On this past rainy Sunday, fans of U2 braved the elements to travel to the Bradley Center to witness the sold out Milwaukee leg of the Vertigo Tour 2005. About the only thing they could have been disappointed in was the weather...U2 put on a show that was packed with music from start to end and covered the band's catalog from their beginnings to their current album.

The stage set up consisted of a simple stage and a runway that looped out into the audience and circled back to the stage. The runway encircled General Seating ticket holders, allowing them a 360( view of the show. The runway allowed Bono to interact with his audience which he did enthusiastically. Even audience members in the seats in the rafters were acknowledged by the energetic performer throughout the show.

The concert opened with guitarist The Edge, drummer Larry Mullen and bassist Adam Clayton taking their stances on the stage while Bono chose to emerge from below the tip of the runway between the audience that surrounded the inside and outside of the circle. Bono started his slow motion strut around the circle and we were off, rocking to the opening song City of Blinding Lights from the band's current album. They smoothly segued into Vertigo, the crowd on their feet where they remained for the majority of the evening. U2 dedicated songs to the US military, doctors and nurses and old friends. Each dedication was greeted with a tremendous, positive roar of a response from the audience.

In his trademark shades, Bono circled the runway while telling his stories. He strutted, stalked, sauntered and strolled his way through the evening. This is a band that works together without seeming to think about it. Bono pointed out that the band started 29 years ago that Sunday in Mullen's kitchen. The interaction between The Edge and Bono is that of two old friends who banter back and forth like old friends do, swapping thoughts and memories of their past together.

Fans who fondly remember U2's first forays on MTV were not disappointed. U2 offered solid, rollicking performances of Sunday Bloody Sunday, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Where The Streets Have No Name and Pride that kept the audience on their feet and their voices singing out. They were even treated to a rich performance of Miss Sarajevo, with Bono covering Luciano Pavarotti's part in a clear, strong, almost operatic tenor voice.

In the past, Bono has been criticized for interjecting too much politics into his performances and Sunday night did not pass without references to Ireland, Africa and the Aid's epidemic. However, all were mentioned in a positive, upbeat nature. And keeping with the tradition of lighting a lighter to show their support of the band, Bono asked everyone with a cell phone to turn on their phones so that the darkness of the Bradley Center was dotted with the blue glow of cell phone screens. It was a move that was smart and effective in that the audience was also asked to text message their support to the One Campaign.

The evening was memorable for all, I am sure, but one young girl from the audience will remember Sunday night with awe and wonder for the remainder of her days. Plucked from the audience, she was brought up to the top of the circle to cling to Bono as he sang With Or Without You. It was a moment that inspired envy among many young ladies to be sure but also demonstrated Bono's abilities as a true showman. He drew his audience to him, whether they were 11 or 61, and kept them enthralled throughout the night.

After over two hours of almost solid music and two encores that included Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses and The First time, the show was done and a satisfied crowd dispersed into the rainy night.

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