^@

by Amanda Gilligan

Do PoPmartinas walk among us? Yes,fans, I believe they do. Atleast they did at the Sydney PoPmart gig. I stood outside the Merchandising Store like a kid in a lolly shop, feasting my greedy little U2 zoned eyes on the wonder of feasts before me. The girl dressed in full Popmartian gear, with stick on antenae, next to me, bought out the whole shop. I on the other hand left with a tour program and read through it as I could hear the cries of an Edge like guitar coming from inside the football staduim.

Walking into a U2 gig onto a field where giant lemons and skyscraper style olives grace the sky, is not an experience to leave you uncharged.
The build up of excitement became intense as POP MuZIK blasted through the speakers and the words POP beamed across the video screen. I don't think I've ever felt such excitement as I did at the moment. Little did I know that U2 weren't even on stage yet.

Screams heard between the rain. Bono and the boys working their way through the crazed crowd. A sight like I've never seen before. In that moment I knew the next 2 hours would never be repeated again.

MOFO beat into the stadium as Bono punched the air as though he had been boxing since he was 5 years old.The tunes filled the stadium, one after the other and with every beginning note, the crowd roared louder.
A video screen showering the popmart sky with frame after frame of kitsch and pop culture, finally giving fans at the back of the stadium something to look at.

The whole band were on fire as was Bono in fine form, and not just in the voice department. He entertained and joked with the crowd, laughing at our failed attempts at singing 'Stand by Me'. Political jibes as always at Fred Nile and Pauline Hanson, dedicating Staring at the Sun to them both, telling us not to let him Rain on our Parade- The gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade the following day.

The most emotional moment of the super charged night was the Michael Hutchence tribute. Michael's face flung across the screen as Bono ordered the house lights out. For a moment we had darkness as Bono sang so emotionally to his friend, then with a bolt from the heavens the stadium lit up. One of the eeriest moments I think I've ever experienced. Either Michael was letting Bono he was still around, or it was God letting Bono know who's who. :)

Europhia is the only word I can use to describe the feeling of that night. The guy swinging his shirt like a lasoo atop the scaffolding perhaps knows what I'm talking about.
U2 on fire in the pouring rain.
I had the worst seats in the house, not even sure if The Edge was there as he was blocked by the mixing tent, but it was still one of the greatest nights of my life thus far.

I don't think many fans can say they have left a U2 gig with tears in their eyes. Never Tear us Apart a superb way to close the show.
Thankyou U2.

Return to previous page | Post a Review of this show!