by Toby

Six months ago, at the Fred Meyers off of Hawthorne, my girlfriend and I stood waiting in line for tickets to the final U2 show. Part of me wondered, "Would the band even make iy to that point?"

Of course knowing U2 it should be a no brainer. But being a huge fan who has corrupted his his mom, girlfriend (soon to be wife I promise)her two sisters and now even one of their boyfriends to the U2 cause, I watch the band for little details and when their tour mishaps happened at the begininng I didn't sweat it because A) I wasn't a U2.com member and B) I knew whatever was going on was huge to cause the delay.

So it was a given that I would enjoy the show. The band could have played the freakin parking lot and I would have enjoyed it. If you wait six months for anything you better enjoy it damn it!

But this concert was brain surgery for the heart. The concert as usual on this tour opened with City and the first half of the show just ran smooth. I thought that the interference crowd who passed out things in the GA area was awesome it added a much welcomed thank you to the band that I think they were embarrassed by.

Why? Because I genuinely believe that they feel like they are getting away with being on stage. They may not feel that way when they are in the throes of finishing the next record...Refreshing from anyone who is a "celebrity" to have some sense of humility.

The political part of the show is my favorite hands down. The message to Americans is simple but clear. Don't beccome a monster (terrorist) to defeat a monster. In the era of pre-emptive strike the similiarites that can happen need to be illustrated and they do it wonderfully. It has been the one fairly consistent part of the show since the beginning.

It's December, so Bono and the boys brought John Lennon into the house. Rightfully so. Lennon as a pop icon inspires honesty in anyone who has picked up a record of his, whether with the Beatles or not. It also helped that they have a absolutely awesome version of Instant Karma. Worst wedding band? I think not!

The show went back to the zoo for Until the End, Mysterious Ways etc. What they learned on this tour is to play peek-a-boo with their heart so that they don't turn into cartoon characters. Give people political righteousness, then put the metaphorical glasses back on and rock the house. It's great and shows how far they've come since the "Am I buggin ya" Rattle and Hum era.

I saw the last show in Seattle in 97 from the nose bleeds. I was really sad at that show. I didn't feel "it" like other people who attended that show felt it. I felt anger at people not understanding Popmart. When 40 played this time all the U2 diehards joined happily in the closing ritual.

Last night there was no anger, U2 has over the last eight years reclaimed their purpose, reclaimed their fans, converted new ones and added another great memory for me and my family.
Thank you indeed.

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