I was right each Chicago show is better than the last! Last night’s third ie show in Chicago, my 82nd overall, was magnificent! U2 played “Gloria,” Lucifer’s Hands,” “All I want is You,” and Bono sang the “I Did” in response to “Did you come here to play Jesus?” on “One,” which I’ve been waiting since ZooTv to hear again!

I went to the United Center around 1pm to wait for U2 to arrive. It was already pretty crowded with folks who had been waiting since before 9am (for band arrival at 3pm). Since there was no way I could get up to the front to actually talk with the guys should they stop, I decided to go back in the shade under a tree by the fence where I could see the guys get in and out of the cars. Edge arrived first, but did not stop. A while later Bono arrived and spent about an hour outside talking with everyone and signing autographs. While he was still there, Adam arrived and quickly went down the line and left. Bono was still outside with everyone when Larry arrived, but Larry did not stop.

After Anisha and I went to the ride.org line and waited for our early entrance into the arena. We heard some of the sound check as they had the door opened. We freaked out when we heard “Gloria!” They let us in at 5pm, but our credit card wouldn’t swipe. There was about 10-15 of us this happened to, so we had to go to will call. Even though I was sort of freaking out, it was cool to finally have a real ticket. While waiting we heard U2 sound check “Lucifer’s Hands!” We were able to go to the merch table and concessions. I finally got the Chicago shirt with all five dates. They let us onto the floor at the same time, or a few minutes after, the GA line. We are friends Todd, David and Jeff on the e stage so we stood behind them. They were so kind to let us up on the rail during parts of the show. This was especially great for Anisha, since it was her first ie show.

Second song into the show, U2 busted out “Gloria!” It was fantastic! During the Johnny Cash “Wanderer” ‘intermission,’ Todd selflessly let me have his spot on the rail – right on the corner of the e stage and the runway on the south side. I am SO thankful! I had a great view of this epic e stage set, plus I got a little Bono and Larry love! As soon as Larry went behind his drums, he saw me and gave me the famous Larry nod and half smile. During “Desire,” Bono brought up a guitar player and singer, who were great. Larry was laughing hysterically at Bono’s reactions and Larry was even singing along- brilliant! While introducing “Lucifer’s Hands,” we screamed and Bono looked over to us as if he was surprised we knew the song – he said “impressive.” When Larry left the e stage, he was carrying his drumsticks but not looking at me. I watched as he walked the runway to the main stage and he was looking for someone and gave the sticks to them. I’m pretty sure it was the little boy we met earlier who had a sign saying it was his first show and he was a drummer because of ‘mr. larry.’ After the e stage set, I moved back and hung out with my friend Chuck for the rest of the show. Plenty of room just to take everything in. Bono said something like “Larry is luck to know me” at the end of “City of Blinding Lights.” We were excited and surprised to hear “All I Want is You” and another great crowd-singing version of “One.” Actually I went nuts when Bono sang “I DID!” after “did you come here to play Jesus?” That’s the way he used to sing it during ZooTv, and I’ve been waiting YEARS to hear that again. In fact, every time I sing it that way. John Carter Cash was at the show.

Like the past two shows, we walked about a mile or so down Madison and took a cab from the Crowne Plaza hotel to our hotels. I was back in my room before midnight and asleep before 2am. For the first time ever, I didn’t take one photo during the show. Luckily a friends took a few pictures. Click here to see the photos from Chicago3, including Bono’s and Adam’s arrival.

Here the complete set list for Chicago3 6.28.15 from u2gigs.com:

Setlist:

1. The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
2. Gloria / Van Morrison’s Gloria (snippet)
3. 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 / She’s A Rainbow (snippet) / A Clockwork Orange (snippet)

(Intermission)

1. Invisible
2. Even Better Than The Real Thing
3. Mysterious Ways / Young Americans (snippet)
4. Desire / La Bamba (snippet) / Julia (snippet)
5. Lucifer’s Hands
6. Every Breaking Wave
7. Bullet The Blue Sky / 19 (snippet)
8. The Hands That Built America (snippet) / Pride (In The Name Of Love)
9. Beautiful Day / Two Hearts Beat As One (snippet)
10. All I Want Is You
11. With Or Without You / Love Will Tear Us Apart (snippet)

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)