During its 23-song, two-hour-show at San Jose's HP Pavilion Saturday night, the quartet not only was excellent musically, it was thought-provoking and politically stirring...  With its mix of politics, spirituality, charisma and intense playing, this concert was simply a masterpiece. The new songs, particularly a bass-whomping ``Love and Peace or Else,'' broke through the shells that encase the album versions.  Brad Kava  (full article here)

Above is a quote from today's san jose mercury paper, from the same critic who blasted their new album as one of the top five worst albums of the year last year.
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File this one under: i'm stoked out of my mind and i feel pretty good

wow.  u2.  live.  that pretty much sums up the weekend.  i'd been waiting a few months for a show to just take me aback and simply awe and whoa me, simply take my breath away!  this tour, vertigo, is just simply breathtaking and gives you that giddy feeling. 

there was just so much that just revitalized me and just made me feel alive.  from the electrifying guitars of the edge to the presence and charisma of bono, the just crazy beautiful light show that amazed us.  the feeling of being one and a part of the world through the political tinged songs, expressions, images, and testimony.  there was just so much.  a lot to take in, and i just don't feel i can justify it with just words.  images to follow. 

and how'd they play?  amazing.  almost the entire new album mixed with alternate key-ed versions of many achtung baby songs (i love it when bands mix up their songs!), a 1980 single that they referenced was played on now-defunct but still alive in our minds KSJO radio.  many anthemic hits like new years' day, sunday bloody sunday, and pride.  even many of the new songs sounded much better live as they really fit in with the setlist. 


Bono singing blindfolded during the anti-war song, bullet the blue sky


Just look at how high those lights stretch out.  amazing!!


vertigo....


bullet the blue sky




I forget which song, but they'd just shown a video listing the articles of the UN's Declaration of Human Rights.  Very moving, they focused on Africa, especially.  During this sequence, they showcased the flags of all nations on the light display. 


`When Dr. King said, `I have a dream,' he was talking about a dream big enough to fit the whole world,'' Bono said before launching an Africanized version of ``Where the Streets Have No Name.'' ``Not just the American dream or the European dream or the Asian dream or the African dream. It is a dream where everyone is created equal under the eyes of God.''


love the spotlights on this shot


One of the most moving pieces of the night.  Before performing One, the lights all went out and Bono had us all flip open our cell phones to illuminate the Arena.  To help the band's efforts to end poverty in Africa, we were to text message our names to be added to a list.  Near the end of the show, all the names of those who texted were shown across the screen! 


I couldn't find other shots from high above, but if you see the red illumination on the tracks, well it was crazy!  Different colors illuminated in different patterns doing so many different things during each song! 


somewhat similar to my angle of the show. not the greatest seat in the house but anyone there felt alive. 

Another favorite moment was Bono reminiscing about meeting Pope John Paul II and how even though they didn't share the same ideas on everything, what he stood for, peace, was clearly above anything else.  To which he dedicated my favorite song on their latest album.  Miracle Drug. 


I don't often gush about shows as much anymore but this was a bit much.  Hope it didn't roll too many eyes.