by DAVIDJF

Last night's show was great!
this was my 6th time seeing them (2X in '87 & 3X in '92) and my wife's first time. I'm from Chicago and read the media & fan reviews and to all those who feel that U2 are going thru the motions on this tour....hey, yer entitled to say what ya feel. yer missing out.
I witnessed none of what ya feel last night.
This is a tour. There will be some off nights. They don't lipsinc. I don't expect Bono to be in peak form every night and I don't base how good the show was on whether he hit the high notes or if they played the songs I wanted to hear. There is usually a setlist that you stick with on a tour this large. But hey, like I said people are entitled. The passion, conviction, raw talent, energy, & heart that you come to expect was all there last night!
The only thing I had problems with was with some of the lighting & the monitors. I was in section 309 first row. great view. yet. when those bright white lights came up from behind the band....you couldn't see them! The rest of the lighting was wonderful, at times beautiful. I felt like the monitor screens coulda been used more. At times there was nothing on them. Aren't they there for those of us who didn't have GA's? So's we can see the band? The monitors should have been taller and used more. If I wanted to see some wacky design work I'd play with a kaleidoscope.

what stood out from the set....

COBL: great. what a buildup! great opener.
VERTIGO: Edge owned.
ELEVATION: the opening was cool with the audience singing. Larry singing was great.
CRY/ELECTRIC CO./AN CAT DUBH/INTO THE HEART: what a treat! to see/hear Edge on live Electric Co. was a dream. An Cat Dubh always a favorite. walking with that lil boy and introducing himself, "I'm Paul but I call myself Bono." after Into the Heart I had Adam's bass in my had for Out of Control but, oh well!
MIRACLE DRUG/SYCMIOYO: great intro/dedication from Bono about beleiving in the future. Why is everyone calling this a washroom song? sad. I thought it was very passionate. I teared up during Sometimes and saw a couple others doing the same. very heartfelt performance and the one time the monitor screens were all on Bono. nice choice.
LOVE & PEACE: Edge owned. great to see Larry (looking intense) & Bono on drums.
SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY/BULLET THE BLUE SKY: all the right energy but the above mentioned problem with bright white lights from behind and monitor screens. sigh.
RUNNING TO STAND STILL: dedicated to the troops. some may question why a song about heroin use can be dedicated to the troops but I'm sure Bono has his reasons. very moving version.
STREETS: it's never gonna be as good as The Joshua Tree tour but I really enjoyed this version.
ONE: One Campaign plug was expected. great.

encore/Achtung trio:
ZOO STATION had killer guitar work. THE FLY was good....lacked....something?
MYSTYERIOUS WAYS looked like that dancer was gonna have a wardrobe malfunction. yikes!
everyone chanted Happy B-DAY to him!
PARTY GIRL: brought tall Laura back up. cracked open a bottle of champagne and spreayed it all over Edge, Laura, & the crowd.

encore/ALL BECAUSE OF YOU: back with more energy. amazing! said he's had many B-DAYS in Chicago and loves it here. mentioned this one they're filming though (for the DVD)
ORINGINAL OF THE SPECIES: great! dedicated to the woman in their lives (I think?) great seeing Edge on keys.
VERTIGO: whoa! explosive!

whu? wait no YAHWEH? uh, I won't be singing "How long?" with everyone as I leave?
oh well.
can't complain. favorite band and all.

I was baffled that there were people around me sitting. at. a. U2. concert! sigh. mmhmm. sitting. looking bored. this is U2 people! Why are you here?
I was there to be moved. to get connected. to feel alive. to see a band that still cares & matters!

thanks larry, Adam, Edge & Bono. see you in SEPT!

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