by Meridith

It all began with a moment of spontaneity. During lunch on Tues., I headed over to the boys' hotel in an effort to catch a glimpse of the band. I was rewarded with a few moments of standing near Bono and a smiling Adam before they headed over to the UC. You see, my best friend Janice had tickets for the Tues. show and I was dejected ... must wait 48 more hours in a long week that had been filled with much anticipation.

I had read both Greg Kot's and Jim Derogatis' reviews of the Sat. show (as well as some of the reviews posted here), and I was surprised by their negativity. I had poured over all of the set lists and heard about the filming for the DVD, so I thought I knew just what to expect.

"Everybody, everybody!" Larry positions himself behind the drum kit. The Edge and Adam strap on their guitars and then my ears register the lyrics that I wasn't expecting to hear just then, "Unos, dos, tres, catorce!" It blew all of us away. The entire crowd in the UC were on their feet with hands up in the air. Although COBL was expected to open the show, Vertigo was what this city (and the band) needed after a week filled with filming.

ABOY follows and then Elevation. I thought I was going to fall off the second level because I was jumping so high. The energy was radiating from the stage up to the rafters. For genuine U2 fans, this is what we had been waiting for and they delivered the goods. I was blown away to hear "Gloria" ... what a rare treat!

Bono fumbled the lyrics a bit in Beautiful Day, but made a good recovery. While on minor mishaps ... although the sound level was right on, it was difficult to hear Bono at times (I'll attribute that to his sore throat).

Miracle Drug is a powerful song and I sense that a lot of people just don't get it, but that's okay because I do. When family and friends are struck by a disease, like cancer, and their only hope for healing is just a cure and prayer away, you would. "I hear your voice and it's whispering ..."

The Edge played furiously during UTEOTW and The Fly. "With or Without You" is a song that has one of the most recognizeable drum beats and it's all Larry. He was on fire. Adam's bass filled in the holes.

Closing with Bad/40 couldn't have been better. Bad was the song that drew my husband Darrin into the sounds of U2 during his college days; so, to sing along and knowing that the end was near, it was sad and yet euphoric.

This show was rock'n'roll at its best. No theatrics, just four lads from across the ocean sharing their talent and passion built on a career that has defied the norm and the critics. I walked away with Darrin and Janice knowing that we just witnessed one of U2's best performances ever. "I will sing, sing a new song."

Can't wait till Sept. 21st ...

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