by Marc M

Three words: A-Maze-Ing!

I had so much fun at this show. The energy level was intense! Vertigo into ABOY into Elevation into Gloria was just an awesome way to start the show. So good to hear Gloria - one of my favorites from the early albums. The version of Elevation (mostly just the Edge's guitar riff without as much bass and drums) was fantastic!

The Ocean slowed things down, but Bono reminiscing about their first show in Chicago was a memorable moment. He was asking the audience if they remembered and some woman shouted Mexico. He finally remembered Park West and the crowd went nuts. At the end Bono turned toward the others and asked "ok, how do we end this?" Just some nice interaction with the crowd and each other.

People have said how Miracle Drug is a washroom song - I so disagree. Tonight it was wonderful. Then into SYCMIOYO. Two songs in a row Bono poured his heart into. Bono's voice wasn't 100% tonight. He had ups and downs and I feared for SYCMIOYO, but he really pulled through and hit the high notes without any problems. Really moving.

Love and Peace, my favorite song off the new album was intense - especially with Larry out on the elipse with the mini drum kit. Then Bono slamming on the drums when Larry walked back and into SBS.

I wasn't sure I wanted to hear Bullet the Blue Sky, but they played an extended version of it with Edge just going to town with the solos! I was blown away. The tranisition from SBS to BTBS was a little awkward, but once Edge got going, it was easy to overlook and forgive.

RTSS again dedicated to the troops (still confused by that one), but Bono pulled out the harmonica and it gave me goosebumps.

WTSHNN was a lot better than I thought it would be. The crowd was really into it. Have heard this song on every tour I've been to, but it has never sounded better.

ONE ended the main set - one of my all time favorites. Sounds great every time.

The first encore was just high energy again with the Achtung trio. Mysterious Ways was extended and incredible. With or Without You was a little bit of a dissapointment because Bono's voice was giving out. He talked the song more than he sang it. The crowd really helped him out with the high notes, and Edge, Larry, and Adam really kept it up.

For the second encore, Yahweh was played with the acoustic guitar, which was cool. But then the show ended with BAD that seemed to go on forever! Just phenomenal! Bad got off to a shaky start as they weren't quite synced up with the synthesier. But once they got it started, they couldn't stop! The boys didn't know how to end it. They got together for a little conference forming a semi circle facing Larry. Bono then turned to the crowd and gave us the "one minute" hand signal to pardon themselves for the huddle. Then Larry and Adam closed it out. Just unforgettable!

The applause was thunderous. Everyone thought for sure they'd come back for one more. There were even boos when the house lights came on. But I wouldn't have wanted them to end it any other way. Bad was a just a great way to end the show.

I had heard that Bono was a bit preachy other nights. He didn't do as much of that as I thought he would. And there wasn't as much fan interaction as I'd heard of happening other nights. One girl got called up for an extended hug during WOWY. Another group of three got called up to walk along the catwalk for a short while displaying their anti-indifference banner.

Despite minor technical difficulties and Bono being under the weather a bit, the show was fantastic. And it was loud - my ears will be ringing for a few days. But it had to be loud for the band to be heard over the crowd, who was so into the show. Great energy, great setlist, great show!

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