by cal

warning: i have a tendency to be long-winded when i write about things i'm passionate about. . .

my fourth and, sadly, final elevation show has left me feeling. . .indescribable, but i'll try anyway. it is the evening of the day after and my feelings about the show have actually grown in the time i've had to absorb it all. i remember every second. i can still hear the music, still see the lights, still feel the sense of longing i felt when the house lights came on and i realized it would be a long time before i see u2 again. i wish i could see every show! but these memories will last forever. u2 has changed me this year.

i feel foolish now to admit that i initially felt a twinge of disappointment in the show, only because i expected more surprises, a couple of rarities, like the first leg. but it only took a short time for me to realize that this third leg could never be like the first, in light of recent and ongoing world events. knowing how compassionate bono is, how empathetic he is to the suffering of people around the world, it has dawned on me in a rush that all of this coupled with the death of his father must put an unimaginable burden on him and the whole band to go out and give it their all every night. i think this leg of the tour is a bit less playful, more ugent, the songs chosen for a deeper purpose. it was a different mood than the first leg, but no less heart-wrenching. although the show was relatively short, the passion was simply incomparable in music today. the emotion in the crowd was palpable, as everyone sang until we were hoarse; i'm sure the band felt the togetherness as we did. they are the best live band on earth, possibly the best the world has ever seen.

there were so many highlights. "i will follow" was the most energetic i've ever heard, with some great improv by bono. "stay" felt so wonderful with the crowd belting it out, after a killer "desire" even with the edge's aborted acoustic attempt. the "wake up dead man" segue into "stuck in a moment" felt so perfect, it's a wonder they hadn't done it before. "all i want is you" brings tears to my eyes every single time i hear it; how the edge ever came up with that amazing guitar solo all those years ago i just can't imagine. genius. i could barely find enough strength in my throat to belt out "YOOOUUU!" over and over, but somehow it just had to happen. it WAS all i wanted.

the encore was the most amazing thing of all, though. "bullet" just built to such a frenzy in the end i was shaking when it was over. "what's going on"--it was as if the edge wrote the damn song. it was my first time hearing u2's version and i was blown away. and "new york." wow. best version of that i've seen for sure. bono was right in front of us, his back to the translucent curtain, just transfixed by the emotion of the song and its newfound meaning. i was rattled by the power of it all. and then "one." bono's speech seemed to come right through me; he said exactly what i wish i could make everyone in this country understand. if he was able to convince just one person in that crowd to stop resenting muslims or any other ethnic group and embrace a feeling of oneness with all good people of every color and creed, he has done a great service. anyone who disagreed with what he said should not call him or herself a u2 fan.

finally, "walk on," which seemed like it should just go on forever with everyone singing "hallelujah" over and over until we blew the roof off the place. i wish i could have run into everyone i met at a u2 show this year and hugged them all. i have been forever elevated. thank you to all of you who've been a part of this tour; without such great fans these shows could not have been so meaningful. i doubt that anything i'll experience will ever compare, but we'll see once the next brilliant album comes out and the magic starts all over again...

peace,
cal roach

Return to previous page | Post a Review of this show!