On Wednesday, March 30 2005, I was finally priveleged enough to see U2 in concert. I say finally because they were one of the last remaining acts in my Personal Pantheon that I hadn't seen live yet. Through all the Weezer, Roots and even Wu-tang shows that I've made it to over the years, U2 has always eluded me. The one time they played in Austin, 2001's Elevation tour, I was studying abroad in Singapore. The biggest band in the world in my backyard, and I'm halfway across the world. Well not this time buddy, U2 kicked off their Vertigo tour with two shows in San Diego and I was there for the second one, and I can safely say that I am a better person for it.
Set List:
City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Cry / Electric Co.
Gloria
Beautiful Day
With or Without You
New Year’s Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes you can’t make it on your own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Running to Standstill
Zoo Station
The Fly
Elevation
Pride in the name of love
Where the Streets Have No Name
One (I left after "One", because I mean really, is there a better way to end a show?)
All Because of You
Yahweh
"40"
Notes and Thoughts:
--They were alot of oooooold people at the show. I say this not in a negative way, just that I've never been to a show with more than just a couple of token older dudes. This place was teeming with the 50 and over crowd. My favorite? The guy in the seats in front of me who brought his young son (aged somewhere between 8 and 10). What a great dad. I immediately knew that 15 years from now that would be me, hopefully some band of my generation will be still be cool enough for me to do so. True, the kid seemed bored and somewhat embarassed, but I guarantee, five or six years from now, he's gonna pick up his dad's CDs, get his mind blown by "Pride" or "Where the Streets Have No Name" and realize what an amazing thing his dad did for him.
--The Edge is pretty old too, and looked it most of the show. But it was immeasurable fun watching him occasionally unleash the Guitar God within for really old school songs like "Gloria" and "Electric Co."
--Bono should get the Nobel Peace Prize
--There are other bands that have been around just as long, other acts that have rocked for decades, but there is no other group of four musicians in the world that uplift and inspire thousands of people the way U2 can. This is not an arguable point.
--They played almost all my favorite songs, even springing some surprise changes from the previous night's set list, I love when that happens.
--Next on the Unseen Pantheon List: Eminem, once again I had the chance to see him in a small club in Austin before the blew up like crazy, but missed it. I will not miss him again.
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Question o' the Month: Can the Mavs beat the Spurs or Suns in a 7 game series? Discuss.
The Suns maybe, if the Super Sophs (Howard and Daniels) bring their A game, if Stack and Damp are healthy and play to their contracts and if Dirk starts to even remotely live up to his MVP-Larry Bird associations by making everyone else better. The Spurs? Not so sure yet, if Damp can somewhat contain Duncan one-on-one, then maybe there's an outside chance.