by Joe D

For a first concert, this was an unforgettable experiance to say the very least.

Even the opening act was a memorable one. PJ Harvey focused on more rock tinged songs from her current LP. A quick regression to her big hit from 1995 proved that Harvey was moving into edgier territory. Mic problems abounded during her show, including a bass microphone that sounded like it blew up during one of the songs.

About a half'n'hour after Harvey, U2 took the stage. Though toned down from their monstrous PopMart tour, the set still featured breathtaking multimedia flourishes. Four gigantic TV screens above the stage portrayed each of the band members. Complimenting that were dozens of wheeling, transforming, and twirling lights.

Elevation was the leadoff, and proved to be a monstrous crowd favorite, as was Beautiful Day and 'Til the End of the World. An updated version of Gone was a delight, aided by UFO-like lights spinning high above the audience. New York, one of my personal favs, was prominently featured behind kaleidoscopes and veiled screens. Bono was as frenetic as ever, wearing a fedora. Personally, I confirmed all that had been said about him. He certainly has charisma. Humorous touches abounded, especially Edge's little daughter came onstage, and Bono's antics during Mysterious Ways. Bono was very flattering towards this region, saying that rain connected it to Dublin and helped produce great music. He even mentioned us during the moving Sunday Bloody Sunday, in which he interated parts of Bob Marley's "Get Up Stand Up." The encores were the best part, though Edge's guitar struck and held a rather obnoxious note during Bullet the Blue Sky. That was the only drawback. Wrapping it up, the somber anthem Walk On.

Get tix for this band while you can, and don't miss out on this tour. You won't soon forget it.

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