By Christopher Blagg
Saturday, May 28, 2005 - Updated: 08:56 AM EST

Being dubbed the biggest band in the world may rattle some well-adjusted rock bands. But you get a sense Bono and the lads don't get rattled. Ever. And their burdensome title proved hard to refute at a near-exploding FleetCenter Thursday night, as U2 absolutely slayed the adoring masses for the second of three sold-out performances.
U2 may have played a near replica of Tuesday's show, but fans didn't come to be surprised by classic and rare nuggets. They came to be lifted, to be overwhelmed by the power of rock 'n' roll, and that's what U2 does best. A deluge of anthemic rockers began the night, the grand ``City of Blinding Lights'' folding into the somehow still fresh-sounding smash ``Vertigo.'' A wonderful detour from the set list then reared its head with the Latin-spouting classic ``Gloria,'' thrilling the crazed, fist-pumping audience.
Among the hysterical masses could be found several celebrities, including Tom Brady and Al Gore. In one of the most poignant parts of the night, Tedy Bruschi brought the house down, the recovering stroke victim walking unassisted to his seat and giving the entire FleetCenter several pumps of his meaty fists.
Even the star power filling the seats couldn't distract from the imperial presence and playing of the veteran Irish rockers. As Bono loped, felinelike, around the oval stage, his husky tenor showed remarkable power on the emotive tear-jerking ode to his father, ``Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own,'' and the epic martial assault of ``Sunday Bloody Sunday.''
Of course, Bono didn't shy from pontificating, but he preached with such passion that even red-state-leaning fans must have whooped along in assent. The double inspirational assault of ``Pride (In the Name of Love)'' and ``Where the Streets Have No Name'' were prefaced with an impassioned plea for world leaders to end poverty and hunger. Amnesty International will likely see a spike in donations throughout the Boston area. When the biggest band in the world asks you to do something, what choice do you have?

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