by David B. Schroeder

Bono Bono Bono.

He came, he delivered and he did not disappoint.

With  picturesque snow capped Rocky Mountains as a back drop U2 enthusiastically played for approximately 2 and half hours in the Rice Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah.

Bono was on a mission to court convert and sell the mostly conservative but ebullient crowd the message of U2 and he did so very well.

As fans we were appreciative that he told us "You are a good people"-towards the end of the show.
He pulled up the 3 Watson sisters, already known as the 3 Sisters in U2 fan folk lore, because  he's pulled at previous shows likes them and is familiar with them. He had them read a poem by Minne Hardy entitled "Utah" as an intro to "Beautiful Day" Edge was softly playing his guitar in the background. Below is a text to the poem:

Utah

Utah I’m glad to be here where the mountains rise
Dazzling white ‘neath the clear blue skys
From crimson dawn ’til the dear day dies
Way out west in Utah.

Where the mountain air is pure and sweet,
Where fresh, cool water flows down the street
And the climate! Friend, it can’t be beat;
Delightful, magnificent Utah.

God made Utah and He made it grand,
The beauty spot of His glorious land,
Where plenty supplies with a generous hand
All of our needs and wants in Utah.

Mighty mountains, sylvian vales,
Picturesque canyons and rugged trails,
Joy’s your companion, health never fails,
Happiness dwells in Utah.

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The crowd loved that Bono picked this special poem highlighting the beauty and culture of Utah's inhabitants. They roared with approval. Bono is astute this way and uses it all to his advantage in making a connection to crowds that he performs for. This was well thought out and it worked.

Highlights of the show were: 

I Will Follow-got the crowd in the pit bopping, brought energy into the stadium.

Elevation-Bono running around working the crowd

Until The End of The World- the religious undertones of the song worked for Utah crowd

Happy Birthday to Bob Dylan- fans thought it was special to honor the legendary artist

All I Want Is You-a female fan favorite

Pride-Utah people are humbly prideful people-it worked.

Beautiful Day-with the 3 sisters into and the tenets of Mormonism embedded in this song, the crowd loved it.

Miss Sarajevo-Bono showed vocal range and multi lingual-ism. Well done.

Zooropa-way cool.

City of Blinding Lights-Worked well, "blessings are only for the ones that kneel" Utahans understand this precept, it worked.

Vertigo-Bono looks like he's ready to rumble in this song, I love it. Also the industrial look with the backdrop of the cylinder coming down on the stage. Crowd gets worked up, well done.

Crazy Tonight-worked well. Even Mormons love percussion-got the crowd going.

Sunday Bloody Sunday-moving, very good.

Scarlet/Walk On-the talk of Burma and  video of Aung San Suu Kyi's story of persecution and imprisonment moved the crowd. Utahns have empathy for those persecuted and falsely imprisoned and celebrate freedom, fairness and the fundamental principles free agency.

One-always works, religious messages sell well in Salt Lake.

Streets-Universally known anthem-song "LOVE LOVE LOVE"-Utah loved it.

Hold Me, Thrill Me Kiss Me-Bono swinging like a Tarzan, aloofness, dark sunglasses, dry ice, sexy electrical leather jacket way cool. We are so HAPPY his back surgery worked.

Moment of Surrender- were sad cos we're surrendering that the show is over, but happy that U2 brought JOY.

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So glad I drove the 12 hours from Tempe Az, saw a good show and made a bunch new friends.

WONDERFUL JOB Bono, Lawrence Adam and Edge! Thanks for saying hello to our good friend Elsha Sockseth pre show too!
You 4 never disappoint, bless you.

Best,

David B Schroeder
(Big Guy~ Boston 4 2001)

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