by Jim Taggart

I was lucky enough to get a great seat for this show. Section 108, ROW ONE. Right behind the soundboard. Talked to Willie Williams before the show and asked him if he had any suprises for tonight. He laughed and said "I'll be suprised if it works!!" Also managed a word with longtime U2 soundman Joe O'Herlihey, wish him good luck and he smiled and shook my hand. So, before the concert even started, I was already geek-struck.
I have to say that this was a completely different show than Saturday. Because I was basically one the floor, I missed some of the more spectacular lighting effects, and instead concentrated on the performance.

Almost the same setlist, almost. The first suprise came when I hear the opening drum riff of "Gloria" and freaked out. In the solo part, Bono introduced Edge as "The" (his first name, right??)
"The Ocean" also brought a smile.
Bono dropped a little bit of "Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" into the end of "Beautiful Day" which was a nice touch. He pulled some shirtless kid up during the bridge. "See the world in green and blue/Tatooed boy, right in front of you"

Bono's voice seemed a little strained tonight, he was reaching for some notes and they weren't there. But all in all a great show. I do have to day that the sound was a little muddy from where I was sitting, sometimes it sounded like the band was playing in two different keys.

"Pride" was fun, although it ended with a clunk and many in the crowd stopped singing the "Wo-oh-oh-oh" part, forcing Bono to stop his Dr. King speech, smile and restart the chant for us.

I STILL say that "Streets", with it's African theme, works well. And for all you naysayers, Willie seems to have added some red lights and flashing strobes, albeit at the end of the song. Still a highlight.

"Love And Peace" is for me, the best song on "HTDAAB" AND the best live song on this leg of the tour. Bono drumming at the front of the ellipse is great theatre.
"Zoo Station" had a little technical glitch, the house lights went on at the start of the song. Quickly corrected. Bon's doing the "Dr. Strangelove" salute like he did on ZooTV, his right arm shooting up and his left slapping it down.

Ok, the BIG suprise came next. After the "Achtung" set, U2 played "With Or Without You" for I believe the first time this tour. Some lucky girl sat on stage for the entire song, and did a lap around the ellipse. Speaking of the ellipse...

Boys, WHY did you go to the bother of constructing this ellipse and then NOT USE IT?!?! Even Adam didn't venture around the horn tonight. Even "Yahweh" was performed on the main stage. What gives guys?

All in all a great show. They mixed up the setlist and delivered all I could ask.

Oh, people..."The Fly" is a great song and one of the busiest visually in the set. So GET UP OFF YOUR ARSE when it's being played, will ya?

Until October then...

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