by The Leprechaun

This was my 2nd U2 concert, the first being the opening show of the Australian tour in Brisbane. Trying to compare these two shows is like comparing apples and oranges.

The first show had a vibe and energy unique unto itself purely because it was the first show, but the third show in Sydney was different. It was time to have a little fun.

I wrote in my previous review about the tenacity of aussie U2 fans. I think I should change that to U2 fans in general. Sydney put on an 'interesting' day that saw people in the GA queue battle gale force winds, rain and tropical heat all in the space of a few hours!

But, back to the show... Traditionally there are a few surprises at third shows, and tonight was no difference.

After blinding versions of COBL, Vertigo and Elevation (with many a Kylie snippet thrown in for good measure), the explorer made its first appearance of the night and the crowd roared as they ripped into I Will Follow.

There wasn't much jumping around at the Brisbane show (I think most people were a bit in awe of the scale of the show), but most people at this 3rd Sydney concert had been to a few shows before and got right into the songs.

I don't think I could ever get sick of hearing New Years Day, it just suits the outdoor venues perfectly. Beautiful Day followed and then the crowd had a big sing along to ISHFWILF.

Bono made mention of the fact that no other band has played 3 shows at Telstra Stadium (an 80000+ seat venue). "They said it's never been done before, and it will never be done again. Do they not think we're coming back?" Reassurance of the bands future straight from the horses mouth.

Angel of Harlem was a surprise addition to the main set, but was definately a welcome surprise, with some lovely harmonica from Bono towards the end of the song. Bono also pulled 3 girls up on stage to pose with him, until he realised they were wearing (the now super trendy) Larry Mullen Jr. Band t-shirts. At which point he asked them to leave the stage (in good humour of course)

Sometimes You Can't Make It was a vastly improved performance to the one I saw in Brisbane (helps when your guitar strings don't break!). I cannot physically sing that song when they play it, it just means too much to me personally. To have the band a few feet away performing a beautiful rendition was just, as bono would say - extraordinary.

The heart of darkness set (Love and Peace, Sunday & Bullet) were terrific. There were a few people in the queue suggesting that they should drop Bullet the Blue Sky from the set, but in my opinion, the Vertigo Tour as a whole would not make the impact it does on an audience without this song.

During Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bono pulled a young boy up on stage to shout "No More", it may seem a bit of a showman thing to do, and its easy to feel cynical about it, but for those people who are only going to see 1 show, and/or haven't seen U2 live before, it is one of those magical moments that hammer home what U2 has that so many other bands dont in the live arena.

I apologise in advance for this, because everyone I spoke to loved this song, but I still think that Miss Sarajevo is where the show stalls a little. Sure, it's a great song, but this arrangement of edge on piano just doesn't do the song justice. There is so much beautiful sound on that recording, I just feel if they were to reproduce as much of that as possible, it would sound a whole lot better live.

Pride is one of those strange songs. I think if they did stop playing it live at almost every show, then it wouldn't take long before people started complaining that the show feels hollow without it. Like it or lump it, it is quintessential U2.

Streets was streets, pefect. But if I could dare say anything needs to be improved? Bring back the blinding light at the start of the song next tour... Please!

The 'galaxy' of phones looked fab in such a big stadium at the start of One, then the encore and Zoo Station?

Not quite, this was the 3rd night.. time to change it around a bit.. Until the End of the World rocked the crowd, and Mysterious Ways amazed it. Bono pulled a girl up on stage towards the end of the song and she stayed there for most of With or Without You.


The Saints Are Coming went to #1 on the Australian Singles Chart this week, a fact Bono made mention of. I'm not 100% sure, but I'd say that must be the only time U2 have played a #1 single live in Australia during the week it actually was #1 in Australia. If anyone could let me know, would be appreciated :)

The soundcheck ran overtime because they reherased Saints about a million and one times. But it paid off, a tight performance had the whole stadium jumping. Will be interesting to see if they perform this song on subsequent tours, or will it go the same way as Hold Me, Thrill Me.. ?

You can tell who are the U2 obsessives when a few cheers go up as they start Party Girl. Never before have I seen such a shambolic U2 performance, but it was also one of the most fun and lively I have seen. Bono forgot the lyrics almost straight away, and they went into a group huddle. The crowd loved the seemingly spontaneous nature of it all, and Bono eventually got some champagne to spray over the crowd. My second show and I get to see Party Girl, gotta love that.

The night ended on what is perhaps the most beautiful rendition of any song that U2 have done in some time. Kite.

All in all, a very fun show that left everyone in good spirits. To quote Bono thanking the fans for sticking with them, "Who's your first love? You can always have a second or a third, but you'll only once have a first"

U2, definately my first love!

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