I know it's over a year since this gig happened but that's the way with great bands isn't it? You remember when you feel something at a great gig. And noone seems to have reviewed this one. You remember it when music manages to really speak to you. Ok, I'll stop right there because I'll either end up sounding highly pretentious or like a Disney ad. (where magic lives!)
I'm an Irish guy who lost out on the "gone in 60 seconds" tickets for the Slane gigs and managed to get a Manchester ticket when more became available on the net. Having seen U2 a few times before, I'm used to having my mind blown by them so my expectations were high.
U2 are masters of stage setting. Before they appear, your anticipation is mounted. You're ready for something special. So when four ordinary guys take the stage, you feel like you're in the presence of greatness and you know you'll be moved. And quite simply, that's what happened. The depth of the sound of U2's music which has been so important not just to them but to all rock music since the 80's, came booming out of the P.A. Many generations of people including first-time concert goers were in unison with the sound and the feeling. When it later transpired that Bono's father had only a few days to live, the gig became incredibly poignant. Here's a man who is letting 20,000 people in on his most personal experiences. That kind of generosity does not fail to touch. In a quote from the Elevation programme, Bono says " resolve to do what you said you would do when you were watching us" (or something like that) I thought it was a bit ostentatious but on leaving the gig, I felt I had been lifted up. It was like a celebration of life in a way that religion has failed to achieve. And it was that powerful that it could nearly be described as spiritual. Oh shit I'm in dodgy territory now but those who've seen them will know what I mean.

I don't know if U2's last album was as important as some of their earlier stuff (just my opinion) but in a live context, they're the most important band around still after 22 years and I bet they will be again next time out. Highlights included:
Running around the heart for "Streets" and the Fly".
Bullet the Blue Sky - at it's most powerful.
Kite - Bono speaking of his father.
The band's camaraderie which is shared with the audience.
And the best bit- Coming away from it feeling like everything could be ok!

If you see one band before you die, see U2

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