The second show in Chicago was better than the first, even without my favorite “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” I have a feeling each show is going to be better than the last, making Chicago5 next week an epic show! The day started off great when I met Larry! Then I stood just a few feet away from Larry as he was banging those drums so hard during “Volcano!” Chicago2 included the tour debut of No Line On The Horizon, “Bad,” “Out of Control” and an unforgettable performance of “One.”

I woke up on my third day in Chicago exhausted, but still wanted to head down to the United Center in case Larry would come out to greet the fans. We left just a half hour later. Sharon and Melissa met me at my hotel at 1, and we again took a cab to the United Center. There were less people there waiting than the day before, and the security staff was much nicer. When we arrived our friend Autumn was up front at the barricade on the end, so we stood behind and next to her. Just before 2:30 Edge drove in, but didn’t stop – it was ok since he stopped the day before. Within 15 minutes, Adam arrived. He signed for everyone waiting, including Sharon and Autumn! It was so great. Adam signed her Clayton shirt and her son’s report card. A few minutes later Bono arrived. He was still sick and just whispering to save his voice. I pulled my friend Joy (who was on stage the night before) up next to me, so she could speak with Bono. Bono’s eyes lit up when he saw her and he knelt down in front of her and kissed her hand, and then apologized saying he shouldn’t have done that because he was sick. Just a few minutes later Larry arrived, and his car stopped right in front of us. He came to me and I put out my hand and thanked him for giving me his drumsticks in Denver. He had a big smile on his face, his eyebrows raised and replied, “OH you’re very welcome!” I gripped his hand so hard and wouldn’t let go (sort of embarrassing). I forgot to ask for a picture with him, but he wasn’t taking pictures anyway. After I happened to smell my hang and it smelled like Larry’s cologne – so yummy!

After our wonderful encounters, we got in the GA line at 3:15pm. It was Sharon’s and Autumn’s first GA show ever (Autumn was close to the front of the line since she had already been in line). It was my first time lining up in the GA line since 360 in 2009. I was glad to experience Sharon’s first GA show with her, but I don’t think I will be lining up again. Although it was nice just to sit down and rest rather than walk around like we did the day before. We stood at the e stage. Sharon and Autumn were at the rail just to the left of where Larry’s drumkit would be. I stood behind them and since they are much shorter than me, it was like I had rail too.

U2 took the stage, and I noticed was wearing his red shirt. I had not yet seen him in his red shirt. It wasn’t as pretty as his blue shirt and not as unbuttoned as his grey checkered from the night before. U2 played “Out of Control,” which I love so much better than “I Will Follow” and even better than “Electric Co.” Just as I commented there were no band introductions during the first songs, Bono started after “I Will Follow.” It was similar to the band intros on 360. It is really difficult to see the main stage when standing at the e stage. I had a better view of the main stage when I stand at the runway.

Unfortunately, some woman who pretended to be friendly with me squeezed her way in, trying to get in front of me. She was pushy and annoying, and I wasn’t giving an inch. I just wanted to be on the rail as close to Larry as possible during those four songs on the e stage. I won out in the end, and got to be SO close to hear Larry bang those drums during “Volcano,” and how did he bang them! WOW! It’s great to be that close to actually hear the drums, not through the speakers, but to hear them right in front of me. And Larry seems to play the drums much more passionately on the new songs. “Volcano” was even better than it was in Denver.

After the e stage set, I moved back. I was going to try to go up front, but it was much more crowded than the shows in Denver or Vancouver. I decided to cross over to the North Side and stood in the back for the rest of the show. It was less crowded over there. I had a blast just having tons of room to take it all in and enjoy myself. I absolutely love “Pride” on the big screen in black and white, just reminds me SO much of Rattle and Hum and I’m transported back to a 16 year old girl watching it in the theater. Back in 2015, Bono cries out, “We need Dr. King!” After “Beautiful Day,” Bono starts singing a verse from “Moment of Surrender.” Finally a song from No Line on the Horizon! I was SO excited. Hopefully there will be more songs from NLOTH as the tour progresses. The verse of “Moment of Surrender” let right into “Bad.” The arena erupted! It was SO loud! Bono ended “Bad” with another snipped from “Moment of Surrender.” After “Where the Streets Have No Name,” The band just paused and listened to the love and applause from the crowd. Then went into “One,” which the audience sang most of the song with the house lights up. It was truly an unforgettable version of “One,” and I’ve heard one at 78 of the 81 U2 shows I’ve attended. U2 exited from the main stage. Wow! What a show!

Click here to see all my pictures from Chicago2.

After the show, we learned the band left before we even got out of the arena. We again walked about a mile up Madison to the Crowne Plaza hotel and got a cab back to our hotels. I got to sleep much earlier than the previous night. Now it is two days off before the next set of shows Sunday and Monday, but we have two fan MeetUps tonight at Pippins and Saturday at Hard Rock.

The complete set list from u2gigs.com :

Setlist:

1. The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
2. Out Of Control
3. Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio? (snippet) / Vertigo
4. I Will Follow
5. Iris (Hold Me Close)
6. Cedarwood Road
7. Song For Someone
8. Sunday Bloody Sunday / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)
9. Raised By Wolves / Psalm 23 (snippet)
10. Until The End Of The World / Love And Peace Or Else (snippet)

(Intermission)

1. Invisible
2. Even Better Than The Real Thing
3. Mysterious Ways / Young Americans (snippet)
4. Angel Of Harlem
5. Volcano
6. Also Sprach Zarathustra (snippet) / Every Breaking Wave
7. Bullet The Blue Sky
8. The Hands That Built America (snippet) / Pride (In The Name Of Love)
9. Beautiful Day / Moment Of Surrender (snippet)
10. Bad / Into The Mystic (snippet) / Moment Of Surrender (snippet)
11. With Or Without You

encore(s):

1. City Of Blinding Lights
2. Mother And Child Reunion (snippet) / Where The Streets Have No Name / California (There Is No End To Love) (snippet)
3. One / Invisible (snippet)