At very last moment I decided to go to Croke Park. I could not get a day off to travel with Shels to Waterford, so I thought I'd give it a go. Bought a second hand ticket for 120 euro, reasonable if you hear what some others gave for it.
I am not a U2 fan but do like most of their work. So went to the arena with the idea of "we'll see, don't know what to expect, but hopefully it will be a nice one"
It was a nice one... I am deeply impressed. They were absolutely great.
It started off a bit lame, it seemed Bono's voice didn't get through very well, it was mainly Edge's guitars dominating. But the problem was solved rapidly and then Bono proved he is a cracker frontman. Very charismatic, knows how to play the crowd, vocally very well. He surprised me in a very positive way.
The stage seemed very high-tech but was not used at all in the beginning. It proved to be a trick: saving the best for last. With every song the spectacle became bigger and bigger, special effects + displays on a giant screen + light effects... The setlist was very good as well: starting off with Vertigo, then saving most of the classics for last as if they were going towards an apotheose in the end (except for New Year's Day which was played rather early in the evening).
I was a bit afraid Bono's political issues would make it sound a bit mellow, but on the contrary. It gave the gig a unique extra dimension. It was simply a uniquely stunning moment when the whole 80000 fans lit the arena for the Burmese human rights fighter who's imprisoned, it was just as stunning when the whole crowd applauded when the Human Rights Charter was displayed on the giant screen and when Bono speeched on fighting poverty in Africa. There was so much in the small details, for example the word "coexist" with the Islamic moon sign forming the C, the Star of David forming the X, and the cross forming the T ; the three dominant religions' symbols all in such a powerful word. Simply brilliant.
The political issues didn't make it mellow a second. It was unique to see 80000 people make a collective mass statement for peace, the band actually turned a concert into something that goes way beyond a concert. The feeling of connection and brotherhood between everyone in the crowd was unique. United by the wish for a better world, united by love for music.
One of the best gigs I've been to in my life. The atmosphere was stunning, it was a big open air party of people having a good time and praying for a better world. The performance was excellent, the setlist very good as well. The build-up of the show was great, and even the weather gods were going along as the rain stopped pouring by the end of the gig :)
Big big class. I get this feeling when seeing my own idols (Placebo, Bunnymen) but was never so impressed and thrilled by a gig of any other band. I've seen Paul McCartney and the Stones in a recent past, but this was way better.
Stunning concert, and I'm even considering going back on Monday. We'll see if the budget allows it ;)
