by KC Dave

Let me get my complaint out of the way first -- it is criminal that U2 are not playing in Kansas City on this tour. I don't blame the band; it's the horribly mismanaged, lame arena that our city has. U2 has been through KC on just about every tour I believe, and there are a lot of big time U2 fans like me who would list the 1987 Joshua Tree Kemper Arena show as one of the highlights of our teenage years.

On to the show. I really enjoyed Kanye West. Bono's introduction was a nice surprise ("He mixes anger and love, sex and religion, etc"). He opened with Diamonds from Sierra Leone, and also played Jesus Walks, Heard 'Em Say, The Workout Song, Touch the Sky, a couple others, plus Golddigger, which got a nice reception. After his third song, Kanye commented that he "hadn't been nervous in a year and a half until tonight" because of the magnitude of opening for U2. I'd say most of the crowd responded enthusiastically to his energy; I was surprised to hear a few "boos" when Bono thanked Kanye during U2's set. Kanye is a hell of an entertainer, even if you don't like hip hop. I thought he was fantastic.

Fantastic show by U2. Probably a little over two hours. Best songs were City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, GLORIA, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Love and Peace, Miss Sarajevo, and 40. Least favorite was Beautiful Day. I've heard Sunday Bloody Sunday a bajillion times, yet they always seem to reinvent the song and make it rockingly relevant. However, Beautiful Day has never really morphed into a great live song for me. Gloria made me feel like I was teleported back to Red Rocks; I wish they would have played 2-3 more old songs with no crazy lights, just chugging from the fountain of youth. I had heard that Miss Sarajevo would be a highlight, and I wasn't disappointed -- people went crazy when his voice just blossomed into the crescendo. Well done.

Couple of funny moments. When the drums kick in during "Still Haven't Found," Larry lost a drumstick that clattered across the stage, causing Adam to laugh for the whole song. The guy out of the crowd that came up to play piano on Yahweh did an admirable job, until Bono was trying to direct him on how to end the song -- "Play the chord up high, like a Christmas bell!" Dude never really got it, but I would give my right teste to play the cowbell on stage with U2. Also thought the kid onstage during Sunday Bloody Sunday was a good moment, except when the tyke was yelling "No more!", I wonder if he was thinking of "no more war" or "no more spinach."

Anyway, hearing Instant Kharma and 40 to close the show was amazing. I really wish they were heading to Kansas City next. Maybe next time! Great show from the best band ever. Thanks for reading.

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