A month ago (or more), I saw U2 in concert. I've been wanting to blog about it, and just never made the time. So, while it's not super fresh in my mind- I think I could still string together a few thoughts.
I've always wanted to see them (well, since I was in college and really knew who they were) and thought just one time I'd spend the money and go. So, when my friend Gretchen asked me last spring if I wanted to get tickets with her for the September show in DC, I said yes.
We were hoping to get mid-level tickets, but by the time her mom was able to get through (she went along with us and was our ticket purchaser extraordinaire) all that was left was 7 rows from the top, or field level. I was interested in going, but not $200+ interested... so we opted for 7 rows from the top.
it was an adventure getting there (I have never seen a metro car so full), and adventure ordering food (it took them 20 minutes for our $7 fries and $10 chicken fingers), and we were finally at our seats.
It was an awesome show. Great stage- great set list- my one complaint (besides the drunk dancing woman in front of me) was that there was an echo from where we were sitting so it was hard to hear when Bono spoke. But
DEFINITELY worth it (cost wise- i spent more $$ seeing David Cook this summer...) and I would
for sure go again. A lot of my friends/acquaintances have asked "why do you/people like U2? what's the big deal?" Here are my reasons.
- They have been playing music together since 1976 with no member changes. How many bands have been doing that?
- They have both sincere ballads and crazy pop/rock. A nice variety.
- They use their fame to do good in the world. I know some people who don't agree with this- they want their singers to just sing and their actors to just act- but I say- if you're famous- why not use it to better the world.
- they put on a crazy good show
- they let people into the inner circle of their stage by random selection (My friend Gretchen got to do it once)
- i think their message and the music points to something bigger. some say it's Jesus, some say it isn't, I think it very well might be.
Jim Wallis
wrote a blog about the concert the next day (he's better than I am) and I think he said it well. Take a gander.
To cap it all off, we walked the wrong way out of the stadium towards the metro, had to turn around and haul it back... we got on the last train out of the stadium about 10 seconds before it pulled away. Left York at 2:30 pm, got home at 3:00am the next day. Still... worth it!
Here's the crazy stage lit up
You can sort of see the band here.....
This is with or without you, in the encore. Probably my favorite moment of the show. The sound is terrible- but I think you can still see the effect.
