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A to Z Blogging Challenge Recap

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2009), 360 (2011), A to Z April Challenge, Albums, Bono, Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, Popmart, Songs, Tours, U2, Vertigo, Videos, ZooTv with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 1, 2013 by DeenasDays

I love blogging the A to Z Blog Challenge - blogging everyday in April, except Sundays, on a specific theme. I loved doing it last year, and I enjoyed it even more this year. I think I enjoy the challenge so much because I am one who likes to to lists things, rank my favorites. This year’s theme, in case you missed it was ‘My U2 from A to Z’ – about what aspects of U2 that has influenced me. It was fun, and it seemed I may have introduced a few new U2 topics. Just in case you were away from the internet in April, the following is what I wrote about: Achtung Baby, Bono, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Drums, Elevation Tour, First U2 Show, Get on Your Boots, Hallelujah Here She Comes and all B Sides from R & H and JT, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Joshua Tree, Kentucky Lexington Elevation 5.4.01, Larry Mullen Jr, Memphis Mullen, No Line on the Horizon, October, Popmart, Quest Field Seattle 360, Rattle and Hum, Storm Electrical, Three-Sixty (360) Tour, Unforgettable Fire, Vertigo Tour, War, X-Factor Fake U2 Audition, Yahwey, and ZooTv.

Larry hugging me

Larry hugging me

I also blogged the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z. I am not sure what I am going to write about U2 now since the new album and tour won’t be for several months, so if you have any suggestions please let me know.

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Unforgettable Fire – my U2 A to Z

Posted in 360 (2009), A to Z April Challenge, Albums, Bono, Concerts, Songs, U2, Videos with tags , , , , on April 24, 2013 by DeenasDays

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Technically it’s The Unforgettable Fire, but I always refer to it as Unforgettable Fire - and for the rest of this post I’ll just use UF. UF  has always been one of my favorite U2 songs. It is also one of my favorite U2 albums, and it is a great video. I love when Larry looks up and flashes that sweet smile. UF is probably my favorite Larry look. 

 

I had never heard UF live until the US 360 tour opener in Chicago 2009. I was SO excited, and very emotional, to finally hear UF in concert, but unfortunately they changed it and cut out my favorite part – “Stay this time, stay tonight in a lie. I’m only asking, but I, I think you know. Come on take me away, come on take me away. Come on take me home, home again.” But it was really cool when Bono sang the first verse of UF to us in Charlottesville a month later. 

 

This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z.

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Three-Sixty (360) Tour – my U2 A to Z

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2009), 360 (2011), A to Z April Challenge, Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , on April 23, 2013 by DeenasDays

I really don’t think I can fit everything about U2′s 360 Tour into one blog post. It changed my life, literally. I saw 8 shows on the first US leg in 2009 and all 16 shows on the second US leg in 2011. The 2009 US leg of the 360 tour was what I normally did on U2 tours – saw as many shows as was geographically and financially possible with my old U2 friends. It was the 2011 US leg of the 360 tour was what changed my life. I took three months off of my life and drove across the country with my two dogs to all 16 US shows – and saw so much of America along the way. I made so many new friends, visited many great cities, started this blog, wrote a book (which I’m still trying to publish) about my adventures on the road with U2.

My rate the shows I saw on the U2 360 2009 Tour as follows: Las Vegas my favorite and DC, Oklahoma, Chicago1 are close seconds. The other four are probably in the order of Raleigh, Charlottesville, Chicago2, then Atlanta being my least favorite. For me how I rank a U2 show is more than just how the actual U2 concert was, although that’s a big part of it. It’s about who I saw the show with, what city we’re in, where in the concert we’re standing and unfortunately what happened that day leading up to the show. And if I’m going to be completely honest, what sort of Larry moment I had. The Las Vegas show was my favorite because it was a great U2 show, and it was in my second favorite city Las Vegas. It was a great set list that included ‘Viva Las Vegas’ as well as a snippet of In God’s Country. During the band introductions, Bono said Larry was the ‘Elvis of U2.’ Those two Elvis moments really made the show for me. Another great moment was when Larry smiled and waved to me at the beginning of I’ll Go Crazy. The Vegas show was also great because the whole day was relaxed, hanging out with everyone outside before the show and having the freedom to move around wherever I wanted during the show. The DC, Oklahoma and Chicago1 shows were tied for second for very different reasons. I loved the DC show even though it had my least favorite set list because U2 did not play No Line on the Horizon and didn’t replace it with anything. Even though I went alone, the DC show had a great energy from both the audience and the band. This was my hometown show plus it was my first time at the front rail on this tour, and the most centered I ever was. And I did have my Larry moment when he smiled at me from the drumkit while I was jumping up and down in my Larry Mullen Band shirt. And I didn’t imagine it either because someone came up to me after and told me she saw Larry smile at me. Oklahoma was great because it was the first time I was really relaxed and moved around the concert. The first time I went back behind the stage to watch Larry and have room all to myself – not worrying about ‘my spot.’ Larry smiled and waved at me at the beginning of I’ll Go Crazy. Chicago1 was amazing because it was my first show of the tour, and it had the best set list of the tour. I heard Unforgettable Fire for the first time and Pride and Bad, two of my all-time favorite songs, were played for the only time of the eight shows I saw that leg. Chicago1 was very stressful though and very exhausting because we waited in the GA line all day in the hot sun and then had people all around us smushed up against us during the concert. The Raleigh show was good because it was my birthday show (a day early), and I heard In a Little While (my favorite song off All That You Can’t Leave Behind) for the first time since the Elevation Tour. We also go to hear the sound check and had the perfect spot on the catwalk where Larry, Adam and Edge each stopped in front of us during I’ll Go Crazy. The Charlottesville show was good because we stood at the front rail on the side of the stage, Bono sang a verse of Unforgettable Fire to us, and I could really hear Larry’s ‘HEY HEY HEYs’ during Get on Your Boots because the vocals were SO loud. At the time, I did not appreciate the Charlottesville show because of all the horrible traffic we encountered getting to the show. The Chicago2 show was good because Your Blue Room was played for the first time ever, and it was a very relaxed show. The Atlanta show probably would have been better if I wasn’t sick and alone. I had a great spot at the front rail in front of Adam and Larry gave me a nod from the drumkit during Beautiful Day even without my Larry Mullen Band tee. For the first time in my life, and I hope the only time, I left a U2 show early. I left during One because I was so sick, but at least I got to see a little of the show from across the stadium for the first time. A great thing about 360 2009 was that I got to see U2 in cities I had never seen them in before and obviously visit cities I’ve never been to. My whole life I had wanted to visit Chicago and go to Wrigley Field. Because of U2, I got to do that and now I love Chicago! I had always wanted to visit Atlanta as well and got to do that. Although I’m not a huge fan of Atlanta, but I am glad I got to visit the Martin Luther King sites. I had never really wanted to go to Oklahoma, but it was cool to see it. And I had been to Las Vegas twice before, so any excuse to go to Vegas. I love Vegas! 360 2009 was also great because I got to see and hang out with a lot of friends that I hadn’t really seen since the Elevation Tour, because I wasn’t really into the Vertigo Tour.

I had always wanted to drive across the country, and I had always wanted to follow U2 on tour – the whole tour. And last summer that is exactly what I did. I wasn’t working and barely had enough money, but I packed up the car and Elvis, Cilla and I left our house for three months to drive to every U2 show in the US on the last leg of the 360 Tour. Along the way, I visited great American sights, saw 16 fantastic U2 concerts and met many great people.

the traveling threesome

We drove over 18,000 miles through 31 states – some states we drove through multiple times. We drove through and/or stayed in Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Delaware, New Jersey and Minnesota. I visited Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Deadwood in South Dakota, Red Rocks in Denver, Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Reno and Lake Tahoe in Nevada, the Experience Music Project and Kurt Cobain’s house in Seattle, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Harmony Hotel, Joshua Tree Park and Elvis’ homes in Palm Springs, took a bus tour of LA and Hollywood, visited Johnny Cash’s grave outside of Nashville, Bronz Fonz and Summerfest in Milwaukee, the Football Hall of Fame, and saw Soundgarden in Philadelphia. My favorite places were Mount Rushmore, Palm Springs, and Milwaukee.

I saw all 16 U2 360 shows in the US. My favorite moments (my squealing moments) of each U2 360 concert were the following: watching U2 walk through the crowd and walk to the stage, Larry banging the drums to open Even Better Than the Real Thing -  boom boom! boom! boom boom!, when Larry and his drums turned around to face behind the stage (where I was) during Mysterious Ways, Larry standing up (back to back with Bono) banging the drums singing “LET ME IN THE SOUND” during Get on Your Boots, Larry walking around with his conga during I’ll Go Crazy, Larry and his drums turned around to face behind the stage (where I was) and then Bono rapping at him during Sunday Bloody Sunday, Larry’s drum solo during Scarlet, and watching U2 leave the stage and walk through the crowd to the tunnel leaving the stadium.

it’s all about Larry

My favorite U2 360 shows were Anaheim2, Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Seattle, but each of the 16 US shows were special. The Denver show was special because it was the first U2 show in the US on the last leg of 360, it was the first time I heard Zooropa and Scarlet, it was in the stadium where my beloved Denver Broncos play, and I met Beth. The Salt Lake City show was special because I heard Love Rescue Me, one of my favorite songs, for the first time. The Seattle show was one of my favorites because I talked with Bono before the show about meeting Larry, Larry walked over to me smiling and shook my hand as he walked to the tunnel as he left the stadium, I watched the show with Jenny, and I met Chuck. The Oakland show was special because Larry sang a part of Lou Reed’s A Perfect Day and I talked with Bono again before the show about meeting Larry. The first show in Anaheim was special because it was the first time Paul McGuinness had ever been on stage. The second show in Anaheim was my favorite 360 show because U2 brought back my favorite song I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For for the first time that leg and I cried, and they completely changed the set list by opening the show with five straight songs off Achtung Baby then played Streets. The Baltimore show was special because it was the loudest audience of the tour, Larry took off his shirt on the way to his car after the show, I got the set list and I watched the show with Tasha. The East Lansing show was special because it stayed light through Elevation and U2 entered through the bleachers up top behind the stage. The Miami show was special because it was the first time U2 played North Star in the US. The Nashville show was special because it was the first time U2 played The Wanderer, in honor of Johnny Cash, they brought up a blind guitar player at the end of the show to play All I Want Is You, and it was the first time I saw Larry get out of his car at the stadium. The Chicago show was one of my favorites because it was the first time I had ever heard One Tree Hill, which was completely spontaneous and the first time it was played in the US since 1987, U2 played Out of Control for the first time in the US that leg, and I shook Edge’s hand before the show. The Philadelphia show was special because U2 brought back the original version of Magnificent and moved it down in the set list, I watched the show will old Elevation friends, and I met Natasha. The St. Louis show was one of my favorites because of the amazing energy both from the audience and U2, and I got a little shout out from Bono about the Larry Mullen Band. The New Jersey show was special because it ended with Out of Control, it was the longest show of the tour, and I met Anisha. The Minneapolis show was special because it was the only show in the US that leg that it rained, a drenching downpour complete with lightning, and I danced in the rain throughout the show with Deb and her husband. The Pittsburgh show was one of my favorites because it was the last US show, Matt and Melissa danced on stage during With or Without You, U2 closed with Bad (one of my favorite songs which was played for the first time in the US that leg), watching the show with Abbey, and my favorite moment of the entire tour was when Larry hugged me on his way to the stage.

I had the best summer of my life on the U2 360 Tour. I learned there really is humidity in Southern California, to never drive around Chicago or Atlanta (especially on July 4th weekend), don’t avoid an outdoor concert in Miami in the summer because you think it is going to be too hot because the shows in St. Louis, Baltimore and Nashville were much hotter, and U2 fans really are the greatest. But the most important thing I learned is to always follow your passion, even if you think it’s impossible or impractical. If I had thought logically and practically, I would have skipped the second Anaheim show to make it an easier drive from California to Maryland to make it to the Baltimore show, but then I would have missed my favorite show of the tour. And if I had been thinking logically and practically, I would have never even gone on the trip to begin with because I couldn’t really afford it, but then I would have missed out on the best summer of my life On the Road with U2 on the 360 Tour.

This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z.

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Quest Field Seattle – my U2 A to Z

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), A to Z April Challenge, Bono, Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on April 19, 2013 by DeenasDays

DAY 22 – JUNE 4 – U2 360 #3 – Qwest Field SEATTLE

The U2 360 show in Seattle was better than the previous two shows I had been to in Denver and Salt Lake City. Even though it was the same set list, the audience was much more into it, the band was having a blast and actually seemed a little more into as well, Lenny Kravitz was a better opening act than The Fray, and oh yeah I talked with Bono before the show about Larry and Larry shook my hand as he was leaving the show.

U2 360 Seattle 6.4.11

To conserve energy on that rare sunny day on June 4th, Jenny and I took a cab to Qwest Field – even though it was just under a mile away. We got to the stadium at 3:00, got in the GA line just long enough to get our wristbands and then walked around to wait for U2 to arrive. We met some new folks and talked with old friends. I met Chuck and Michelle whom I’ve stayed friends with. Chuck and I would go on to see many other shows together. They told us Larry had just went in, so I was a little disappointed – but they were wrong.

U2 in Seattle
Qwest Field

After a short time, we saw the flashing lights of the police escort and black SUVs. Edge, Bono, Adam AND LARRY drove into Qwest Field right in front of us. We looked down the long driveway and saw Bono get out and head back toward us. He hopped on the back of the policeman’s motorcycle and in seconds was talking with us. Jenny and I were in our ‘Larry Mullen Band’ shirts as usual. I shouted, “Is Larry ever coming out to greet the fans?” Bono responded, “He only likes you. I love you.” Then Bono went on to say, “You like that kind of cold stare” (referring to Larry). Before Bono was about to leave, he asked the small crowd of about 30 people, “Where are the Larry Mullen people?” I shouted, ‘Right here!” and pushed my way toward Bono. He read my shirt as if to make sure I was the ‘Larry Mullen Band’ girl he had been talking to earlier. Then Bono asked, “Do you have a message I can deliver?” I was confused and frantic. I thought he was going to tell me a message from Larry, but I quickly realized what he had said and I replied, “Yes, tell Larry to come out in Oakland since he didn’t come out here.” He said, “OK.” I then went on to tell him that I would be at all the US shows, but I don’t think he heard me. Bono then asked my name and repeated it back to me, “Deena.” When he got in his golf cart to go back, I saw him write something down. I was hoping it was my message to Larry. I had no idea what this conversation would eventually lead to almost two months later in Pittsburgh.

Chuck, Bono and me
The Larry Mullen Band

We got in the GA line and had about an hour wait in the hot Seattle sun before we were let into Qwest Field. While waiting we got to hear the sound check. I was quite excited to hear The Fly, but disappointed it wasn’t included in the set list later. Once inside, we got a nice spot in the inner circle on Adam’s side – a great view for Lenny Kravitz. Lenny was a great opening act, a lot better than The Fray. He didn’t take the stage until 7:30 and only played 45 minutes, but played the four songs I know – It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over, American Woman, Fly Away, and Are You Gonna Go My Way. Lenny had these great female backup singers that reminded me of Elvis’ Sweet Inspirations. Lenny also did karate moves that reminded me of Elvis. Could Lenny be a fan of The King? Please watch my video of an overview of Lenny Kravitz opening in Seattle.

Lenny Kravitz

After Lenny Kravitz’ performance, we went over to Edge’s side and stood behind the stage to wait for U2 to enter. It was odd getting our neck’s stamped (instead of our hands) for re-entry to the inner circle, but this was to be the practice for most of the tour. Security kicked us off the rail where we were waiting for U2 to enter, claiming the fire marshall wanted that space cleared. So instead of having us lined up along the rail like we were, they had us lined up horizontally sort of blocking the way to the inner circle. Not sure how that wasn’t a fire hazard. This was also to happen for most of the tour. But as soon as U2 came out of that tunnel, security couldn’t hold us back and we were again on the rail. Larry came by and smiled at me, and I think he may have waved – of course I was screaming his name and wearing my Larry Mullen Band shirt. We decided to stay on Edge’s side for the show, and it was a good decision. We had a great view of the show. It was side view, but we could see everything. During Even Better Than the Real Thing,  Bono shouted, “The Emerald City shining in the sun.”

the Edge

During Get on Your Boots right before my favorite “LET ME IN THE SOUND”, Bono said, “Larry Mullen!” Apparently he did this at most shows, but I never heard him because I was too busy screaming. I would get SO excited for Get on Your Boots! Before Magnificent, Bono said, “Here comes the Boss – the Arch” (referring to Arch Bishop Desmin Tutu and his part in the Magnificentremix.

U2 in Seattle

Before Until the End of the World, Bono sings, “It’s the end of the world as we know it. Edge feels fine.” Some folks from REM were at the show. During the band introductions, Bono talked about how June 4th was a date we are all going to remember. He again mentioned the rare sunny day in Seattle. He said the band was going to start again and we should pretend we didn’t know them. Bono said, “You think of him as a tough guy, but he’s a very thoughtful man. On the drums, Larry Mullen Jr!”

Bono

For the first time, video of Commander Kelly at the Space Station is shown before Beautiful Day. He is holding words from the song and then says, “Tell my wife I love her.” Video of Kelly is shown later in the song as he recites the lyrics. Commander Kelly is married to Gabby Gifford who was shot months earlier. This video was played before Beautiful Dayfor the rest of the tour. The audience would get really excited each time he would say their city’s name. I don’t think they realized it was recorded and he was actually talking to us from space.

where’s adam?

At the end of Vertigo, we went behind the stage to wait for Larry and his conga to start his walk for I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight. He again smiled at me as I screamed his name and jumped up and down – actually I think he was laughing at me, but I’ll take it. For Moment of Surrender, we moved behind the stage to wait for U2 to leave. Instead of standing by the stairs at the stage where we could have gotten a good picture, we waited back toward where the tunnel is. As Larry was walking out, Jenny shouted, “Larry!” He smiled and made a b line for us. He shook Jenny’s hand and then mine – still smiling. I thanked him. Excited as I was, I thought to myself that this does not excuse Larry from coming out to meet me in Oakland, assuming Bono gives him my message.

my favorite picture of Larry I took this tour

As we were walking through the crowded parking lot, we passed by Eddie Vedder and his bodyguard looking for their car. I of course ran after them to try to get a picture, but was unsuccessful. I did manage to snap one just before Eddie was getting into the car, but it was of course blurry and of the back of him.

chasing Eddie Vedder

The set list for the June 4th 360 show in Seattle was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, Elevation, It’s the End of the World as We Know It / Until the End of the World / Where Have All the Flowers Gone, All I Want Is You, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque /Life During Wartime / Psycho Killer, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On /You’ll Never Walk Alone, One / Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Where the Streets Have No Name / All You Need is Love, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender.

That Seattle show is still one of my favorites of the 360 tour. It had a much a better energy than the previous two I had seen in Denver and Salt Lake City. Also, it was great to see it with my old Elevation friend Jenny – I had been alone at my first two shows. It was also the show where I met Chuck, whom I have stayed friends with and saw many shows with on 360. Seattle was where I met and spoke with Bono about meeting Larry and where Larry shook my hand as he left. It was a great night!

This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z.

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Kentucky, Lexington Elevation 5.4.01 – my U2 A to Z

Posted in A to Z April Challenge, Concerts, Elevation, U2 with tags , , , , , on April 12, 2013 by DeenasDays

For some reason, it is really difficult to write about U2 topics that start with the letter K. Last year when I wrote about my favorite U2 songs from A to Z, I chose Kite for my K choice – even though it isn’t one of my favorite songs. This year I struggled again with picking a K for My U2. I chose the Lexington, Kentucky Elevation show, which isn’t even one of my favorite U2 shows, let alone one of my favorite Elevation shows – although they were all fantastic. But it was a great show and it took place in a state that begins with K. So here is what I wrote after the Elevation show in Lexington, KY on May 4, 2001:

Best U2 concert ever!! I know I write that after each concert, but they get better every time I see them! Vicki and I flew into Lexington around 11am, went to lunch, shopped a little, then I got in the GA line at Rupp Arena around 2pm – Vicki had a seat. Bono came out around 4pm and thanked us. He was only out there for a few minutes, but I got a few pictures. I hung out with a bunch of nice people in the GA line, including Brad, who I met in Charlotte.

Even though I was within the first 150 people in line, I still stood at the tip of the heart. The best place to stand – you can’t convince me otherwise. PJ Harvey opened again. I heard Kite and Stay for the first time. U2 also played an acoustic version of Desire, but they did not play Gone, Staring at the Sun, Discotheque or Ground Beneath Her Feet. I touched Bono’s hand once – the first time he leaned into the crowd. And then I patted his shoulder as he ran between the catwalk and us (where security is) – first time for that. I think Pride may have been my favorite this time. Bono was much more talkative tonight and much more political. I took my camera in this time and got some nice shots. What a night! Best U2 show!

Tomorrow on to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby!

This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z.

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First U2 show – my U2 A to Z

Posted in A to Z April Challenge, Bono, Concerts, Tours, U2, ZooTv with tags , , , , on April 6, 2013 by DeenasDays
my 1st U2 showmy 1st U2 show

My musical journey on the road with U2 started 21 years ago today in Hampton, Virginia. It was Saturday March 7, 1992, and I was 19. My first U2 show was the fifth of the ZooTv Tour. On the morning of March 7th, my best friend Cindy and I drove four hours south from Ellicott City, MD to Hampton, VA. Back in those days, there was no need to get to the city of a concert a day early because there was no general admission – we had actual assigned seats on the floor. We checked into our hotel and immediately walked across the street to the Hampton Coliseum, even though it was hours before the concert was to start. We saw a small circle of people with a big microphone hovering over them. As we got closer, we realized Bono was in the middle of that circle! I didn’t speak with him, but got close enough to take pictures and to hear what he was saying to everyone else. For my first U2 show, I was seated in the fourth row in front of The Edge. Bruce Hornsby and Phil Joanou walked in from behind the stage and passed by us on their way to the soundboard. The Pixies opened, and I did not like them at all. But then again, I just wanted to hear U2. I had waited five years since the release of The Joshua Tree to see them in concert!

Bono 1992Bono 1992

In Hampton, VA on March 7, 1992 for the only time on the ZooTv Tour according to U2gigs.com, “The Fly is played after Even Better Than the Real Thing and Mysterious Ways, rather than before.” The set list from my first U2 show was as follows: Zoo Station, Even Better Than the Real Thing, Mysterious Ways, The Fly, One, Until the End of the World, Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Tryin to Throw Your Arms Around the World, Angel of Harlem, Satellite of Love, Bad/All I Want is You, Bullet the Blue Sky, Running to Stand Still, Where the Streets Have No Name, Pride, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Desire, Ultra Violet, With or Without You. 

my 1st U2 concert tee
This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog Deena’s Days about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z.

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My 1st U2 show – March 7, 1992 ZooTV Hampton, VA

Posted in Bono, Concerts, Tours, U2, ZooTv with tags , , , on March 7, 2013 by DeenasDays
my 1st U2 show

my 1st U2 show

My musical journey on the road with U2 started 21 years ago today in Hampton, Virginia. It was Saturday March 7, 1992, and I was 19. My first U2 show was the fifth of the ZooTv Tour. On the morning of March 7th, my best friend Cindy and I drove four hours south from Ellicott City, MD to Hampton, VA. Back in those days, there was no need to get to the city of a concert a day early because there was no general admission – we had actual assigned seats on the floor. We checked into our hotel and immediately walked across the street to the Hampton Coliseum, even though it was hours before the concert was to start. We saw a small circle of people with a big microphone hovering over them. As we got closer, we realized Bono was in the middle of that circle! I didn’t speak with him, but got close enough to take pictures and to hear what he was saying to everyone else. For my first U2 show, I was seated in the fourth row in front of The Edge. Bruce Hornsby and Phil Joanou walked in from behind the stage and passed by us on their way to the soundboard. The Pixies opened, and I did not like them at all. But then again, I just wanted to hear U2. I had waited five years since the release of The Joshua Tree to see them in concert!

Bono 1992

Bono 1992

In Hampton, VA on March 7, 1992 for the only time on the ZooTv Tour according to U2gigs.com, “The Fly is played after Even Better Than the Real Thing and Mysterious Ways, rather than before.” The set list from my first U2 show was as follows: Zoo Station, Even Better Than the Real Thing, Mysterious Ways, The Fly, One, Until the End of the World, Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Tryin to Throw Your Arms Around the World, Angel of Harlem, Satellite of Love, Bad/All I Want is You, Bullet the Blue Sky, Running to Stand Still, Where the Streets Have No Name, Pride, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Desire, Ultra Violet, With or Without You. 

my 1st U2 concert tee

my 1st U2 concert tee

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Happy Birthday Larry Mullen Jr!

Posted in Concerts, Elevation, Larry Mullen, U2 with tags , , , , , on October 31, 2012 by DeenasDays

Not only is today Larry Mullen Jr’s 51st birthday, but it is also the 11th anniversary of the night Larry and I shared a drink – the second Elevation Providence show on Larry’s 40th birthday 10.31.01. Here is what I wrote about that night:

October 31, 2001 – Providence 2 – Larry’s 40th Birthday

This was the best show ever! There will never be another one like it! I woke up outside around 8am – pretty good sleeping outside in 30 degrees for 5 hours. I went up to the warm hotel room until about 10am, then had some breakfast. I stayed in the GA line all day without leaving, except to take a shower around 3:30. I got everyone in the GA line to sign the big orange birthday card I made for Larry. I put my name and email address on the back just in case. The band didn’t arrive until after we were inside Dunkin Donuts Center. Me, Tasha and Paola wore our Larry Mullen Band shirts. We got our spots at the rail up front and center between Bono and Adam. I held up my birthday card for Larry as they walked on stage, but he didn’t notice it. There were many, many signs including one saying, ‘Bono let Larry sing.’ During Elevation, Bono sang, ‘ Celebration’ then said, ‘Happy Birthday.’ After Stuck in a Moment, Larry’s 40th birthday celebration began. We sang Happy Birthday to Larry. A birthday cake was brought out and presented to Larry. Bono said, ‘Larry loves chocolate cake!’ Larry pretended to throw the cake out into the audience. Larry took the mic and came to the front to talk while Bono sat behind the drums. Larry said, ‘Bono can’t play the drums. It took me 40 years to get up front. I’m glad I’m spending my birthday with 18,000 of my closest friends. I feel like I could borrow money from you.’ Then Bono asked for a bottle of champagne, which he shook up a la ZooTV and sprayed the audience. Edge took a swig, then Larry drank and continued to drink for the next few songs. After Kite, Larry got off the drums and made a B line for me. I got my card and present in hand so I could give it to him, but that’s not why he was there. He gave me the champagne bottle – with champagne still in it. I drank some then shared it with Paola and Tasha. Larry wanted to share his birthday with ME! He wanted ME to have a drink on his birthday. I was SO excited that I didn’t even know they played Wild Honey - I thought it was Staring at the Sun. I didn’t really come around until Please. After Pride, Larry came back over to me so I could give him the birthday card and Elvis tee shirt I had for him. I said, ‘Thank you. Happy Birthday.’ He smiled and said, ‘Thank You.’ He looked into my eyes, just like he had in Jersey a few weeks earlier when he gave me his drum stick. Then Paola gave Larry her Larry scrapbook, which contains the picture of him hugging me. Later on, Bono noticed our shirts, shook his head and smiled. Before leaving the stage Larry took Michelle’s Elvis sunglasses with sideburns and put them on. I was so elated after the show – walking around hugging the champagne bottle. What an amazing Larry night! I will never forget it!

Larry’s 40th Birthday
Elevation Providence2 10.31.01

Happy Birthday Larry!

Bono and Larry share a laugh

Larry loves chocolate cake!

Bono can’t play the drums

the champagne

Larry drinks the champagne

right after Larry gave me the champagne

close up of Larry either giving me the champagne or taking my birthday card

Larry taking my birthday card and elvis t I had for him

Yay Larry!

me with the champagne bottle after the show

That Providence 2 Elevation show was my favorite U2 show, as well as my favorite concert ever. I doubt there will ever be another night like it. Granted it was Larry’s 40th Birthday, and I love Larry, but also for the energy and for the rarities U2 played that night. Slow Dancing was played for the first time on the Elevation tour, and only the 11th time ever. Party Girl and Wild Honey were played for the first time on that leg of Elevation – and I’ve only heard those songs a couple of times ever. There was just a great energy in Providence that night that I haven’t experienced since. I still have that champagne bottle, displayed on my shelf along with Larry’s drum stick he gave me in Jersey.

Providence 2 set list 10.31.01: Elevation, Beautiful Day, Until the End of the World, New Year’s Day, I Will Follow, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Stuck in a Moment, Happy Birthday Larry, Party Girl, Slow Dancing, Kite, Wild Honey, Please, Bad / 40, Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Pride, Bullet the Blue Sky, What’s Going On, New York, One, When Will I See You Again, Walk On

Happy Birthday Larry Mullen Jr!

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I Found What I Was Looking For on the U2 360 Tour

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , on January 6, 2012 by DeenasDays

I had always wanted to drive across the country, and I had always wanted to follow U2 on tour – the whole tour. And last summer that is exactly what I did. I wasn’t working and barely had enough money, but I packed up the car and Elvis, Cilla and I left our house for three months to drive to every U2 show in the US on the last leg of the 360 Tour. Along the way, I visited great American sights, saw 16 fantastic U2 concerts and met many great people.

the traveling threesome

We drove over 18,000 miles through 31 states – some states we drove through multiple times. We drove through and/or stayed in Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Delaware, New Jersey and Minnesota. I visited Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Deadwood in South Dakota, Red Rocks in Denver, Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Reno and Lake Tahoe in Nevada, the Experience Music Project and Kurt Cobain’s house in Seattle, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Harmony Hotel, Joshua Tree Park and Elvis’ homes in Palm Springs, took a bus tour of LA and Hollywood, visited Johnny Cash’s grave outside of Nashville, Bronz Fonz and Summerfest in Milwaukee, the Football Hall of Fame, and saw Soundgarden in Philadelphia. My favorite places were Mount Rushmore, Palm Springs, and Milwaukee.

I saw all 16 U2 360 shows in the US. My favorite moments (my squealing moments) of each U2 360 concert were the following: watching U2 walk through the crowd and walk to the stage, Larry banging the drums to open Even Better Than the Real Thing -  boom boom! boom! boom boom!, when Larry and his drums turned around to face behind the stage (where I was) during Mysterious Ways, Larry standing up (back to back with Bono) banging the drums singing “LET ME IN THE SOUND” during Get on Your Boots, Larry walking around with his conga during I’ll Go Crazy, Larry and his drums turned around to face behind the stage (where I was) and then Bono rapping at him during Sunday Bloody Sunday, Larry’s drum solo during Scarlet, and watching U2 leave the stage and walk through the crowd to the tunnel leaving the stadium.

it's all about Larry

My favorite U2 360 shows were Anaheim2, Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Seattle, but each of the 16 US shows were special. The Denver show was special because it was the first U2 show in the US on the last leg of 360, it was the first time I heard Zooropa and Scarlet, it was in the stadium where my beloved Denver Broncos play, and I met Beth. The Salt Lake City show was special because I heard Love Rescue Me, one of my favorite songs, for the first time. The Seattle show was one of my favorites because I talked with Bono before the show about meeting Larry, Larry walked over to me smiling and shook my hand as he walked to the tunnel as he left the stadium, I watched the show with Jenny, and I met Chuck. The Oakland show was special because Larry sang a part of Lou Reed’s A Perfect Day and I talked with Bono again before the show about meeting Larry. The first show in Anaheim was special because it was the first time Paul McGuinness had ever been on stage. The second show in Anaheim was my favorite 360 show because U2 brought back my favorite song I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For for the first time that leg and I cried, and they completely changed the set list by opening the show with five straight songs off Achtung Baby then played Streets. The Baltimore show was special because it was the loudest audience of the tour, Larry took off his shirt on the way to his car after the show, I got the set list and I watched the show with Tasha. The East Lansing show was special because it stayed light through Elevation and U2 entered through the bleachers up top behind the stage. The Miami show was special because it was the first time U2 played North Star in the US. The Nashville show was special because it was the first time U2 played The Wanderer, in honor of Johnny Cash, they brought up a blind guitar player at the end of the show to play All I Want Is You, and it was the first time I saw Larry get out of his car at the stadium. The Chicago show was one of my favorites because it was the first time I had ever heard One Tree Hill, which was completely spontaneous and the first time it was played in the US since 1987, U2 played Out of Control for the first time in the US that leg, and I shook Edge’s hand before the show. The Philadelphia show was special because U2 brought back the original version of Magnificent and moved it down in the set list, I watched the show will old Elevation friends, and I met Natasha. The St. Louis show was one of my favorites because of the amazing energy both from the audience and U2, and I got a little shout out from Bono about the Larry Mullen Band. The New Jersey show was special because it ended with Out of Control, it was the longest show of the tour, and I met Anisha. The Minneapolis show was special because it was the only show in the US that leg that it rained, a drenching downpour complete with lightning, and I danced in the rain throughout the show with Deb and her husband. The Pittsburgh show was one of my favorites because it was the last US show, Matt and Melissa danced on stage during With or Without You, U2 closed with Bad (one of my favorite songs which was played for the first time in the US that leg), watching the show with Abbey, and my favorite moment of the entire tour was when Larry hugged me on his way to the stage.

I had the best summer of my life on the U2 360 Tour. I learned there really is humidity in Southern California, to never drive around Chicago or Atlanta (especially on July 4th weekend), don’t avoid an outdoor concert in Miami in the summer because you think it is going to be too hot because the shows in St. Louis, Baltimore and Nashville were much hotter, and U2 fans really are the greatest. But the most important thing I learned is to always follow your passion, even if you think it’s impossible or impractical. If I had thought logically and practically, I would have skipped the second Anaheim show to make it an easier drive from California to Maryland to make it to the Baltimore show, but then I would have missed my favorite show of the tour. And if I had been thinking logically and practically, I would have never even gone on the trip to begin with because I couldn’t really afford it, but then I would have missed out on the best summer of my life On the Road with U2 on the 360 Tour.

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My U2 360 Musical Journey ends in PITTSBURGH 7.26.11 – I finally Found What I Was Looking For

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Bono, Concerts, Fans, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 17, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAYS 72&73 – JULY 24&25

I left Minneapolis just before 11am the morning after the U2 show. I was in a great mood because it was such a great show, but I was exhausted. I stopped one time in Wisconsin before stopping for the night at a Motel 6 in Joliet, Illinois. The next day I drove through Indiana and Ohio, again, and made it to Pittsburgh for my final show of the U2 360 tour. I had driven 16,888 miles since I left Memphis 73 days prior. Neil McCormick was showing Killing Bono that night in the Pittsburgh area, but I was too exhausted to go. Plus I had already seen it at the Seattle Film Festival in June.

U2 in Pittsburgh

DAY 74 – JULY 26 – U2 360 #16 – PITTSBURGH

My final U2 360 show (my 16th of that leg, my 24th of the tour, and my 75th U2 show overall) ended on amazing high note, more than I could have hoped for, more than I imagined – Larry hugged me on his way to the stage! So the first few songs on my last U2 360 show were pretty much a blur. It was a standard set list but then U2 ended the show with Bad, one of my favorite U2 songs – haven’t heard it since Chicago1 in 2009. So glad Bad was the last song I heard U2 perform. When Larry walked off the stage and toward the tunnel, he saw me, smiled and gave me a thumbs up – twice. So glad Larry smiling at me was the last image I have of the U2 360 tour.

U2 360 Pittsburgh 7.26.11

I began the day in Pittsburgh just as I had for the previous 15 U2 360 shows – walked the dogs, ate breakfast, watched tv, napped, ordered lunch and went to the stadium in the afternoon to wait for U2 to arrive. I met Abbey and Anisha in the lobby of my hotel the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh, and we took the free shuttle over to the stadium at 2pm, even though it was close enough to walk. It was a beautiful day – 80s, sunny, breezy, and not humid. I saw many friends old and new, including Jennifer and Chris, Tyler and his dad, Tim, and Sarah. But the surprise was Matt, Melissa, her parents and Kim. I had no idea they were coming and very happy to see them – and it turned out to be very fortunate for me as well.

me, Abbey, Sarah waiting for the band

U2 arrived just around 5pm. Bono and Edge came out to greet the fans. I couldn’t get close enough to talk with them, but I did see Larry and Adam get out of their cars and walk inside. Matt and Melissa talked with Bono and selflessly told him about me and how I had driven to every US show and would like to meet Larry. Brian, Bono’s security guy, told them to wait there and he would see what he could do. Brian came out later and told me Larry was in a meeting, but he told Larry about me and Bono told Larry about me. Maybe Bono and Larry knew he was talking about me, since I talked with Bono in Seattle and Oakland about meeting Larry and Larry sometimes waved to me as he walked to the stage – and Brian said he had seen me at the shows. Brian took my phone number and said he would look for us inside. He also gave us wristbands for the soundboard and for the red zone.

Bono talks with fans in Pittsburgh

Although I had the credentials to go to the soundboard and the red zone, I went to my usual spot on Edge’s side of the inner circle to wait for U2 to enter. Abbey was with me and Deb and her husband and Melissa’s parents were also there. Brian came over and told me that he was still working on getting me to meet Larry. Interpol didn’t take the stage until about 7:45 and played their usual set.

inside Heinz Field waiting for U2 to walk in

I’m not sure when U2 came out, probably just about 9pm. When they walked out of the tunnel (on Adam’s side) I noticed that Larry wasn’t first as usual. Adam and Edge were first and Larry and Bono were behind them, so I kind of thought something was up. But then somehow Larry moved up front. As Larry walked up the ramp, he locked eyes with me and was smiling. He walked across the platform, jumped down to me, and hugged me. He didn’t say a word, he just put his arms around me. It felt like the hug lasted forever. He definitely pulled away first because I kept hanging on. I think I muttered a ‘thank you.’

Larry looking at me (photo by Deb Pruitt)

here he comes! (photo by Tony Chiapetta)

Larry jumping down to hug me (photo by Kari Moore)

Larry leaving me (photo by Izzy Ciszewski)

Congrats from my friends after Larry hugged me (photo by Tony Chiapetta)

Larry gave me the biggest, best hug ever and then went on stage. I burst into tears, as I am doing now while writing this. My friends around me congratulated me and hugged me, which made the moment even more special. I was so excited that I don’t really remember Even Better Than the Real Thing or The Fly. I don’t think I came to until Mysterious Ways when Larry’s drum kit turned around and faced me behind the stage. I never in a million years thought Larry would walk over to me and hug me on his way to the stage before the show. I have four videos (sort of) of Larry hugging me on his way to the stage in Pittsburgh.

This is the video I took as I usually do when U2′s entered the stadiums. I stopped the video when I saw Larry was walking toward me.

This is the video Deb’s husband took of Larry hugging me. He was 3 people down from me. It isn’t of the actual hug, but you can see Larry jumping down to me and then see him jumping up again.

In this video, you can see Larry jump down to me, but you can’t see me. And then you can hear Melissa’s dad say, “Deena got it!”

This is the only video of Larry hugging me. It’s hard to see so keep your eye on Larry, even when that woman’s head is blocking him. In the far right bottom corner beyond the pink squiggly lines, you can see Larry hugging me. This video is by Rick Long.

During Even Better Than the Real Thing Bono said, “Hot summer night in the Burgh!” Bono introduced The Fly saying, “Some crowd rock circa 1991! Achtung Ya’ll!” Instead of singing Until the End of the World, I kept singing “You were acting like it was the end of the tour.” During the band introductions, Bono said, “This is the last night of the 360 Tour in the United States. We’ve had some cool people come out of our town. Would you say behind me you might call this man the Charles Bronson of U2? Larry Mullen on the drums. Our very own movie star.” U2 again wore their LED jackets during Zooropa and City of Blinding Lights. I love Larry in that black, leather, 1950s Elvis looking jacket. He should always wear black! At the end of Vertigo, Bono sang a snippet of Two Hears Beat as One. During I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight, Larry looked at me and I shouted ‘Thank you!’ What a dork I am. At the end of Where the Streets Have No Name Bono shouted, “Tuesday night in the old steel town!” I decided to go over to Adam’s side of the inner circle during Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me so I could watch U2 leave.

Larry's hot black jacket

Larry I'll Go Crazy

Matt & Melissa on stage with Bono during With or Without You

As With or Without You started, Bono brought my friends Matt and Melissa on stage and said, “60 shows. Matt and Melissa. Where love stories begin.” Matt and Melissa slow danced while U2 played. It was beautiful. After Moment of Surrender, U2 took their bows, huddled together and then played Bad with a little snippet of 40 at the end! It was fantastic! It lasted for almost nine minutes. Bono dedicated Bad to Andy Rowen who was at the show and whom the song was written about. Andy Rowen is the brother of Bono’s friend Guggi and the brother of Peter, who is on the cover of Boy.As U2 were walking off stage, I could have sworn I saw Larry looking for me on Edge’s side where I was when he hugged me at the beginning of the show. But when they were almost at the tunnel, Larry saw me, smiled and gave me a thumbs up – twice. It looked as if Larry was going to walk over to me, but then he was ushered toward the tunnel.

Goodbye Larry (photo by Julie Dixon who was right near me)

After the show I saw Chuck and Tasha and told them about Larry hugging me and then I met up with Beth and shared my story with her. I walked back to the hotel alone (with thousands of other happy U2 fans) across the bridge looking back at the claw for the last time. I got back to the hotel and talked with Patty and her husband. Then I took Elvis and Cilla outside where Abbey met us, and we chatted for a bit. Then I went back inside and wrote in my journal about my last night on the U2 360 tour. I barely slept that night, only 3 hours.

me and Beth

The set list of the U2 360 show in Pittsburgh was as follows: Even Better Than the Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways / Someone Somewhere in Summertime / Promised You a Miracle, Until the End of the World / Anthem, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found / The Promised Land, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo / Two Hearts Beat As One, Miss You / I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Psycho Killer / Life During Wartime / Please, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, One, Hallelujah / Where The Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With Or Without You, Moment Of Surrender, Bad / In The Garden / Walk On The Wild Side / 40. My video of an overview of the U2 360 show in Pittsburgh, my last show.

My Musical Journey ended with Larry hugging me on his way to the stage of the last show in the US on U2′s 360 tour. I keep replaying it over and over in my head. Larry walking toward me, smiling, jumping down to me, putting his arms around me without saying a word, and hugging me. It seemed like it lasted forever, but after watching the videos, it was only a few seconds – but those were some magnificent few seconds! That was definitely my favorite moment of the tour and a perfect ending to my Musical Journey! I finally Found What I Was Looking For on the U2 360 Tour!

Goodbye U2 360 Tour

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U2 360 MINNEAPOLIS 7.23.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on December 7, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAYS 69&70 – JULY 21&22

With just under a week remaining in my U2 360 tour across America, I was exhausted as I drove from New Jersey to Minneapolis – again driving back through Pennsylvania and Ohio where I had just drive a few days before. I left the morning after the U2 show in New Jersey, just before 11am, and drove 443 miles to a Motel 6 in Richfield, Ohio arriving around 6:30pm. I had to stop twice along the way to stay awake and didn’t drive as far as I originally wanted. The next morning I left bright and early at 7am to make my way to Minneapolis for the second to last U2 show on my 360 tour. I spent over $18. on the Ohio and Indiana Turnpikes and was stuck in traffic for over an hour getting around Chicago. There was so much construction all the way through Illinois. After stopping once in Illinois and once in Wisconsin, I finally arrived at the Days Hotel in Minneapolis 13 ½ hours and 754 miles later. I ordered a pizza and went to bed.

TCF Bank Stadium right next to my hotel

DAY 71 – JULY 23 – U2 360 #15 – MINNEAPOLIS

I stayed in bed all day before walking over to TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota at 2pm. Luckily my hotel was right next to the stadium, just as it had been in Denver. It was a bright sunny day when I left, but they were calling for rain. With the exception of a short sprinkle at the end of the Chicago show, it had not rained at any of the 14 shows I had been to so far on my 360 tour. I walked around the entire stadium trying to figure out where U2 would drive in. I thought it might be this spot in the back, but continued around to the other side of the GA line where I saw the crew going in and out and a bunch of fans waiting. I finally met Wendy whom I’ve been chatting with on twitter and facebook for months. I also met Stuart and Paul and talked with Jason, Tim, Cathal, Suzi and Denise. Turns out I should have followed my instinct and stayed in that spot around the back of the stadium where I thought U2 would drive in because that’s where they came in and I missed them – but no one stopped anyway. This was only the second time I had missed U2 arrive at the stadium – the other time was in East Lansing.

U2 360 Minneapolis 7.23.11

the claw in Minneapolis

the GA line in Minneapolis

I went into the show around 6pm and went to Edge’s side of the inner circle so I could watch U2 walk to the stage, even though they were entering from the tunnel on Adam’s side I prefer to watch them walk under the stage – which is on Edge’s side. Deb and her husband were already there waiting. We ended up hanging out throughout the entire show, which was great fun. While were waiting for Interpol to take the stage, a guy from the crew told us they have names for each of us, but he wouldn’t tell us what they were as I am sure they are not flattering. He said they even play bingo and mark off spaces when they see us at a show. I told him to tell Larry I’ve been to every US show and was anxious to meet him. He said he hadn’t even met Larry. While waiting for U2 to take the stage, I met Jill and her friends who were also at the shows in Anaheim. Jill is now helping me get my book published. My friend Shelly who I had been chatting with on Twitter was sitting behind the stage, shouted down to me and took a picture of me waiting behind the stage. It was unfortunate that we didn’t get a chance to actually talk in Minneapolis, but we have become friends since. She was kind enough to make me audio copies of all 16 U2 shows I traveled to last summer. As U2 walked toward the stage and made that turn to go into the underworld, Larry saw me and smiled and waved just like he did in St. Louis. I sort of captured it on video, but didn’t get a picture of it. Shelly told me after that she saw Larry wave to me, so I know I’m not imagining it. Please watch my short video of U2′s walk to the stage.

waiting for Larry

here they come!

During Even Better Than the Real Thing Bono said, “Come on now. The Twin Cities. Where are you going to take us tonight? Minneapolis. St. Paul.” To introduce The Fly Bono said, “Ya’ll want to hear some crowd rock circa 1991? Achtung Baby etc.” It started to rain toward the end of Mysterious Ways. Bono said, “Rain come. Love like rain. Love like rain comes in the summer.” Bono introduced Until the End of the World saying, “Are you ready for this rain dance?” The rain caused Edge to have guitar issues, and he couldn’t make it out onto the bridge when Bono was waiting for him. Because of the umbrellas above the drum kit, Larry and Bono could not stand back to back during my favorite ‘LET ME IN THE SOUND!’ during Get on Your Boots. Bono finished song by saying, “Get on your boots in your fancy new stadium.”

The Edge before the rain

Before the band introductions, Bono mentioned that Minneapolis was originally supposed to be the last show of the tour, then they added two more shows. He said, “This is the place to begin the end of the tour party.” Bono talked about how the past few shows had been some of the best. He said, “The last show I thought I heard thunder, and I felt like a flash of lightening. Then I felt like a truck had hit me. Then I thought I’ve got into the ring with Mike Tyson. He’s beating me in the back of my head. But it was none of those things. It was Larry Mullen Jr on the drums!” There was a huge applause, more than usual for Larry. Minneapolis really likes Larry! After I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, U2 launches into a full version of Stand By Me. During which, Bono brings Somali pop star K’naan on stage. Bono had spoken with K’naan before the show about the famine in Somalia. Please watch my video of K’naan and U2′s performance of Stand By Me.

K’Naan and Bono Stand By Me

U2 played Stuck in a Moment instead of Stay. Bono introduced Stuck saying, “We wrote this next song for Michael Hutchence, but you will understand if tonight we play it for Amy Winehouse.” Amy Winehouse had died earlier that day. At the end of Pride, the audience kept singing the ‘Oh Oh Ohs’ and Bono said, “That’s a beautiful sound. The sound of America in the rain singing its heart out.” It had been raining since Mysterious Ways, but when Zooropa started it was really pouring – a cold sideways rain of huge drops. I just remember full out dancing with Deb and her husband in the pouring rain. It was so freeing and fun. Some people had left or were standing under the bridges, but if U2 were playing their hearts out in the rain on the stage, I was going to give that same energy back.

Bono on the bridge

Streets

Unfortunately, the rain did cause some problems for Larry. He seemed to be uncomfortable, he was constantly adjusting his seat throughout the show. And because of the umbrellas, Larry’s drum kit didn’t turn around during Sunday Bloody Sunday – much to my disappointment. Bono wore his army green hat during the encores. I did not walk around to Adam’s side after Scarlet as usual to wait for U2 to leave because I was afraid I would fall in the pouring rain on the way over. Instead, I stood at the stairs and watched U2 leave the stage. Larry again saw me and smiled and waved.

Goodnight Larry!

The U2 show in Minneapolis was great – a fantastic energy much like it was in St. Louis. The rain didn’t damper the experience at all. In fact, it made it even better – and my hat survived the downpour. The rain began during the third song Mysterious Ways and continued throughout the show, raining harder and harder and lightning during the encore. It ended my ‘no rain’ streak – 14 shows on the last leg of the 360 tour with no rain. The highlights for me were a full performance of Stand By Me with K’naan, Stuck in a Moment instead of Stay, and of course Larry smiling and waving to me as he walked on stage and as he left the stage. It was a great great show, even though Magnificent was not played.

The set list for U2 360 in Minneapolis was as follows: Even Better Than the Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways / Rain, Until the End of the World / Anthem, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found, Stand By Me, Stuck in a Moment, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Can’t Stand the Rain – Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights / Singing in the Rain, Vertigo, Miss You / I’ll Go Crazy / Raindrops Keep Falling / Discotheque / Life During Wartime / Psycho Killer, Please / Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, One / Purple Rain, Hallelujah / Purple Rain / Where the Streets Have No Name / Singing in the Rain, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender / Singing in the Rain.

it’s all about drums


The next morning I would leave for my last show and my last chance to meet Larry. I had already seen 15 great U2 shows and had shaken Larry’s hand in Seattle as he was leaving the stage, so whatever happened at the show in Pittsburgh would be icing on the cake. Little did I know, it would be the most amazing, delicious icing I had ever had!

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U2 360 NEW JERSEY 7.20.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Concerts, Larry Mullen, The Edge, Tours with tags , , , , , , , , on December 2, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAYS 66&67 – JULY 18&19

After the horrible days I had driving from Miami to Nashville in one day and Philadelphia to St. Louis in one, I decided to break up the drive from St. Louis to New Jersey into 2 days. I left St. Louis around noon the day after the fantastic U2 show in St. Louis. In fact it was so fantastic that I didn’t get much sleep, so I only drove about 350 miles to Dayton, Ohio. I originally wanted to make it to Columbus, which was only about another hour, but I just couldn’t do it. So I ordered an amazing pizza from Donatos (thin crust with lots and lots of cheese), settled into my Motel 6 hotel room, and watched Bono and Edge on Letterman. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much sleep that night either and I had to drive 600 miles to New Jersey. I left Dayton at 6am, stopped twice, drove across the Pennsylvania turnpike again and arrived in our Homestead Suites hotel across the street from the New Meadowlands stadium.

New Meadowlands Stadium East Rutherford, NJ

DAY 68 – JULY 20 – U2 360 #14 – NEW JERSEY

The U2 360 show in East Rutherford, New Jersey was the longest of the US tour at 2 ½ hours – it included two extra songs. U2 played Out of Control, not instead of I Will Follow but in addition to. They also played both The Fly, in its typical second spot, and Magnificent, after Get on Your Boots which was a first. And as in Philadelphia, it was the original album version of Magnificent, not the remix of the earlier shows. And Edge came out to greet the fans before the show.

U2 360 New Jersey 7.20.11

I finally got a great night’s sleep the night before the U2 show in Jersey and also took a nap a couple hours after I woke up. But I was awakened by the fire alarm going off, which was luckily a false alarm. Then on to my normal show day routine of watching tv, ordering lunch, walking the dogs before going to the stadium. Even though I was at the Homestead Suites across the street from the New Meadowlands Stadium, I couldn’t walk there because of the highway, so luckily the Sheraton next door had a shuttle going over. I thought that would be easier than driving over myself and parking, but I was wrong. It was $20 for one person, since I didn’t want to wait until after 5pm to go over. I had to be there when U2 arrived because I knew the one time I wasn’t there, Larry would stop.

U2 shuttle

I picked up my red zone ticket and wristband and walked around to where everyone was waiting for U2 to arrive. Quite a large crowd had already gathered to wait for U2 to arrive. I met Anisha, Melissa, Krystal, Sadie and Dafna whom I’ve been chatting with on Twitter and Facebook for months. I also met Patrick, who is Chuck’s friend from Austin and the lead singer of Austin’s U2 tribute band, and Matt’s cousin and his girlfriend, as well as talked friends with Barb and Alice.

The Edge's back

U2 finally arrived, well everyone except Larry. Paul McGuinness drove in, then Adam, then Edge and then Bono. Edge came out to greet everyone as he did in Chicago. I walked around and asked Jerry in security if Larry would stop to sign, but he just smiled and said he didn’t know. I waited forever for Larry to arrive. Not sure why he didn’t arrive with the rest of the band. About two hours later around 6:30 or so, Larry finally arrived. There were still a few of us left waiting, but he didn’t stop.

Edge greets the fans in New Jersey

For the first time, I had a red zone ticket. It was on Adam’s side of the stage, but decided to watch U2 walk in as I always do. I didn’t want to walk all the way around to Edge’s side to watch them walk onto the stage because the sun had really worn me out. So I just stayed on Adam’s side because they were walking out of the tunnel on his side. I ran into Mike, my oldest U2 friend – from The Joshua Tree days in high school. We saw a set list that someone had that said there was going to be an encore of Out of Control, Bad, and 40closing the show, but we didn’t believe it. Interpol didn’t come on until about 7:45. I realized that the lead singer must be an Elvis fan. He had Elvis-like sunglasses and said, ‘Thank you very much.’ I liked their first two songs, but then his voice started to get on my nerves.

Interpol

It was pretty exciting to watch U2 walk all the way down the tunnel – usually I just see them walking up to the stage. I could have sworn that when Larry and Adam emerged from the tunnel, they saw me (because I was directly in front of them and don’t really blend in with the crowd) and Larry sort of jokingly hid behind Adam grabbing him as if to say, ‘oh no there she is again!’

here they come!

After U2 walked by, I ran over to the red zone to watch the show. It seemed I was a bit more excited than everyone else there, especially when U2 added an extra song, Magnificent, after Get on Your Boots. The red zone was more crowded than I thought it would be. I stood two people back from the catwalk and had a side view of the stage, so I could see everything. I still liked my spot behind the stage better though. It’s closer and had a better view of Larry. Also, Bono and Edge go behind the stage more than they come over to the catwalk on Adam’s side where I was. The red zone was great for I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonightthough. I got to see Adam, Edge and Larry up close.

the (RED) zone

During Even Better Than the Real Thing, Bono said, “Jersey on a hot summer night. Where you going to take us?” Even though St. Louis was way hotter than Jersey, Bono only called St. Louis a ‘warm summer night.’ Bono commented all night how hot it was in New Jersey (not even 90 degrees), even though it was much hotter in St. Louis (110 degrees) a few days earlier. I think he was still overheated from St. Louis. Bono again introduced The Fly as “crowd rock circa 1991.” Bono was really into The Fly – almost angrily screaming the lyrics. At the end of Mysterious Ways, Bono again threw in a little Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World as he did in Chicago, but a very little this time with “going to run to you run to you run to you.” During Until the End of the World Bono said, “Love and Peace” but no ‘bass and drums.’ Bono again said the most special word of the night was ‘surrender’ during I Will Follow saying, “I surrender. We surrender.” After Magnificent, which was played after Get on Your Bootsfor the first time, Bono said, “Magnificent new stadium. We have played East Rutherford 24 times.” I realize I have been to 9 of those East Rutherford shows.

The Fly

Mysterious Ways

I Will Follow

Magnificent

As he had done at the St. Louis show, Bono read a set list from 30 years ago. Also just like in St. Louis, Bono said, “Some things change but so much remains the same in this band. I’d like to point out that Larry Mullen is still trying to figure out why it’s called U2 and not the Larry Mullen Band. And I think he has a point. We’re very greatful Sir for taking us off the streets of Dublin. Thank you.” But this time no mention indirectly of me. During I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For Bono said, “We want to thank Father Springsteen for the lend of the hall and some other things besides. Thank you Bruce.” Just like at the St. Louis show, Edge spoke before Stay while Bono changed his shirt and then started to play Stuck in a Moment by accident. Too bad, I would rather hear Stuck than Stay. During Elevation Bono said, “So hot tonight I feel like I could die.” After Pride, the audience kept singing the “oh oh oh ohs” for quite some time and Bono said, “Noisy New Jersey.” Before Miss SarajevoBono said, “If you’re Irish, this is really hot.”

City of Blinding Lights

Vertigo

I'll Go Crazy

After I’ll Go Crazy, I went to my usual spot behind the stage and felt right at home. It was less crowded and I was closer to Larry – and closer to Bono when he came back for Sunday Bloody Sunday and Streets. Someone rushed the stage from behind the stage on Edge’s side during Streets. I saw Sammy and security run after him, but couldn’t see what happened. It figures one of the few shows I’m not on Edge’s side that happened. After Walk On Bono said, “Oh my God New Jersey thank you!” During With or Without You, I walked back to the tunnel to wait for U2 to leave. Paul McGuinness was standing behind me watching the show. Bono said, “Feeling a little faint earlier. I hope you don’t mind. It’s hot here!” Bono dedicated Moment of Surrender to the E Street Band and Bruce. After Moment of Surrender, U2 walked to the front of the stage and took their bows. I was of course watching Larry and saw him lean to Bono and say something like, ‘Do you want to play another one? It’s up to you.’ Then Bono said, “Let’s do one more.” I heard the beginning of Out of Control and ran back to the stage, since some folks had left I was able to stand up front at the side of the stage. It was SO great! Please watch my video of an overview of the U2 360 show in New Jersey.

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Where the Streets Have No Name

Out of Control

After Out of Control, I went back to the stairs to watch U2 walk off stage and then I ran back to the tunnel to watch them leave. As Edge and Bono approached the tunnel, they hugged this man. Security said it was Bruce Springsteen, but I didn’t think it looked like him. I had to wait over an hour to catch the shuttle back to my hotel after the show. The entire parking lot  was almost empty before we got on the shuttle back to the hotel. It figured that the longest show of the US tour coupled with an unfortunate late shuttle happened the night before I had to get up and drive halfway to Minneapolis for the next U2 show.

Goodnight New Jersey

The set list for the U2 360 show in New Jersey was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World / Anthem, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / Promised Land, Stay / In the Wee Small Hours, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Psycho Killer / Life During Wartime, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, One, Hallelujah / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender / Jungleland, Out of Control.

After the New Jersey show, I didn’t feel like it was that great of a show. I remember being really excited for Out of Control of course, but just thought it was the typical U2 show – nothing particularly extraordinary. But after listening to the bootleg, that U2 360 show in New Jersey was really good. U2 really did end with four fantastic shows in the US – St. Louis, New Jersey, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh.

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U2 360 ST. LOUIS 7.17.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Bono, Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on November 30, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 64 – JULY 16

Day 64 of my U2 360 tour across America brought me from Philadelphia to St. Louis, driving almost 900 miles in over 16 hours. It should have only taken about 14 hours, but two traffic jams in Indiana caused my delay. It was much like my drive from Miami to Nashville, actually it was like deja vu. My drive from Anaheim to Baltimore was easier than my drive from Miami to Nashville and from Philadelphia to St. Louis. Elvis and Cilla were exhausted!

Cilla and Elvis resting after their long 16 hours in the car

I left Philadelphia just after 6am est driving the Pennsylvania Turnpike – again. I was on that dreaded $20-toll turnpike the week before and two weeks before that, and would be driving it again in a few days and again the following week. Ugh! But I did come across a historical marker at the one of the first travel stops on the PA Turnpike, so at least that was something interesting.

the PA turnpike

We stopped four times for gas, food, etc in addition to the two times we were stopped in traffic. Both traffic jams were on Route 70 West in Indiana about two hours apart, which was very frustrating. It was truly Carmageddon everywhere that day in July – the 405 in Southern California was closed, 240 in Memphis was down to one lane, and Route 70 West in Indiana was shut down twice. But if I hadn’t been delayed, I wouldn’t have seen the beautiful sunset – there is always good that comes with the bad.

Illinois sunset

We finally arrived at our great Drury Plaza Hotel in St. Louis just past 9:30pm cst, over 16 hours later. As soon as I walked into the lobby, I realized this was the hotel I stayed at when I visited St. Louis eight years ago when I went to the Orioles-Cardinals game. The staff there was fantastic! They answered my questions immediately and quickly brought me what I needed, as well as checked me in quickly knowing I had a long day. To reward myself for my rough day of driving, I ordered a pizza from Imo’s for a late dinner – ‘an original St. Louis style pizza.’ I didn’t even know there was a ‘St. Louis style’ pizza. It is very thin crust with provolone cheese, but it tasted like cheddar was mixed in with it. It was no Ledo’s, but it was really good.

St. Louis style pizza

view of the Arch from our hotel room

DAY 65 – JULY 17 – U2 360 #13 – ST. LOUIS

The U2 360 show in St. Louis was amazing! Definitely one of my favorites, along with Chicago and Anaheim2. Even though it was a standard set list, there was no Out of Control or One Tree Hill, the band and the audience had such a great energy. Bono was especially excited – he was really excited and happy. The Fly returned after its brief departure in Philadelphia, and Magnificent disappeared again. For the first time both Bono and Larry acknowledged me on their way onto the stage and then later Bono gave me an indirect ‘shout out’ during the band introductions. The St. Louis show was the hottest show of the tour, beating Baltimore and Nashville, with its 110 heat index.

U2 360 St. Louis 7.17.11

My friend Beth flew in the morning of the show. We talked the day before as she made last minute plans to come to St. Louis, so we decided that she would share the hotel room with Elvis, Cilla and myself. We relaxed in the hotel for a bit, then went to lunch on the way to Busch Stadium, which was only a couple blocks away from our hotel. We had a great pasta lunch at Caleco’s thinking we should carb up to sustain the long day in the 110 degree heat!

St. Louis Arch before the show - at our hotel

a special U2 lunch

the claw at Busch Stadium in St. Louis

After lunch, we made our way to Busch Stadium to try to figure out where U2 would drive in. Luckily, the spot we chose was in the shade. My friend Chuck and Beth’s friend Tim were there. We also ran into Cathal and a few others. There was a bit of discrepancy where the band was actually going to drive in. There were a lot of people on the other side of the stadium waiting, and only about 10 of us on our side. Turned out we were right and the band drove in just after 5p where we were waiting. Bono rolled down his window and waved, and Edge and Adam waved from inside their cars. The guy in the fourth car, who I assumed was Larry, didn’t wave or look at us – just looked straight ahead. About 15 minutes or so later, another car drove in and this time it was Larry and he waved. We were surprised when no one came out to greet us, since there were only about 10 of us there.

waiting for the band (photo by Beth Nabi)

I walked into the stadium and over to the inner circle on Edge’s side, but it was closed. So I had to walk around to Adam’s side, get my stamp for re-entry, then walk back over to Edge’s side. Even though I could see that U2 was going to walk into the stadium from the tunnel on Adam’s side, I wanted to be on Edge’s side so I could watch them walk onto the stage, or under the stage actually. My friend Jason from Memphis joined me. He had contacted me earlier and drove up that afternoon and luckily bought a GA from someone outside the stadium around 6pm. I met a guy and his young son Tyler, I mean like 7 years old young, who had been to 9 shows this tour. Turned out, they read my blog and Tyler’s favorites are Larry and Bono. A guy from the crew asked me how many shows I had been to. When I told him all the US shows that leg and I was driving to all of them with my dogs, he said I was crazy and should just give my money to him. I told him I should work for U2, so I could get paid to follow the tour.

U2 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis

Interpol took the stage around 7:30m and played their usual set. I still was not a fan, but they were ok. U2 didn’t come out until about 9:15pm. On the way to the stage, Larry saw me and smiled and waved. And not his usual obligatory smile and wave, but he actually seemed to recognize and acknowledge me. Then Bono smiled, waved and said ‘Hi’ to me. I could definitely see recognition in his face – and it’s been a long time since I spoke with him in Seattle and Oakland. So maybe Bono and Larry were actually waving to me as they drove into the stadium earlier. Or it could have been the fact that I was almost always standing at that same spot where U2 walk onto the stage and always wearing my straw cowboy hat and ‘Larry Mullen Band’ tee. Yeah maybe after 12 shows, they finally recognize me. Please watch my video of U2 walking to the stage – it’s a little (a lot) shaky.

Mysterious Ways

My excitement grew even greater when U2 followed the opener Even Better Than the Real Thing with The Fly, which they had removed from the set list in Philadelphia and replaced it with Magnificent. Introducing The Fly Bono said, “Are you ready for some crowd rock circa 1991? We’re not gonna walk, we’re not gonna crawl. Tonight St. Louis, we Fly!” After The Fly, I knew the St. Louis show was going to be one of my favorites. U2 had such a great energy, and Bono seemed especially excited and happy. The Fly was followed by Mysterious Ways and Until the End of the World as usual, but I just love four straight opening songs off Achtung Baby. And it doesn’t hurt that Larry starts Even Better than the Real Thing with his pounding drums and then he and his drum kit turn around and face behind the stage where I am during Mysterious Ways. But the inner circle wasn’t that crowded, so I moved from my usual spot behind the stage and stood toward the side of the stage during Until the End of the World and I Will Follow and actually got pictures of the whole band. During Until the End of the World, Bono again said “Bass and Drums” and then “Love and Peace.” He went on to say, “What sort of magic night is this? St. Louis. Missouri. Warm summer night.” During I Will Follow, Bono said the most important word of the night was ‘surrender.’ He sang, “I surrender. St. Louis. We surrender.”

I Will Follow

As if I wasn’t excited enough, or hot enough, from Get on Your Boots, one of my favorite parts of the 360 show, Bono started his usual talk before I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. He read the set list from a show U2 played in St. Louis 30 years ago. I thought they would play an impromptu old song, especially when everyone cheered when he read Out of Control, but they didn’t. Then Bono started the band introductions. He said, “So much has changed and yet so much remains the same. Larry is still upset about the fact that we changed our name to U2 from the Larry Mullen Band. And there are some people here who agree with him.” With that Larry busted out laughing. Everyone thinks Bono was referring to me, and maybe he was since both he and Larry did clearly notice me on the way to the stage. Please watch my video of Bono’s band introductions.

Bono

That St. Louis show was so hot and humid that Bono took off his signature jacket during the second or third song and performed in his tee shirt. Then he left Edge to introduce Stay while he went down into the underworld to change his shirt. During Beautiful Day Bono shouted,” Turn the lights on Willie. I want to see these people.” Then during Elevation, Bono brought up some new U2 fans on stage. As hot as it was, U2 chose the St. Louis to wear their lighted jackets during Zooropa and City of Blinding Lights. I love Larry in that black jacket (it’s so Elvis), but I can’t believe they chose the hottest show of the tour to wear them. In the past, it had only been at the colder shows. During City of Blinding Lights, Bono brought up a young boy with him to run around the cat walk – again during the hottest show of the tour.

Beautiful Day

new U2 fans on stage for Elevation

Bono says Goodbye to boy he brought up for COBL

It was so hot that Adam went shirtless under his jacket during I’ll Go Crazy. After watching Larry start I’ll Go Crazy, turn around facing the back during Sunday Bloody Sunday, and his drum solo during Scarlet, I walked around to Adam’s side of the inner circle to watch the rest of the show. Even though I like Edge’s side better, I knew U2 would leave through the tunnel on Adam’s side of the inner circle. As they walked by very quickly, I shouted out to Larry and he waved and smiled, but at my friend Chuck not at me.

Larry I

hot Larry, literally

One

July 17th was the 8th anniversary of my beloved Grandmother’s death, so maybe Grandmom had a hand in making that U2 360 show in St. Louis special for me. It was a great night! A fantastic show! One of my favorites! People who weren’t there have asked me why the St. Louis show was better than the others because there wasn’t anything extraordinary about the set list. It is hard to really put into words unless you were there. It was just a feeling we all had who were at the show. There was an amazing energy that night in St. Louis!

 

The set list from the U2 360 show in St. Louis was as follows: 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 / Many Rivers to Cross, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Life During Wartime – Psycho Killer, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, One, Hallelujah / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender.

St. Louis Arch after the show

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U2 360 PHILADELPHIA 7.14.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Bono, Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , on November 28, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 62 – JULY 14 – U2 360 #12 – PHILADELPHIA

The U2 360 show in Philadelphia was a great show, made even better because I shared it with my old Elevation tour friends as well as couple new friends from the 360 tour, especially since it was because of U2 Elevation show in Philadelphia 10 years ago that we became friends. U2 brought back the original version of Magnificent, not the remix version. They hadn’t played Magnificent since Anaheim1 on June 17th. It took the place of The Fly, but in the 6th spot in the set list not the usual 2nd. U2 ended the show by singing Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela.

U2 360 Philadelphia 7.14.11

I took a cab from my fabulous Hotel Palomar to Lincoln Financial Field around 3. I walked around the stadium and ran into Ayaz, Kim and Abbey – my friends from the Elevation tour. I finally arrived at the spot where U2 was going to drive in. Along the way, I met Christine and Natasha whom I’ve been talking with on Facebook. Christine also lives in Maryland, and Natasha is also a huge Larry fan who is considering moving to Maryland. My old Elevation friends Jenny and Tasha were also there. U2 drove in after 4pm. Bono came out to greet everyone, but the Philly fans got a little too excited and I couldn’t even get near Bono to see him, let alone talk with him. He didn’t stay very long, and I don’t blame him.

the Linc in Philly

you can see the top of Bono's green hat

After sort of seeing Bono, Natasha and I walked back around the stadium and went to the front of the GA line to watch everyone enter. I got to talk with my friend Beth for a little bit and finally met Anthony! I also got to catch up a bit with Cathal, author of Me and U2. We heard the crew sound check Breathe and U2 sound check Magnificent, so it wasn’t a real surprise when they played it. Unfortunately, no Breathe though. Natasha and I went into the stadium after the enter GA line filed in. It was quite a complicated walk down to the inner circle, which was already pretty crowded at 5:30. In fact, Adam’s side was closed.

me, Beth, Anthony

GA line in Philly

the claw in Philly

crowded GA in Philly at 6pm

We went into Edge’s side of the inner circle and stood behind the stage to get our spot to watch U2 enter the stadium and go on stage. Rob, another friend from the Elevation days, joined us – as did Jenny and my new friend Andrew. I met Chris who I’ve been talking with on Twitter. Jenny and I were wearing our ‘Larry Mullen Band’ shirts and Natasha was wearing her ‘It’s All About Drums’ shirt. Dallas said Hello, shook my hand and complimented me on my hat and then said, ‘\”its not about the drums its about the guitar.” When opening band Interpol walked on stage which wasn’t until after 7:45, the drummer noticed our shirts and pointed at us. Then after their set when they were walking off stage, the drummer gave his drumsticks to Jenny and said, “This is for my love of Larry.”

Interpol's drum sticks

There were again issues with venue security moving us away from where U2 walks onto the stage, but we found Rocco and he straightened it out again for us like he did in Anaheim. It’s great that U2 and their crew really care about their fans. I just wish they would communicate better with venue security.

Adam and Larry walk to the stage

The inner circle was especially crowded. People were even in my spot on the back rail behind the stage. It was great to watch the show with my new friend Natasha and my old Elevation friends Jenny, Paola, Gina and Rob. It was the standard set list, except for the replacement of The Fly with the original Magnificent, Hallelujah into Streets (first time I heard it) and Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela – even though it was 4 days away and may have made more sense to sing it at the St. Louis show. At the end of Mysterious Ways, Bono sings, “Young American. Philadelphia.” During Until the End of the World, Bono said, “Bass and Drums!” and then “Love and Peace!” I love it when he says ‘Love and Peace!’ It reminds me of the Vertigo tour. I have a Love and Peace drum pin from the Hard Rock and my Christmas card this year says ‘Peace, Love, Joy.’

Larry I'll Go Crazy

After Magnificent, Bono said, “Wow! That is a great start! Thank you SO much! Philadelphia!” There weren’t really any extensive band introductions. Bono just named everyone and again thanked the fans for their patience while he was recovering from his back surgery. He commented on what a special unity there is between U2 and their fans. He did say they were in the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, to which I booed loudly. I don’t think Bono knows that the team is led by a dog killer. During City of Blinding Lights, Bono sang, “City of brotherly and sisterly blinding lights.” During Walk On, Bono said, “A message of love from the city of brotherly love all the way to Asia.”

Bono and Edge Sunday Bloody Sunday

At the end of the show, we went back to tunnel where U2 would exit. Larry again took off his shirt on the way to his car. On the way out of the stadium, I met Steve who I’ve been talking with on Twitter. It didn’t take too long to get a cab back to the hotel. U2 ended at 11:30, and I was back at my hotel by 12:30. Please watch my video of an overview of the U2 360 show in Philadelphia.

With or Without You

The set list for U2 360 in Philadelphia was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, I Will Follow, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo / It’s Only Rock and Roll, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Life During Wartime / Psycho Killer, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, One, Hallelujah / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender, Happy Birthday.

end of the show in Philly

The day after the U2 show I relaxed in my lovely suite at the Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia before my long 16 hour drive to St. Louis for the U2 360 show on Sunday.

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U2 360 CHICAGO 7.5.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Concerts, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 52 – JULY 4

My friends Tasha and Amy and I spent the 4th of July in Chicago walking up and down Michigan Avenue. We ran into some of our U2 friends, had lunch at the Purple Pig and hung out in Millenium Park before relaxing in our room at the Hotel Monaco. We had thought about going to the White Sox game, but decided against it. We should have gone because we found out later that Larry was there with the U2 360 crew.

Chicago River

Millenium Park fountain

Chicago Tribune Building

me, Amy, Tasha

DAY 53 – JULY 5 – U2 360 #11 – CHICAGO

The U2 360 show in Chicago, which was my 70th U2 show since 1992, was amazing!!!! U2 played Out of Control, which they haven’t played in the US on the 360 tour! I like it so much better than I Will Follow. It has a better energy, much more excited. I had been wanting them to play it all tour. The shock of the night was when U2 closed the show with the spur of the moment addition of One Tree Hill, which they haven’t played in the US since 1987! I love One Tree Hill as it is off my favorite album The Joshua Tree. We met The Edge before the show and saw John Cusack watching the show. A great, great show – my favorite U2 360 show, along with Anaheim2. Soldier Field was the only venue where I saw U2 on two different legs of the 360 tour.

U2 360 Chicago 7.5.11

The day of U2 show in Chicago Tasha and I stayed in the hotel all morning and early afternoon. We had lunch in the hotel restaurant before going to Soldier Field. Since it is 2 miles from our hotel, we took a cab because we didn’t want to pay $46 for parking or get stuck in traffic after. We arrived at the stadium around 2:30 and waited for U2 to arrive. We knew exactly where to wait because we were at Soldier Field in 2009 for the U2 360 opener of the US tour.

U2 in Chicago

Around 5:30, U2 arrived at Soldier Field. I’m not sure who arrived first because we couldn’t see who was in what car, except we did see Edge and Bono drive in. A few minutes later, Edge walked back out to greet the fans. I was surprised because it was a good 5 or 10 minutes after he drove in, plus no one had stopped to greet the fans since Bono did in Oakland almost exactly a month ago. Edge went to the other side of the street to sign autographs, so we didn’t think we would get the chance to meet him, but we did! He came to our side of the street and directly toward us. I had met Edge back on Elevation and gotten his autograph, so I just wanted a picture with him. Tasha asked if we could take a photo with him, but he said no. So we shook his hand – his guitar playing hand! I asked him if Larry was coming out. He said, “I can’t say for sure. I can’t speak for Larry.” I thanked him for coming out to greet us, but Tasha said it was too late and I had already offended him. I don’t think Edge had a sense of humor about it like Bono did in Seattle and Oakland.

meeting The Edge

After meeting The Edge, we went into the stadium, went to the bathroom, got a drink and was inside the inner circle by 6pm or so. I started out on Adam’s side because that’s where Tasha wanted to be, but it was getting too crowded for me where she was standing, so I left when Interpol started. I did not love Interpol, but didn’t hate them either. I would see them 5 more times. They never did grow on me, but they were alright. I went over to Edge’s side of the inner circle because I wanted to watch U2 walk onto the stage, even though there were coming out of the tunnel on Adam’s side. I finally got stable video of all 4 walking in and if I’m not mistaken Larry winked and waved to me. Please watch my video of U2 entering Soldier Field.

here they come

Larry!

During the opener Even Better Than the Real Thing, I made my way back over to Adam’s side of the inner circle. Bono said, “Aw yeah ChiTown in the summer. Where ya gonna take us tonight?” Before The Fly , Bono said, “A whole side of Achtung Baby for you.” But it wasn’t. During The Fly, Bono again screamed “Achtung Y’all!” like in the ZooTv days. During Mysterious Ways, Bono sang a snippet from Trying To Throw Your Arms Around the World. I was really hoping for an all Achtung Baby concert at some point in the tour since it was the 20th anniversary, but that never happened.

After Until the End of the World, instead of I Will Follow, U2 played Out of Control – finally! I had been wanting to hear Out of Control the entire tour. It is such a great song, so much energy, so much better than I Will Follow. I went nuts as soon as it started! Bono mentioned that it was their first single and he had met the love of his life the same time he met Larry, Edge and Adam. After Out of Control, U2 went right into Get On Your Boots. This was an amazing back to back combo of songs full of excitement and energy. It was at this point I knew that the Chicago show was going to be my favorite of the 360 tour – tied with Anaheim2. Please watch my video of Out of Control.

Get on Your Boots

LET ME IN THE SOUND!

After Get on Your Boots, Bono started talking. This is usually the part where he introduces the band, but he talked about them more than actually introduced them. Bono said that Larry and Adam had been in Chicago for the 4th of July, just as Tasha and I were. Bono said, “Larry watched the White Sox win last night.” I knew I should have gone to that White Sox game! Bono introduced I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For saying, “This is a single off The Joshua Tree for Island Records circa 1987.” Then in the middle says that John Cusack is in the house, “Happy Birthday John.” And at the end, dedicated it to Clarence Clemmons by singing a bit of Jungle Land. During Elevation, Bono said, “Take me to the other side. I’m in Larry Mullen’s band.”

I

After Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, we went back to get a spot to watch U2 walk out – we could see their cars waiting for them in the tunnel. We could also see John Cusack watching the show! After With or Without You, Bono said that two days ago was the 25th anniversary of Greg Caroll’s death and they had written a song about it, but they weren’t going to play it. The crowd booed, so Bono said they would discuss it and maybe play it after Moment of Surrender. They played a snippet of One Tree Hill after and then Bono said, “Ok here’s the deal. If we screw up really badly, you can’t put it on the internet. Fair?” Then Edge was trying to figure out how to play it and shouted, “For fuck’s sake!” Luckily for us Edge figured it out and U2 played One Tree Hill for the first time in the US since 1987. It was amazing, especially when the drums and bass kicked in! I went nuts. The Joshua Tree is my favorite album and I didn’t see the Joshua Tree tour because I was only 14, so anything played from it is a gift to me! Please watch my video of One Tree Hill.

a really bad, fuzzy picture of John Cusack

U2 left the stage and made their way toward us. Adam waved to Tasha. Larry just walked by. As they were almost to their cars, Larry and Adam simultaneously took off their shirts and got into their cars! We walked the 2 miles from Soldier Field back to our hotel, and so did a lot of other people – there was actually a pedestrian traffic jam.

there they go

mass exit from Soldier Field

U2 360 in Chicago was such a fantastic show! My favorite of the tour, along with Anaheim2. There was a great energy in Soldier Field and the inner circle was really crowded, even where I stood behind the stage. The set list for the U2 360 show in Chicago was as follows: Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Mysterious Ways / Tryin To Throw Your Arms / Independent Women, Until the End of the World, Out Of Control, Get On Your Boots, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / The Promised Land, Stay – In the Wee Small Hours, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights – My Kind of Town, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Life During Wartime, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On – Battle Hymn of the Republic, One, Will You Love Me Tomorrow / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me / My Kind of Town, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender / One Tree Hill, One Tree Hill.

 

Tasha left, and I spent the next day in my hotel room, which is the best way to spend the day after a U2 show. I had a week before my next U2 360 show in Philadelphia.

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U2 360 NASHVILLE 7.2.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAY 49 – JULY 1

After the U2 show in Miami Wednesday night, I spent Thursday relaxing in my fabulous suite in the fantastic Epic hotel. I left Miami at 6am est Friday morning and should have arrived in Nashville around 7pm cst. But because of horrible traffic around Atlanta, I didn’t make it to Nashville until 9pm. I was in the car 16 hours driving over 925 miles. I was exhausted. Elvis and Cilla were exhausted. By the time I got checked in at the Hotel Indigo, unpacked and walked the dogs, it was after 10pm. I should have known better than to try to make it from Miami to Nashville in one day, especially when that one day was the Friday of 4thof July weekend.

terrible Atlanta traffic

sunset in tennessee

after the sunset

DAY 50 – JULY 2 – U2 360 #10 – NASHVILLE

The U2 360 show in Nashville was fantastic, which was a nice reward for that long trafficy 16 hour drive from Miami the day before. It was the 50th day on my U2 360 across America tour, my 10th show that leg of the tour, my 69th U2 show overall and the 100th show of the entire 360 tour. I had been really looking forward to the Nashville show not only because it was sort of my hometown show (3 hours from Memphis where I lived at the time), but also because U2 hadn’t played in Nashville since 1981. I wasn’t disappointed. There were some great moments at that U2 360 show in Nashville. U2 played The Wanderer for the first time, honoring Johnny Cash. And after Moment of Surrender as U2 was walking off stage, Bono pulled a blind guy up on stage who played guitar while the band came back and played All I Want is You and then Bono gave him his green ‘goal is soul’ guitar.

U2 360 Nashville 7.2.11

My friend Tasha flew in the morning of the U2 show in Nashville. We relaxed in our hotel room in the morning, then had lunch at Blackstone on the way to Vanderbilt Stadium, which was about a 7 block walk. We arrived at the stadium and talked with old U2 friends and met new ones. We immediately discovered where the band was going to enter – we saw the signs for the dressing rooms on the building attached to the stadium. Since it was hot and sunny, we decided to stand in the parking garage to wait for them. We had a great view of where U2 would get out of their cars and enter the building, or if they walked out to sign autographs and take pictures we could run down to meet them.

Vanderbilt University in Nashville

U2 fans old and new gathering in Nashville

the claw in Nashville

'backstage' (photo by Sharon Foster)

After a couple hours, everyone figured out where we were and joined behind us. Edge arrived first, waited in the car a while, and then went into the building. We noticed that Edge’s car had a Shelby County license plate, which is Memphis. Then we saw Willie Williams give Edge’s security guy a Sun Studio tee shirt. Were U2 in Memphis visiting Sun Studio and Graceland without me? Bono arrived next and started to walk toward us, but Brian pulled him back saying they didn’t have time. Adam and Larry arrived at the same time. Adam got out of the car first and went into the building. Larry then got out of his car and smiled and waved to the fans then went into the building. I didn’t get to speak to Larry, but this was the first time this tour I saw him arrive at the stadium and get out of his car and wave to us. Please watch my video of U2 arriving at Vanderbilt stadium in Nashville.

Bono arrives in Nashville (photo by Sharon Foster)

Larry arrives in Nashville (photo by Tasha Hindman)

Hi Larry! (photo by Tasha Hindman)

We easily made it into the inner circle, even though it was a small college stadium. This was the last show Florence and the Machine opened, which was fine with me. I watched the show in Nashville from Adam’s side of the stage because Tasha loves Adam. Also, U2 entered from Adam’s side of the stage, so for only the second time I didn’t watch U2 walk under the stage from Edge’s side.

U2 enter Vanderbilt Stadium

so close yet so far away

During Even Better Than the Real Thing, Bono said, “In a sea of songs, where you going to take us tonight Music City?” Before The Fly, Bono said, “Nashville, Tennessee! With love from Berlin 1991. The Fly,” And then again in the middle shouted “Achtung Y’all!” Bono pulled our friend Dan up on stage during I Will Follow – it was Dan’s birthday. There was a lot of echo during I Will Follow, which I don’t remember before.

Until the End of the World

LET ME IN THE SOUND!

During the band introductions, Bono mentions that U2 hadn’t played Nashville since 1981 and then says his name is Bono and they are a band from Dublin, Ireland. Bono went on to say, “Behind me the man who gave us our first job and made us as a result unemployable for anything else. He’s a handsome man. He’s a thoughtful man. And he’s had that haircut since 1981. Larry Mullen on the drums.” Please watch my video of Bono’s band introductions. Before I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Bono said, “In a city of masters, we’re students. We’ll stay students.” Later in the song, Bono said that their friend Cowboy Jack Clement was in the audience. Clement worked with Sam Phillips at Sun Studio in Memphis and recorded Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others. Clement recorded U2 at Sun Studio for Rattle and Hum. Immediately following Still Haven’t Found, Bono started singing The Wanderer trying to imitate Johnny Cash’s voice. At the end, he said, “forgive us Johnny.” This was the first time The Wanderer had ever been played at a U2 concert. Please watch my video of The Wanderer. I heard the audience cheer for the first time when Bono sang, ‘a shout rings out in the MEMPHIS sky’ during Pride.

Larry I'll Go Crazy

Bono on the bridge

After Moment of Surrender, Edge, Larry and Adam were walking off stage when Bono announced they had a special guest. A guy appeared on stage and played guitar to All I Want is You while the rest of the band joined in. He dedicated the song to his wife and then Bono gave him his green ‘Goal is Soul’ guitar. Security was really annoying and wouldn’t let us stand to watch U2 walk out of the stadium, but we managed anyway. After screaming LARRY a few times, he finally turned to me and smiled and waved. As we were walking out of the stadium, we noticed the fan who was on stage playing All I Want is You was walking out right in front of us. He was blind, and he didn’t have the guitar with him. He said he had a sign saying something like ‘pull a blind man up on stage’ and they were mailing him the guitar. He also said he didn’t realize what was going on. He thought the concert was over and then Bono pulled him up on stage. I later realized he was the same guy who had been emailing me earlier that day looking for a GA ticket. Please watch my video with that fan, Adam, playing All I Want is You with U2.

Larry looking at me because I was standing next to Tasha who was taking the picture (photo by Tasha Hindman)

Tasha behind Adam who played All I Want is You with U2

The U2 360 show in Nashville was a great show! It bumped Baltimore out of the spot for my second favorite show, and may even be better than Seattle – although Larry did shake my hand at the Seattle show. But in Nashville I saw Larry arrive and get out of the car and walk into the building, which I hadn’t seen Larry arrive at any of the previous 9 shows. We got two extra songs in Nashville - the first time playing of The Wanderer in memory of Johnny Cash, whom I love, and All I Want is You was played with a fan on stage who got to keep the guitar. Also I got to hang out with a lot of my friends – Tasha, Chuck, Jennifer, Melissa, and others. I didn’t take many pictures, which is proof I was really into the show. It was hot though – hotter than Baltimore even. Please watch my video of an overview of the U2 360 show in Nashville.

my typical view during 360, but this time from the left

The set list for the Nashville 360 show was as follows: 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 Wanderer, Stay, Beautiful Day / Space Oddity, Elevation, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Psycho Killer / Life During Wartime, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On – You’ll Never Walk Alone, One, Amazing Grace / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender, All I Want Is You.

Streets


DAY 51 – JULY 3

On Sunday, the morning after the U2 show in Nashville, we drove to Hendersonville about a half hour away to visit Johnny Cash’s grave. Tasha and I are both big Johnny Cash fans and had never been to his grave, even though I had lived in Memphis the past 3 years. After Hendersonville, we passed by the Corvette museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky and stopped at Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace in Kentucky before we made our way to Chicago for the U2 show Tuesday.

Johnny Cash gravesite

RIP JR and June

Abe Lincoln was born in Kentucky?

Tim and Beth spotted us on the road to Chicago after the U2 show in Nashville

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U2 360 MIAMI 6.29.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on November 21, 2011 by DeenasDays

DAYS 45 & 46 – JUNE 27 & 28

Days 45 and 46 of my U2 360 tour across America brought me from East Lansing, Michigan to Miami, Florida – 1,426 miles bringing my miles driven over 10,500 miles and still had 8 more shows to go. I left Michigan Monday morning after the U2 show Sunday night, drove through Dayton and Cincinatti, Ohio, drove through the blinding rain in Kentucky, and stayed the night at a Motel 6 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Tuesday morning I left Chattanooga, got stuck in Atlanta traffic, drove through Macon, Georgia, drove through the blinding rain in Florida as U2′s Summer Raincoincidently came on my Ipod, and finally arrived at the lovely Epic Hotel in Miami at 8:00pm. After 2 long days of driving, it was wonderful to relax in such a fabulous hotel!

scary florida sky

The Resort Manager at the Epic heard about my U2 360 tour across America and graciously upgraded me to a fabulous suite with separate living room, bedroom, huge bathroom, and a wrap around balcony with doors off the living room and bedroom. I could have lived there! Because she knew I had a long drive from Michigan and would be arriving late, the manager had a cheese plate and chilled white wine waiting for me – and this amazing chocolate U2 guitar! There were also framed pictures of my Elvis and Cilla and U2. Please watch my video of my drive from Michigan to Miami and my tour of my fabulous suite at the Epic hotel in Miami.

Epic hotel welcomes Elvis & Cilla

view from the balcony of my fabulous suite at the fantastic epic hotel in miami

my yummy chocolate U2 guitar

Because this suite was so fabulously relaxing, I decided to stay the day after the U2 show and drive to Nashville on Friday (all in one day) for the U2 show on Saturday. I would learn to regret that decision because I didn’t realize it was the Friday of the 4thof July holiday weekend and traffic was horrible, especially through Atanta. But at the time I just wanted to stay in one place for more than a day – and it was such a fabulous hotel.

Cilla and Elvis loved our suite

DAY 47 – JUNE 29 – U2 360 #9 – MIAMI

The U2 360 show in Miami was great! It was the same set list as East Lansing except U2 played North Star for the first time in the US. I had a great Larry moment during I’ll Go Crazy. It was hot in Miami, but not as hot as it was in Baltimore.

U2 360 in Miami

I spent the first half of the day relaxing in my fabulous suite at the wonderful Epic hotel. I left the hotel at 2:00 and was parked at Sun Life Stadium about 10 miles away by 3pm. Luckily I didn’t have to walk too far to find out where everyone was waiting for U2 to arrive. Around 5:30 U2 finally arrived, but again did not stop. I guess since they stopped and greeted the fans the first 4 shows I went to, I just assumed they would stop every time. I guess I shouldn’t have taken it for granted when I spoke with Bono in Seattle and Oakland.

welcome to Sun Life Stadium

U2 360 Miami 6.29.11

Sun Life Stadium

There was still a GA line at when I was ready to go in at 6pm, so I had to wait in line. I got into the inner circle with my Happy Birthday re-entry stamp. I stayed on Edge’s side of the inner circle so I could watch U2 enter under the stage. While waiting, I hung out with Rick, as I do most shows, and Dave and his son Joshua (yes named after The Joshua Tree). I met Patty whom I had been chatting with on Twitter. I would see Patty again in Pittsburgh and then we would chat a lot more after the tour, after I realized she loved Larry too. The inner circle was pretty full by 7pm. Florence and the Machine didn’t start until 7:45. Florence ran into the stadium in her bare feet with her arms spread out as if she was flying down the walkway out of the tunnel and onto the stage.

the claw in Miami

my Happy Birthday inner circle re-entry stamp

U2 didn’t come on until 9:15. During Even Better Than the Real Thing, Bono shouted, “Miami! My Mammy!” just like Popmart. Bono again shouted ‘Achtung Y’all!’ during The Fly and introduced it circa 1991. It has taken me 20 years, but The Fly has become one of my favorite songs. During the band introductions, Bono talked about the many stadiums of Miami: Joe Robbie, Pro Player, Sun Life. He said they had played them all. I’m not if he realized they were all the same stadiums – just different names over the years. Bono went on to say that U2 had played some of their best shows in Miami and had opened ZooTv there, but he didn’t mention opening and closing the Elevation tour in Miami. Bono talked about how Irish people can’t dance. He said, “Larry Mullen he doesn’t even try to dance.” U2 debuted North Star in the US, in the place where Stay or Stuck in a Moment is usually played. After, Bono said maybe they should have rehearsed it a little. I thought it sounded fine. Please watch my video of the first US performance of North Star.

LET ME IN THE SOUND!

Larry and Sammy I'll Go Crazy

During I’ll Go Crazy Larry looked at me, smiled and mouthed something to me. I’m not sure what it was, maybe ‘Hi’ or ‘Thanks’, but we locked eyes for a few moments. At the end of I’ll Go Crazy, Bono again said, “Miami. My Mammy.” U2 exited on Adam’s side, even though they had entered on Edge’s side, but Larry did look in my direction as he came down the stairs from the stage. The Miami audience as a whole was enthusiastic and loud, but the folks around me in the inner circle didn’t seem too excited. It took me over 2 hours to get out of the parking lot at Sun Life Stadium, so I didn’t get back to the hotel until almost 2am. Luckily I was staying put the next day, rather than starting my trip to Nashville. Please watch my video overview of the U2 360 show in Miami.

yay Edge

i think Larry is looking at me

The set list for the U2 360 show in Miami was as follows: 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), Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On, 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.

my usual view of 360

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U2 360 SALT LAKE CITY 5.24.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Concerts, Larry Mullen, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on September 6, 2011 by DeenasDays

Day 10 – May 23

We left Denver at 9:20am and spent most of our day driving through Wyoming. First we stopped in the smallest town in the US, Buford – population 1. We met the one guy who lives there and runs the store and gas station. He’s been featured on many tv news shows. Then we had lunch at Perkins in Laramie because Mom and Aunt Pauline can’t grab something and eat in the car. After lunch, we hit some pretty serious hail before coming upon the beautiful mountains outside of Salt Lake City. We arrived at our hotel Homestead Suites at 7:20pm and had dinner at the Olive Garden because it was the only restaurant close by. Ten hours is a long day driving, and we didn’t feel like searching for somewhere to eat.

Buford, WY

Please watch my video of Day 10 on the road from Denver to Salt Lake City

Day 11 – May 24 – U2 360 #2 Salt Lake City

My mom and Aunt Pauline really wanted to see the canyons of Salt Lake City. All I was concerned about was the U2 show that night. We drove past Rice Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah where the show was going to be that night – it was only a few miles from the hotel. It seemed as if we drove around forever searching for canyons to see. We thought we had directions, but we I guess we were wrong. We finally stumbled upon Emigration Canyon and had lunch at Ruth’s Diner, which had been there since 1930. It was a great place and and the best macaroni and cheese I think I ever had, although my stomach didn’t really agree.

Ruth's Diner in Emigration Canyon in SLC

Mom and Aunt Pauline stayed at the hotel and relaxed and did their laundry while I went to the U2 show. I left at 3pm, drove a few miles and realized I didn’t have my ticket. I had to turn around and go back and get it. This was one of only three times that I drove to a U2 show out of the the 16 shows this leg. Something happened at this U2 show that has never happened to me before – free parking! The University of Utah had free parking for the U2 concert. I couldn’t believe. Of course I had to walk about 20 minutes through campus to get to Rice Eccles Stadium. It was just about 4pm when I happened upon the GA line. I started to talk to people, so I decided to just stay in the line. This was the only time this leg of the tour that I got in the GA line and did not wait for U2 to arrive. I met Jason, who I had been talking with on Twitter. We met up at a few more shows along the tour, like Nashville and Minneapolis. Once inside, I went to Adam’s side of the inner circle, but by 7pm it was so crowded I couldn’t even get into my pocket to take out my camera. I decided to move. I walked around the stadium while The Fray played. I went into the stands to get a drink. I ran into Mike again and my old Elevation friends Matt and Melissa. I went over to Edge’s side of the inner circle to watch U2 walk in and then went back over to Adam’s side to watch the show. During Walk On, I went to soundboard and watched the rest of the show from there. This is was the only show I didn’t watch U2 leave the stage from the back. I didn’t get any Larry love in Salt Lake City – no smiles, nods or waves.

U2 360 Salt Lake City 5.24.11

the long walk to the stadium

the only time i stood in the ga line - got in at 4pm

very crowded inner circle in SLC

beautiful salt lake city mountains behind the 360 stage

This was a good show, but the audience still wasn’t that into it  – not like I remember from 2009. Maybe people are just more mellow in Denver and Salt Lake City. U2 entered and it was still light out – first time I have experienced this. It was very cool. During the opener Even Better Than the Real Thing, Bono says ‘beautiful Utah!’ Bono says, ‘Bass and Drums!’ during Until the End of the World as he did at a few shows – this really excites me! Bono really didn’t do band introductions, he just talked about how a lot had changed since 2009 with Adam becoming a father and Larry acting in a movie. Then goes on to make fun of Larry saying he is going to star in a Billy Idol biopic this summer – after Billy cleaned up. Larry really thought this was funny and cracked up. I really miss I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. I like All I Want is You and was excited to hear it in Denver because I hadn’t heard it in a while, but it is no replacement for Still Haven’t Found. All I Want is You is a love song, not an uplifting song like Still Haven’t Found – just not a good trade. The highlight of this show by far was Love Rescue Me, even if it was only a few lines. I cried, but luckily I had the presence of mind to video it. Love Rescue Me is my second favorite songs from my second favorite album Rattle and Hum, and I had never heard it before. It was Bob Dylan’s birthday, which is why they played it and after we sang Happy Birthday to Bob Dylan. Bono again brought up the ‘three sisters’ to read the peom before Beautiful Day. He commented how they have been on the road with U2 seeing 10 shows. Big deal! I have seen 59 U2 shows in the past 19 years and was on the road for 2 ½ months to see 16 more with U2. It’s fine, I got my recognition later. During I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight, Bono says ‘Salt Lake City on a Tuesday night I know where we can take this,’ and snippets Discotheque and Mofo (instead of Please). Bono introduced the band after Moment of Surrender just before they left the stage.

Adam in the daylight

Until the End of the World

Larry looking at me? haha

the Claw in SLC

The set list for U2 360 in Salt Lake City on May 24, 2011 was as follows: Even Better Than the Real Thing, I Will Follow, Get on Your Boots, Magnificent remix, Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Until the End of the World, All I Want is You / Love Rescue Me / Happy Birthday, Stay, Beautiful Day / Here Comes the Sun, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy / Discotheque / Mofo, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On / You’ll Never Walk Alone, One, Blowin in the Wind / The Times They Are a Changin / Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender.

Please watch my video of  the U2 360 show in Salt Lake City

Please click here to see all of my pictures from the U2 360 show in Salt Lake City

Day 12 – May 25

The day after the U2 show in Salt Lake City, we toured around Temple Square. We parked at the Joseph Smith Building, which reminded me a lot of The Peabody in Memphis. Joseph Smith started the Mormon church. Right next to the Joseph Smith building was the Brigham Young statue. Brigham Young brought the Mormon church to Salt Lake City after Joseph Smith was killed. We went through the south visitor center where I learned all of this. There was a model of the Temple, since we weren’t allowed inside the actual Temple. We went to Assembly Hall, which is a small church. We saw the Christest statue in the north visitor center. We attended the Tabernacle Organ Recital, which was really beautiful. We went on top of the building where there was a huge garden that overlooked the city and even had a waterfall down the front of the building. Then we went back to the Joseph Smith building and had lunch at the Garden Café on the 10thfloor. It was nice to see all the sights at Temple Square in Salt Lake city, but it wasn’t anything too exciting. But Salt Lake City had some of the most beautiful views – everywhere you looked snowcapped mountains. Simply beautiful! After our tiring day, we just went back to our hotel and relaxed after getting some groceries at Whole Foods. I got pizza to try to start up my pizza in every city quest.

Brigham Young statue

beautiful view from the rooftop garden

The Temple

Please watch my video of Day 12 in Temple Square

Please click here to see all my pictures from Salt Lake City

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U2 360 Denver 5.21.11

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2011), Bono, Concerts, Larry Mullen, U2 with tags , , , , , , , on May 22, 2011 by DeenasDays

U2 360 in Denver was a fantastic show – a great way to open this US leg of the 360 tour. It was a great set list that included Pride, All I Want is You, Stay, Zooropa, Scarlet, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me and Even Better Than the Real Thing. It was the first time I had heard Zooropa and Scarlet, and it has been a while since I’ve heard All I Want is You, Even Better Than the Real Thing and Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me. I was very disappointed U2 didn’t play my favorite I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, but they did play Pride. And judging from my reaction when it started, Pride is going back into my top 5 U2 songs. It was a great set list and the band seemed really into the show, but the audience wasn’t overly enthusiastic – especially for opening night. Maybe Denver is just more mellow than the East Coast shows I’m used to.

After a good night’s sleep, I woke up Saturday morning to find the GA line had moved to outside of my window of my hotel room. Elvis, Cilla and I hung out in the GA line for a while. It was quite warm because it was sunny with no shade on the cement parking lot. I saw a bunch of my friends from the Elevation tour and a lot of new ones I’ve made this year on Twitter and Facebook.

U2 GA line in Denver 5.21.11

After a short nap, I went back over to Invesco Field around 4 and waited for the band to arrive. Bono and Edge arrived after 5:30. They both got out and signed for the fans. Then Larry and Adam drove by, but did not stop – they didn’t even roll down the window or wave. I casually walked in the GA entrance after 6pm – no line, no stress. I went to Adam’s side inside the circle. I ran into my friend Mike, my oldest U2 friend – we used to go to all the U2 shows together on ZooTv and Popmart and spend hours and hours watching U2 footage. Mike and I decided to go over to Edge’s side. It was a good opportunity for me, since I wasn’t with Tasha (big Adam fan). Edge’s side was more crowded, so we were actually a little bit behind the stage on the side. But I didn’t mind because I was going to go behind the stage a lot anyway to watch Larry – and when Bono and Edge went back there.

my initial view

I went went behind the stage to wait for U2 to arrive and watch them walk in. It was great. They don’t go up the stairs to the stage, they go under the stage, which makes them even closer to the fans standing there watching. I called out to Larry (of course I’m wearing my Larry Mullen Band shirt), and he looked into my eyes, nodded and smiled at me before going under the stage.

Larry enters

Bono enters

Bono talked quite a bit during this show, which is why it lasted over it’s normal 2 hours. He talked about how the tour was postponed last year because one year ago on May 21st he had back surgery. Bono talked about the supposed ‘end of the world’ on May 21st during ‘Until the End of the World.’  He thanked the U2 crew and even brought out Dallas to take a bow.

Bono

Larry and his drums rotated around on 3 songs this time, as opposed to the 2 times he turned around on 360 in 2009. He turned around and faced the back of the stage during Mysterious Ways, All I Want is You, and Sunday Bloody Sunday.  Of course I went behind the stage each time. As I did when Larry started back for I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight. He again saw me and smile and nodded.

Larry during I’ll Go Crazy

Larry facing the back during Sunday Bloody Sunday

I went back behind the stage during Moment of Surrender to watch U2 leave. I called out to Larry as he was walking away, and he turned and smiled at me.

Thank you Denver

Good night Denver

It's All About Drums

U2 360 in Denver was a great show. A great set list, but I thought the audience could have been more enthusiastic.  It was a very relaxed show for me because I didn’t wait in line all day and didn’t have to stay in a certain spot once inside the stadium. I’m glad I got to see the show from Edge’s side for once, but there was a lot of smoke because the smoke machine was on that side. I’m going back to Adam’s side for Salt Lake City. It was great to actually be on the field where my Denver Broncos play – that made the U2 show even more special for me. I have been a Broncos fan as long as I have been a U2 fan – over 24 years.

U2 play Mile High

The set list for U2 360 in Denver 5.21.11 was as follows:  Even Better Than the Real Thing, I Will Follow, Get on Your Boots, Magnificent (remix), Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Until the End of the World, All I Want is You, Stay, Beautiful Day / Here Comes the Sun, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight (with Discotheque and Please snipets), Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On / You’ll Never Walk Alone, One / Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender.

For all 50 of the pictures I took at U2 360 in Denver please click here http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150200635894168.325376.734599167&l=f1c7380cb8

Please enjoy the following videos I took during the U2 360 Denver show:

U2 entering Invesco Field http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYCE300aBas

Bono and Larry singing Let Me in the Sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9cXOvUXuys

The return of Pride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeFRHMQqwrw

Overview of the U2 360 show in Denver  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhYsNo9osSY

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360 2009 recap

Posted in 'On the Road with U2', 360 (2009), Bono, Concerts, Larry Mullen, Tours, U2 with tags , , , , , , , , on March 23, 2011 by DeenasDays

Reflecting on the U2 360 2009 Tour a year and a half later, I still like the Las Vegas show the best and DC, Oklahoma, Chicago1 are close seconds. The other 4 are probably in the order of Raleigh, Charlottesville, Chicago2, then Atlanta being my least favorite. For me how I rank a U2 show is more than just how the actual U2 concert was, although that’s a big part of it. It’s about who I saw the show with, what city we’re in, where in the concert we’re standing and unfortunately what happened that day leading up to the show. And if I’m going to be completely honest, what sort of Larry moment I had.

The Las Vegas show was my favorite because it was a great U2 show, I saw it with Tasha, and it was in my second favorite city Las Vegas. It was a great set list that included ‘Viva Las Vegas’ as well as a snippet of ‘In God’s Country.’ During the band introductions, Bono said Larry was the ‘Elvis of U2.’ Those 2 Elvis moments really made the show for me. Another great moment was when Larry smiled and waved to me at the beginning of ‘I’ll Go Crazy.’ The Vegas show was also great because the whole day was relaxed, hanging out with everyone outside before the show and having the freedom to move around wherever I wanted during the show.

The DC, Oklahoma and Chicago1 shows were tied for 2nd for very different reasons. I loved the DC show even though it had my least favorite set list because U2 did not play ‘No Line on the Horizon’ and didn’t replace it with anything. Even though I went alone, the DC show had a great energy from both the audience and the band. This was my hometown show plus it was my first time at the front rail on this tour, and the most centered I ever was. And I did have my Larry moment when he smiled at me from the drumkit while I was jumping up and down in my Larry Mullen Band shirt. And I didn’t imagine it either because someone came up to me after and told me she saw Larry smile at me. Oklahoma was great because, besides being Tasha’s birthday show, it was the first time I was really relaxed and moved around the concert. The first time I went back behind the stage to watch Larry and have room all to myself – not worrying about ‘my space.’ Larry smiled and waved at me at the beginning of ‘I’ll Go Crazy.’ Chicago1 was amazing because it was my first show of the tour, I saw it with Tasha, and it had the best set list of the tour. I heard ‘Unforgettable Fire’ for the first time and ‘Pride’ and ‘Bad,’ two of my all-time favorite songs, were played for the only time of the 8 shows I saw. Chicago1 was very stressful though and very exhausting because we waited in the GA line all day in the hot sun and then had people all around us smushed up against us during the concert.

The Raleigh show was good because it was my birthday show (a day early), I saw it with Vicki and Tasha, and I heard ‘In a Little While’ (my favorite song off All That You Can’t Leave Behind) for the first time since the Elevation Tour. We also go to hear the sound check and had the perfect spot on the catwalk where Larry, Adam and Edge each stopped in front of us during ‘I’ll Go Crazy.’ The Charlottesville show was good because I saw it with Tasha, we stood at the front rail on the side of the stage, Bono sang a verse of ‘Unforgettable Fire’ to us, and I could really hear Larry’s ‘HEY HEY HEYs’ during ‘Boots’ because the vocals were SO loud. At the time, I did not appreciate the Charlottesville show because of all the horrible traffic we encountered getting to the show. The Chicago2 show was good because I saw it with Tasha and Mike (and Mike is my original U2 friend from 1987), ‘Your Blue Room’ was played for the first time ever, and it was a very relaxed show. The Atlanta show probably would have been better if I wasn’t sick and alone. I had a great spot at the front rail in front of Adam and Larry gave me a nod from the drumkit during ‘Beautiful Day’ even without my Larry Mullen Band tee. For the first time in my life, and I hope the only time, I left a U2 show early. I left during ‘One’ because I was so sick, but at least I got to see a little of the show from across the stadium for the first time.

A great thing about 360 2009 was that I got to see U2 in cities I had never seen them in before and obviously visit cities I’ve never been to. My whole life I had wanted to visit Chicago and go to Wrigley Field. Because of U2, I got to do that and now I love Chicago! I had always wanted to visit Atlanta as well and got to do that. Although I’m not a huge fan of Atlanta, but I am glad I got to visit the Martin Luther King sites. I had never really wanted to go to Oklahoma, but it was cool to see it. And I had been to Las Vegas twice before, so any excuse to go to Vegas. I love Vegas! 360 2009 was also great because I got to see and hang out with a lot of friends that I hadn’t really seen since the Elevation Tour, because I wasn’t really into the Vertigo Tour.

U2 360 tour program

Please check out all of my U2 360 2009 Tour Pics on the right of my homepage.

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