Saturday morning I awoke slick with sweat wondering where I was. I rolled over, opened my eyes and saw my room before me but something felt strangely out of place. Then I realised, I was burning up, my pjs were clinging to me wet with sweat, was I sick, had someone tipped water over my bed whilst I was asleep, no... the minor heatwave of England had begun and my suntrap of attic bedroom had grown as hot as a Swedish sauna!
I was beginning to frown and get in a bit a funk when it suddenly dawned on me, today, was U2 day!!! I bounded from bed and ran to the bathroom giddy as a school girl. One bacon and Philidephia toastee later and Steve, Ben and I were packed in Benny's Megan ("I see you baby...") discussing our favourite songs and marvelling at the sunshine.
It was a strange pilgramage to Twickenham, I'd spent so long anticipating the gig that it felt like it should always remain a distant dream to build towards. We met Freeman and the boys at the gate and climbed the stairs to our stands looking out over a filling pitch and impressively large stage. As the Doves began their set it was beginning to sink in that in a few hours time Bono et al would be strutting their stuff. Sadly the Doves sucked as their engineer did an awful job, it was like a wall of sound, it was very poorly mixed. Athlete absolutely rocked! I was very impressed, I guess I expected them to be a bit swamped by the Stadium but they were relaxed, playful and sounded great. Wires was particularly moving...
One hour and several mexican waves later and there was a sudden roar as four 2cm tall men made their way on stage and exploded into 'Vertigo' (probably one of my favourite songs on the album). There they were, The Edge looking cool, Bono strutting charasmatically around the stage leading the audience like an orchestral conductor crescendoing the mood of the crowd.
Download still20havent20found.wavAs the sun set behind the stadium they crooned their way through a surprising number of old favourites! Particularly moving was I still haven't foudn what I'm looking for... xthousands of people singing at the top of their lunges of searching for something more, that indescribably thing that can quench their thirst like no other... (click on the file right to hear my crackly recording..)
To be honest I'm not really sure how else to talk about the concert. It was an incredible experience. The moment they read the declaration of human rights and sang about love as phrases flashed accross the screens was very evocative. I found the only way I could respond was to pray. It was such a priviledge to go with the Freeman clan as U2 were David and Jonathon's first propper concert (talk about starting at the top!) and we all sang jumped up and down and watched David play air guitar together.
Next time (and there will be a next time) I'm getting tickets down on the ground as close to the stage as I can. I think that would be the way to top last Saturday's experience. For pure spectecal and performance this was probably my best gig experience ever but I have to say that Cold Play's RUsh of Blood to the Head tour will be the one I still think of most foundly as I think I prefered the more intimate venue and atmosphere. cx