I went in to this concert possibly expecting a ho-hum performance from aging rockers going thru’ the motions. Want a great surprise – they still cut it, the Edge’s consummate guitar skills the perfect foil to Bono’s inspired singing & stage presence combined to make a superb show.

I was particularly taken with their version of “Elevation”, a slower, funkier version with a take from hometown heroes The Go-Betweens’ “Streets of your town”, a nice tribute to Grant McLennan’s untimely demise.

“Sometimes you can’t make it on your own” was also poignant; a passionate rendition sung sans sunglasses, I thought he was about to shed a tear…

“Miss Sarajevo” was a surprise. The pre-gig rumour that Kylie – of all people- was going to have some input was fortunately not realised, but come the Luciano Pavarotti solo I was checking the wings to see if the big man wasn’t about to trundle onto stage. Whoa, Bono launched into tenor mode & hit the notes big time, very impressive.

It took a dozen songs before we finally heard something off the Joshua Tree – “Bullet the blue sky” & a couple more before “Pride” (my favourite) the only song from The Unforgettable Fire. I know the band must be sick of doing the early stuff but they don’t seem to be adverse to including snippets of other songs (“When Johnny comes marching home” seemed apt within “Bullet…”). So why not anything from Boy or October? Is a medley sacrilege?

First encore started with “Zoo Station” then “The Fly” – songs I haven’t listened to for years. These ‘modernised’ versions were great, gave the songs new life. Finally, “With or without you” also with a “Streets of your town” sample for those who didn’t get it the first time.

Second encore kicked off with a lively rendition of “The Saints are coming”, a track from 70s Scottish punk outfit The Skids. Followed by “Angel of Harlem” that I feel really does need a brass section to lift it. A subdued version of “Kite” wound up proceedings very nicely with Bono releasing a bird of paradise kite attached to balloons. It flew perilously close to a lighting tower, illuminated by a spotlight and scudding moonlight thru’ the clouds.

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