by Chase

This concert was most definately more energetic than the May 15th one that I attendend. What made it better wasn't just because Bono spoke a lot more, but rather I purchased better seats.
My wife (who through me has become a avid fan of U2) decided since it is my Birthday October 16th, we would purchase better tickets than section 211, that we had in May. This took a bit of saving our earnings from work, but was at least 5 times worth it.
I brought 6 rolls of film with me, but I used only 5 of them. I hope to get them developed sometime in the near future, and would like to share them on here, but don't have a scanner. :(
We left our house at around 4:00 p.m. to get to the Crystal Lake train station down to United Center in order to be there in enough time before the rush. When we got there, obviously there had to be moderate security, because of all that's been happening with terrorism. Security checked our bag, and didn't find anything wrong. When we got to our seats the arena was REALLY slow to fill, and really didn't completely fill up until 9ish, and that's when U2 launched there set.
I was quite new to their opening act. I had heard from friends online that Garbage was quite good, but I wanted to be the judge of that. I thought personally that they were a bit too rough, but nonetheless they were good.
U2 did their regular set as the first leg of the tour. They started out with an intro, that was very cool. It was John Lennon's "All You Need Is Love" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band". I kinda was expecting that, seeming that I had read the reviews from the last three shows of the third leg. This show just to let you know was just like Hamilton, Canada, but minus "With or Without You", which I was kinda disappointed in that being cut out of the set, but I got to see it back on May 15th.
What really got me going right from the beginning for the set was, they played "New Year's Day", which they didn't do back the last time I saw them. My wife liked it as well, because her Birthday is New Year's Day. At the beginning of "Out of Control" Bono did a "remember when" kinda retro-spection. He talked briefly about how old each one of the band members were when they made their first single, which was the "Out of Control." He told how they sent a tape to London and went on a train and plane over to London and that's how they first started their breakthrough.
Yes, just like in Hamilton, Canada; Bono did the whole America flag bit towards the very end of "Sunday Bloody Sunday." There was this group of people towards the tip of the heart that had an American flag, and Bono borrowed it from them. He wrapped himself in it and sang the very ending parts of SBS. Then after he had done that he went into his whole "When Will I See You Again", which I've heard before, when I was a child, but my wife and I couldn't pin point who sang it originally.
During "Angel of Harlem" Bono and Edge, met each other near the tip of the heart and sung to each other and to the anxious audience that was reaching out to them trying earnestly to touch them. I was only focused on Edge and Bono, therefore I don't know if Larry or Adam were apart of the song, but I know that Edge was playing an electric guitar.
During "People Get Ready" Bono noticed that someone towards the tip of the heart was either calling out to him or had a sign saying that he knew how to play a guitar, and wanted to play to that specific song, which was just like Hamilton, Canada, but this man knew how to play, and didn't act afraid of the whole situation. Bono made good comments about the guy's ability to carry the notes, and was referring to him as a possible and passable "substitute guitar player." He also was referring to Smashing Pumpkins saying that it was a very good band. Also before the guy was back to the GA floor after playing; Bono gave the guy a hug.
"Staring At the Sun" was very cool especially with Bono and Edge back at the tip of the heart singing together. What really was the best was when Bono was leaning over the out stretched hands, which he just about to fell into. A girl met him half way and helped him sing the ending parts of the song.
"BAD" was very colorful, because they used this crystal blue, kinda sky blue color to light up the heart and stage. The only problem that was annoying with this performance of "BAD" was that they didn't use the movie screens above them, so we could see their faces at least. I don't think they used the screens during "BAD" back in May either. They ended this song with a sippet from "40", which nearly everyone in the audience, especially the U2 fans knew it quite well.
Everyone upon everyone went nuts for not just SBS and "BAD", but they seemed to be in "good" spirits for "Where the Streets Have No Name." It was very bright, and they did the whole red back drop, which they've been doing since Joshua Tree Tour. They added the element of shinny bright flashing lights during certain areas during the song, and when that would happen the croud went nuts.
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", was a real treat for me, because other than seeing it on "Rattle and Hum" movie, and listening to it on my bootlegs. This was the first time that I actually got to see it live. It was very good, and during the song towards the end, Bono referred to the United Center as a "Church" and he lead us into clapping. Not just a few people here and there clapped, but the whole areana was into it.
"Pride" was very cool, and once again people were all into this song, because as you well know. Anyone upon anyone that knows of U2, has to know "Pride" :) I can't remember who Bono wanted us to sing for at the end of the song, but I would like to know. If there is someone out there that went to this show could you please email me and tell me. Also if someone knows who originally sang the "When Will I See You Again", please email me.
This time for "Bullet the Blue Sky" there wasn't the Charlton Heston speach like there was back on May 15th when I last went. However, Bono did in fact use the spotlight at the end, and he kept on repeating AMERICA, which really got people all estatic, because of American pride. People when America or USA was meantioned during the concert, they all went nuts, alot of cheering.
"New York" was done the same way as when I went back in May. Bono did little to no referring to the September 11th terrist attack, which really amazed me, but not really. Why it didn't amaze me is, because I read the reviews from earlier shows, and it meantioned that he didn't do hardly any meantioning of the New York City terrist attack. However at the end of "New York" but towards "One" that's when Bono really spilled out his frustrations towards the Afgahni terrists, but he was very happy with the Drop the Debt or something like that, but did in fact refer to the terrist act as being nothing in which the Koran teaches.
In "One" just like October 13th's Hamilton, Canada show, they listed on the back drop screen, the names of all the people from the hijacked airplanes. With Bono's speach of his discused towards the terrism and then the listing of the names........well all I can say is it made a deep impact to the audience.
"Kite" Bono said that he thought it was meant for his baby boy, which he saw after the first leg of this tour, but then he dedicated it to his father Bobby Hewson, which I thought was very sensable. It was really awesome that he has such love for his parents that he actually dedicates a song to his Dad. I know from reading interpretations that alot of his lyrics really do refer back to his longing to be with his Mom, and now his Dad.
This is basically all I can say about this concert. The most important thing is this. The good show must come to an end, but it's the memories that last forever!!!! Yeah all good shows must come to a close, but it's what I can take that no one can steal, and that's the fine, and deeply instilled memories, no one can steal those from me. I really do love this group alot, and as my wife and I were riding back on the train home. I was fully convinced, and I acknowledged that if they come back again, I definately want to go. I'm a U2-holic. Then I also meantioned that it would be cool if U2, for whatever reason they can't find any new material soon, then they should do a found raising tour. Kinda like "Conspiracy of Hope Tour" and help those children over in Afgahnistan. She liked the idea. I wish I could tell Bono, but I don't know how or when I will be able to share my interests and thanks.
I'm most definately looking for someone that's a die hard U2 fan that would like to talk with me. Thanks for reading this lengthy review. I'm sorry I didn't go into detail on my trip there and back, but I like sharing what I can remember about my U2 experiences. If I'm missing some finer details or you want to share your experiences from this concert please email me.
Thanks,
U2Fan4Ever

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