by Sue F.

Three Countries in One Day ...... and U2 in Glasgow!

We arrived back from Dublin on the morning of the 28th August, barely had an hour at home in the border country of England before setting off for our final U2 show in Glasgow. We headed up the motorway into Scotland and were in the car park of the SECC an hour and three quarters later. We were surprised by how few fans were around at this time - 3.30pm.

We bumped into a friend who told us that we could still get a number to get in the heart. I could hardly believe it! The problem was we had seated tickets, but my friend said that they were selling standing tickets NOW at the Box Office! After about 10 seconds hesitation we were there buying the tickets and then got our numbers 140 and 141 for the heart. We then very easily sold our seating tickets.

We were let into the heart at around 6.20pm, it was all very orderly and well organised. We found a place at Adams end by the outer barrier, ideal for seeing all the band on stage. Next was the long wait, but it went by surprisingly quickly really. The SECC is amazingly small and, usually,the stage is along one of the long sides of the hall. The support was Cosmic Rough Riders, a Glaswegian band, who were ok, better than some U2 support we've had to endure over the years!

U2 came on at 9pm and exploded into Elevation, Beautiful Day..... Kite was later in the show than usual and Bono dedicated it to his late father. Angel of Harlem made an appearance early-ish which was new. Out of Control was stunning, so powerful, Bono sang some different lyrics but I could not catch them. He said at one point "You didn't think we'd miss Scotland out did you?" which elicited a huge roar from the crowd.

Mysterious Ways, not usually one of my fave songs, was simply amazing! Sometimes on this tour it's been sexy and earthy, tonight it was spiritual, it seemed to reach another plane somehow. Bono was totally lost in it putting everything into it, Edge the same, but in a calmer way playing the
guitar with his eyes shut. It never fails to amaze me how this band can re-work their songs and give them new meaning.

Bono sand AIWIY from the tip of the heart which we could also see well. Blue lights shone on him and us, and an arc of spotlights shone up to the roof, it looked so beautiful. The lighting in this tour has been a very important part of the shows. Streets was the usual party, Bono did his
usual run round the heart but only managed three quarters of a lap!

WOWY was very touching, sung from the main stage. It was clear that by now Bono was very tired, which was not surprising considering all he has been through these last few weeks. He sang the title line and (I think he said this, but may be wrong) said "This is for my dad..... and this is for you". At the end of the song Bono leaned his head against the mike for a while and looked very weary.

There was a long gap before the encore, which finished off with a wonderful One and an even more wonderful Walk On, those hallelujahs at the end get me every time!

It was a short show around 1hr 50 I'd say, no New York, no In a Little While.

Glasgow was a good show, not the best UK Elevation show I've seen, but good. It was sad to have to say goodbye to the tour. U2 have taken me everything you can go emotionally on this tour, it's been extra special for me in that way. And I have to say my admiration for Bono has increased even more for continuing to do the shows, and do them well, during this very difficult time in his life.

I read somewhere That Edge said that they had to prove they were still relevant with this tour. Well, that question has certainly been answered - U2 are the leaders in live performance. Good music is more than being great technically and vocally. As Bono says at the end of Kite, "Communication, communication", that's the key, no one can reach out and touch others through their music like U2.

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