by Leo Gonzalez

This was a much, much better show compared to the 2009 Toronto shows for two key reasons. First, the stadium was packed with fans this time around, unlike 2009 when there were 10,000 or so RIM employees who were given tickets to the show and spent most of their time seated and fiddling with their blackberries. That corporate vibe really killed the 2009 shows.

The second reason last night's show was far better was, quite simply, the setlist. Starting off with four Achtung Baby songs had the crowd pumped, dancing, jumping and completely hooked for the rest of the night. The fact that they only played three songs from their latest album NLOTH is OK, when you consider that it was released two and a half years ago. They also played three songs from ATYCLB and Joshua Tree, and at least one song from every other album except Rattle & Hum and Pop, so it was well balanced. I've been waiting for years - since Zoo TV really - for them to do something like this, and it was amazing. The early '90s were an incredible period for this band, and it was good to experience a heavy dose of that music again last night. The Achtung Baby/Zooropa songs fit in very well with the claw and the whole space theme.

I went to last night's show feeling rather muted about the whole thing. Since my first U2 concert in 1992, I had always been pumped for all of the nine shows I've seen, but my 360 experience in 2009 was very deflating. I am happy to say that they've restored my faith in them, and I'm already looking forward to the next tour!

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