There are two public figures whose presence brings me to tears: the Dalai Lama and Bono.  

    You may chuckle or giggle a little at my previous statement, but if you’ve sat through a U2 concert or rather, danced like a school girl through a U2 concert, you could understand how it is a religious experience.  This group’s compassion and humanitarianism is conveyed during every moment of a U2 concert….and the 360 Tour, which finally arrived in Miami last night, for some of us a two year wait…was nothing short of a religious experience.  
    First, there was the stage, which supposedly is the largest one ever made for a concert tour, and costs between $23 and $31 million to put together.  It was something that teetered between a space ship and a cylindrical video screen, and a huge tower that ran down the middle, creating spectacular lighting effects.  It was pretty incredible.
    Second, there was the band walking onto the stage to the sounds of David Bowie’s Space Oddity.  Amazing.  You knew you were about to witness greatness.
    Third, there was the fact that they opened with 3 songs from Achtung Baby, my favorite album of theirs (you think Bono knew?).
    Then, there was the moment when they showed a video about political violence, while playing Sunday Bloody Sunday, and a video of pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, recently freed by Burmese military authorities from years of house arrest, while they played Walk On.  Bono spoke about  

Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet,  a Cuban political prisoner, who was released from prison in March after serving an 8 year sentence in Cuban prisons because he distributed copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which translated into “acts against the sovereignty and independence” of Cuba.  The International Space Station also relayed messages of peace, including a video, originally aired in Seattle, of astronaut Mark Kelly with a message for his wife, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, after she was shot in the head.  
    There were so many moments that connected with you on an emotional level.  It was truly an amazing experience…and then they sang One while numerous people walked onto the stage carrying luminaries with the Amnesty International sign on each.  Wow.  I was more amazed that the audience was not on their feet, with lighters in one hand, swaying…thank goodness they did that for With or Without You.  U2 walked off stage and left video images of the space crew while Elton John’s Rocket Man brought the evening to a close.
    What did not work in this concert experience?  THE PARKING!  Personally, it took me nearly 1.5 hours to leave the lot, and that was with my dear boyfriend looking for pockets that were moving…it was poorly organized, but still well-worth the night.

U2 gets 4 outer space thumbs up and Bono gets 5 sunglass kisses!

Here’s the set information:

 

Opening Act: Florence and the Machine (amazing!)

Walked on stage with David Bowie’s Space Oddity from the album, Ziggy Stardust  (religious experience!)

Main Set: Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – The Promised Land, North Star, Beautiful Day – Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy (remix), Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On

Encore(s): One, Will You Love Me Tomorrow – Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender

Exited with  Elton John’s Rocket Man and images of the space crew.

Share