My favorite U2 concert that begins with ‘D’ is Denver 360 on May 21, 2011. This show is not one of my favorite U2 shows ever, but it is certainly my favorite ‘D’ concert and had some notable moments for sure. Denver is where U2 opened its last leg of the 360 Tour, so that in itself is special. The fact the concert took place in Denver was special to me because I am a huge Broncos fan. Just standing on the field where my beloved Broncos play was exciting – before any music was even played. I heard “Zooropa” and “Scarlet” for the first time. This show in Denver was the only time my dogs Elvis and Cilla made an appearance in the GA line, each wearing their own laminate. And this Denver 360 show took place on the date of the supposed end of the world.

I woke up at 8 the morning of the show and looked out my hotel window to see the GA line. I walked Elvis and Cilla over to the GA line to hang out for a bit. I took them back to the hotel and then went back over to the stadium around 4 to wait for U2 to arrive. As I walked up the hill, the wind almost blew my hat off. It got really cold, so I bought a U2 hoodie – still a staple in my wardrobe. Bono and Edge arrived after 5:30. They stopped and signed, but there were too many people for me to get close to them. Besides, I saw a car waiting down the drive, and I knew it was Larry. It was in fact him, but he didn’t stop or even roll down the window and wave – this was to be my fate for the next 15 shows. I walked in the GA entrance after 6 – no line, no stress. I was heading over to Adam’s side of the inner circle as was my habit in ’09, but I saw my oldest U2 friend from high school Mike, and we decided to go over to Edge’s side. It was great to be at Invesco Field at Mile High where my Denver Broncos play football. Local band The Fray opened, but I didn’t really care for them.

I went behind the stage to wait for U2 to walk in, as I would do for all the shows. In 2009, U2 walked up the stairs to the stage, but now they walked beside the stairs on Edge’s side and underneath the stage. So I was very close to them as they walked by. I yelled for Larry, as I would do for all the shows, and he looked at me, smiled and nodded. I almost cried. Little did I know what more was to come in the next 2 1/2 months. During the opener “Even Better Than the Real Thing,” Bono said, ‘One Mile,’ for the Mile High city of Denver. I love the beginning of this song and the show with Larry banging those drums! U2 tried a remix of “Magnificent” with samples of Bishop Tutu and what sounds like a gospel choir. Bono says, ‘it’s in development.’ During “Mysterious Ways,” Larry and his drum kit turned around and faced the back and Bono said, ‘Mile High Colorado.’ I like this song so much better live, especially with the ‘Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!’ at the beginning. Before “Until the End of the World,” Bono said, “such a disappointment” referring to that night May 21, 2011 was supposed to be the end of the world. Bono said he would be alright as long as Larry Mullen, Adam Clayton and the Edge were with him. Me too Bono, me too.

During the band introductions, Bono said, “Part terminator, part Duracell bunny. On the drums, Larry Mullen Jr!” Before “Beautiful Day,” Bono brought up three sisters wearing ‘Larry Mullen Band’ shirts and they read a poem. This sort of bugged me because I know those girls didn’t have those shirts 10 years ago when Paola made ours. At the end of the poem, Bono said, “I’m in the Larry Mullen Band.” At the end of “Beautiful Day,” Bono said,’Rocky Mountain! Colorado!’ and then sang a bit of “Here Comes the Sun.” During “Zooropa” and “City of Blinding Lights,” U2 wore black jackets, except Adam’s was white, that lit up. It was really cool and Larry looked hot in his black leather jacket, like he was right out of the 1950s. As if he needs to look any hotter?! After the shock wore off from being so close to Larry after he smiled and nodded at me during the beginning of “I’ll Go Crazy” and he was out of my reach, I was very excited to hear snippets of “Discoteque” and “Please.” During “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” Larry and his drum kit again turned to face the back and Bono said, ‘Where’s Red Rocks? Right here.’ Before “Moment of Surrender,” Bono introduced Dallas and made him take a bow.

It was a great show, but I was surprised the audience wasn’t that into it. I thought they would be crazy since it was the first show in the U.S., and I thought Broncos fans were loud – maybe Broncos fans aren’t U2 fans. Tim Tebow was at the show. I didn’t see him, but Bono said he was ‘in the house.’ It was nice to be able to move around rather than being stuck to one spot as I had been in 2009 and past tours. And surprisingly, Bono and Edge came behind the stage quite a bit. It was a great set list, except my favorite song “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” was left out. But I was SO excited to hear “Pride” back in the set list.

The set list for the first show in the US on the last leg of the 360 tour was 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 / Discotheque / Please, 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.

This is part of my Blogging from A to Z Challenge about ‘My U2 Concerts A to Z.’ Thanks for stopping by. Please come back tomorrow as I write about my favorite ‘E’ U2 show.