Please stay with me on this one as there are no U2 concerts I have attended that were in an X city or at an X venue. So instead of reviewing my favorite ‘X‘ U2 concert (since one does not exist), I am going to describe the X-Factor of a U2 show. That is, what makes a U2 concert so special? What is it about a U2 show that compels us to travel hundreds and thousands of miles to see virtually the same concert over and over?

I get asked that second question a lot. What I tell people is that a U2 show it is more than just the songs in the concert. Because yes for the most part, U2 does play the same songs at each concert during the tour. But if they are your favorite songs and you have an addictive personality like me, then you yearn to hear those songs over and over again. It is the feeling you get when you hear those songs. Whether they lift you up or remind you of a special time in your life, either way the feeling you get when you hear U2 songs is euphoric. But a U2 concert is more than just those euphoric songs that are played. It is 80,000 people singing those songs. The fact that each person at that show is feeling the exact same excitement you are. It is a sense of community and belonging.

More than just the U2 concert itself, it is the whole experience. The traveling and hanging out with fellow U2 fans. Who doesn’t like to take a few days off from their regular life to go on a road trip or plane ride to one of their favorite cities? While there, either before or after the U2 concert, it’s a great chance to see some of the sights that city has to offer. The day of the U2 concert is a great time for U2 fellowship since we arrive at the stadium in the early afternoon either to line up in the GA (general admission) line or to wait for the band to arrive. With hours to kill before the concert begins, U2 fans share their U2 experiences, such as favorite songs, albums and concerts.

If you have not experienced a U2 concert in its full splendor, then you probably can’t quite grasp what I am describing. As I write this, I don’t feel I am doing it justice or am truly capturing the U2 concert X factor. I think it is one of those things that you need to experience for yourself to really understand. So on the next U2 tour, venture out to a show. Arrive early (like at least 3pm, but noon would be better) and join the conversation with U2 fans. While the concert is going on, take a minute to look around at everyone and listen to the audience not just the band. Hopefully you will then know what the U2 concert X factor is all about.

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 ‘Y’ U2 show.