by Dan Belasich

Ever since I first heard Desire about eight years ago, deep down I always wanted to see U2. I didn't make Zoo TV, but I swore I wouldn't miss them again. After seeing PopMart twice, I've come to the realization that Barnum & Bailey have some serious work to do!

I chose to review this show as opposed to June 27 because I really felt I enjoyed this show more. Friday was fantastic, but I felt there was more of a Beatlemania that surrounded Friday. Sunday was more a mix of enjoying the show and enjoying U2. And I actually think the somewhat smaller crowd Sunday helped the performance; brought us all a little closer to the band. I was pleasantly suprised to hear New Year's Day and especially All I Want Is You, seeing as that I waslistening to it the night before thinking how great it would be it they'd perform it!

In terms of the show, I really can't put it into words except for that it was unbelievable, enough said. Everyone talks about the lemon, but I think the LCD panel is the highlight of the show. Our Friday seats weren't close, but the screen really makes you feel as if you're right there.

Before I close, I must say I do not understand those that are complaining about how "they're too commercial, mainstream, etc." This is coming from someone who honestly thinks his favorite band will never top The Joshua Tree or Rattle And Hum: PopMart is very well designed and arranged, and brings new meaning to the word 'show'. I took my 12 year-old sister with to this concert primarily because she proabably won't get much chance to see a band of this magnitude do a show of this magnitude. I also felt that PopMart gives more of a concert feeling than Zoo TV did. From what I saw of Zoo TV, that seemed to be more of a circus; whereas PopMart was an extremely glorified concert.

Granted, U2 does not need to have all the lights and lemons, but that what makes PopMart great. I think I speak for many when I say that I would pay $52 to see U2 in a small club somewhere, because it's worth it. Why not make the show entertaining as well? We've all heard the music, they know that. Now they want to put a new spin on things; come on, what is cooler than watching 14 search lights spin around during Bullet The Blue Sky?

To top everything off, I was flattered to hear Bono thank the city of Chicago for us coming to see him (as if we're doing HIM a favor!) After the feeling had leaving PopMart, I'd hitchhike to Ireland to see them! My only regret is that I'll never be able to view a live performance the same again, since they will all be meager compared to U2.

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