bands I’ve seen open for U2 (10 times). Someone from the crew came out on stage to introduce him (I heard that Bono did the honors himself in St. Louis), a nice touch other openers have not gotten. The arena was more full than empty for Kanye’s set. Lots of cheers for him; I didn’t hear any boos. I loved his string section, esp. the girl in the white dress. She did not act like a violinist!

And U2 – have they been on vacation or what? They played like it was the first show of the tour with full-on energy and intensity. They are NOT running out of gas as the tour winds down!

Bono’s voice was in better form than ever. The operatic crescendos in “Sometimes You Can’t Make It” and “Miss Sarajevo” were awesome, and at the end of “One,” he sang the falsetto notes instead of the lower chorus he’s been sharing with Edge at other shows.

Edge played the Gibson guitar that has been designed for Music Rising (Hurricane Katrina relief fund) on “One,” which moved into a stunning “All I Want Is You.” I haven’t been studying set lists but I was really surprised by that; it was so lovely. Bono pulled a young lady up to dance with him at the end of “Mysterious Ways” and then kept her on stage for “With or Without You,” falling to his knees as if begging forgiveness. It was very tender and kind of strange.

And then there was “Crumbs,” which Bono prefaced with a remark about how unlikely it was they’d get through without messing up, and then, sure enough he messed up! He missed the bridge (middle 8) as he was out in front of the mic interacting with the audience when it came around. He sheepishly made his way back just in time to sing “Dignity passes by…” – but he made good on the mistake by singing the bridge solo, with the acoustic guitar, at the end of the song.

Finally, the killer for me was when Bono chased Edge all the way around the ellipse during “Until the End of the World.” Edge didn’t miss a note. It was crazy and looked dangerous. The boys play rock n’ roll! Goodbye U2 for now – hope to see you next time around.

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