by Jerome Matrundola

Buying tickets in February for an October show to see the greatest band on earth was definitely hard on me. However the long awaited arrival of U2 was definitely worth the wait.

I had the best seats in the house for the show, as I was standing ahead of the first row of seats, at centre stage. This was the fifth time I had seen U2 live, and this was by far their best performance. The band was technically sound and musically perfect. Bono's voice was truly amazing, after having rested it for a few weeks. During "One", Bono improvised a verse, and his voice was so strong and powerful that Adam looked over in a kind of admiratrion and astonishment. The Edge's singing of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" accoustically on the B Stage was one of the many hi-lites of the night.

Although the crowd was pretty loud and enthusiastic during "Mofo" and "I Will Follow", thus drowning out much of the sound, from "Gone" on, the music was awesome. I loved the back-to-back tandem of "Until the End of the World" and "New Year's Day." But their newer songs like "Please", "If You Wear That Velvet Dress", and "Last Night on Earth" are simply wicked live acts. Probably the best sounding songs of the night had to have been the first and last songs of their second encore, "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" and "One." These two songs sounded totally awesome live, and Larry's drumming during the Batman tune were phenomenal.

The crowd was great to as it showed its appreciation for older greats like "Pride" and "Where the Streets Have No Name." But it also showed much appreciation for the newer "Pop" songs like "Discotheque", and "Staring at the Sun". "With or Without You" and "Even Better than the Real Thing" were also show stoppers.

All in all, I have to agree with the "Toronto Sun", which gave Popmart a "Five Star Rating", and the "Toronto Star" which also gave the show a favourable review. Age and change in musical tastes cannot stop this Super Irish Quartet, and I cannot wait for their next album and tour.

Rating: ****** (out of five)

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