The seventh U2ieTour show in New York City at Madison Square Garden saw the tour debut of “Satellite of Love” (not played since 1993), Paul Simon singing “Mother and Child Reunion,” the booing of an obnoxious ‘fan,’ and the return of the Dalton Brothers – sort of. Even with all that, this second to last show of the U.S. tour was a little flat, or maybe I was just expecting too much.

I woke up at 7am to check in at the GA line at 7:30. It was the worst I had felt all week as far as being sick. I had been up most of the night coughing, so I went back to bed and napped until I had to work my GA shift from 1-3. The only reason I was doing the whole GA line process was because my old Elevation friends Jenny, Jennifer, Abbey and I were dressing up as the Dalton Brothers and wanted to make sure we were on the rail of the e stage on the South Side. I was Duke (Larry), Jenny was Betty (Adam), Jennifer was Alton (Bono) and Abbey was Luke (Edge). And since I was queuing, I thought it was only fair that I take a shift to help run the GA line. Of course when I left my hotel to head back to MSG, it was raining. Luckily there was an overhang at the GA line, so Jeff and I kept retreating under it to put people on the list. It wasn’t too bad. I would have rather had rain than sun anyway. When my shift ended at 3:00, I met Jenny and Jennifer over where U2 arrives – except they didn’t arrive, or they did but didn’t stop. Around 3:30, we went to our favorite spot Kabooz in Penn Station for our pre concert meal. We looked pretty funny in our matching Dalton Brothers shirts and hats. At 4:30 we went back to the GA line to check in, but it was pouring rain so they told us to come back at 5:30. So we went back into Penn Station. There was a graduation, so the GA line had to enter through a different door. They walked us around the corner and we lined. Luckily it went ok. 

Jenny was number 5, I was number 14 and Jennifer was number 60. Abbey hadn’t yet got a GA and was hoping to just get inside the building. We had her Luke Dalton shirt just in case she made it in. (At some point during show Abbey did make it onto the floor, but not up with us on the rail.) We got our spot on the rail on the South Side of the e stage next to Larry’s drums. When Adam read our sign “We do NOT play anything, Country or Western,” he laughed hysterically. We also had a sign for the missing Dalton Brother Luke that read, “No GA luck for Luke” and hung his shirt over the rail. I also brought one of my Larry Mullen Band shirts from the 360 tour and hung it over the rail since for the first time this tour I wasn’t wearing a Larry Mullen Band shirt. Larry noticed us when he walked onto the e stage and smiled and nodded. Bono finally noticed us right before “Satellite of Love” and bowed to us and then gave us the thumbs up. “Satellite of Love” was great! Just like on ZooTv – Lou Reed “dueted” with Bono via video (the same video used on the ZooTv tour). 

During the e stage set, Bono thanked the firefighters and woman who helped him during his bike accident. They were in the ‘VIP’ section behind the e stage. The fire fighters were gracious and said a few words inviting Bono over for some Jameson. But when Bono gave the woman the microphone, she went off. She corrected Bono saying her correct name and saying she is not from Denver, but from DC. Bono told this story at the Denver show saying this woman was from Denver and was at the Denver show per Ally’s invitation. It’s not that this woman corrected Bono, but it was her nasty tone in which she did it. Then she went on to insult New Yorkers saying she had to call 911 for Bono because New Yorkers are so rude no one would stop to help. The audience loudly booed her and the microphone was taken from her. The band was hysterical. Larry was laughing, Bono was in disbelief and Edge turned around and mouthed “WOW!”

Right before Bono launched into Paul Simon’s “Mother and Child Reunion,” Bono tells the audience that Paul Simon is in the house and then at the end of Bono’s rendition when “Streets” was just starting out walks Paul Simon – who made Bono look tall by the way. Then Paul Simon sang “Mother and Child Reunion” his way, not the way Bono had been singing it. It was a little awkward, but still cool.

The set list for NYC7 7.30.15 was as follows:

Main Set

1. The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
2. The Electric Co., Send In The Clowns (snippet), Helter Skelter (snippet), I Can See For Miles (snippet)
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
9. Raised By Wolves
10. Until The End Of The World, Love And Peace Or Else (snippet), Words(snippet)

Second Set

1. Invisible
2. Even Better Than The Real Thing
3. Mysterious Ways, Girls On Film (snippet), Young Americans (snippet)
4. Elevation
5. Ordinary Love
6. Satellite Of Love
7. Every Breaking Wave
8. Bullet The Blue Sky, 19 (snippet)
9. The Hands That Built America (snippet), Pride
10. Beautiful Day, I Remember You (snippet)
11. With Or Without You, Satellite Of Love (snippet)

Encore

1. City Of Blinding Lights
2. Mother And Child Reunion with Paul Simon
3. Where The Streets Have No Name, California (There Is No End To Love)(snippet)
4. One, All You Need Is Love (snippet)

(from http://tours.atu2.com/concert/madison-square-garden-new-york-jul-30-2015)

To see all my pictures from NYC7, please click here.

 

U2ieTOUR NYC8 7.31.15 – the final U.S. show

The next day was the last day of July, the final U2ieTour show in the U.S., my 15th and final show of the tour and my 90th U2 show overall since 1992. I was already crying at 10am, thinking back on all the magnificent moments on the tour since May 14. I walked down to Madison Square Garden just after 1pm to wait for U2 to arrive. Although they had only stopped twice during the first seven NYC shows, I figured they would all come out like they had at the final show in Chicago – especially since this was the last show in the U.S. Vicky and Jenny were there waiting up on the rail in the hot sun. I decided just to hang back in the shade and walk up if anyone stopped on their way in. I had had all of my moments with the band and just wanted to say “Thank you” should they stop. Plus I had promised myself that this final show would be stress free and I just wanted to relax and enjoy every second and take it all in. I ran into lots of great people I had met in NYC over the previous week. It was like a bittersweet U2 reunion. Around 3:30pm, Bono arrived and stopped and quickly greeted the fans. I went up and stood behind Jenny so I could video and take a photo of Bono shaking her hand. I did manage to shout out a “Thank you!”

Around 4pm, Jenny and I went back to our usual spot Kabooz in Penn Station – for the fourth time. I changed it up though and got a turkey burger instead of my usual chicken fingers. Jennifer and Abbey joined us for a bit. Around 5pm Jenny went back to the GA line and I went inside where the Merch table and box office was to stay in the air conditioning and relax before my final show. Around 5:30, I got in the inside GA line with about eight people in front of me. We were let in after the outside GA line, but didn’t have to wait outside in the hot sun or check in – and I still got rail! I was on the South Side on the rail on the runway on the right end of Larry’s screen for “Invisible” – just to the right of where I was for NYC6. Before the show started, the crowd started cheering. I turned around to see Bill and Hillary Clinton taking the seats in a box on the second level.

The second U2 took the stage I noticed Larry was wearing my favorite blue shirt. The one he wore in both Vancouver shows and in Denver1. The one I hadn’t seen since. (He wore the blue and black checkered shirt for NYC5, which was close but not this beautiful blue). I was SO excited Larry wore my favorite blue shirt for the final U.S. show, my final U2ieTour show. I cried during “The Miracle” and again during “Out of Control” because it was the last show. I was very excited U2 played “Out of Control” as it’s my favorite song in that number two slot and was happy to hear it for my last show. Bono mentioned this was U2’s 100th show at Madison Square Garden. Then he gave a shout out to Edge and Adam for playing the AtU2 party two days prior. I was of course excited being that close and watching Larry on the runway during “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” but I’m never more excited than when I’m in front of Larry peeking in and out of the screen during “Invisible.” I’m jumping up and down (and I’m not really a jumper) and singing along. I just love that song, especially live.

During the e stage set, which I had a good view of from my spot toward the end of the runway, Khelia got on stage and danced with Bono during “Mysterious Ways” and filmed “Desire.” Bono also brought up Sil and the gang from U2BR.com during “Desire.” They were dressed up like the “Discotheque” video, but Bono kept referring to them as The Village People. U2 launched into “Party Girl” for the first time this tour. Bono grabbed a bottle of champagne, shook it up and sprayed the crowd a la ZooTv – and Elevation Providence2. When Larry left the e stage, he took the champagne bottle and drank it as he walked down the runway to the main stage. I of course was flashing back to Larry’s 40th birthday celebration at Elevation Providence2 when Larry walked over to me and gave me his champagne bottle with champagne still in it, but that did not happen this time.

After the e stage set, I moved over to the North Side as I usually did. I stood toward the back against the barricade near the tunnel where U2 would leave. I was praying they would play my favorite “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” since they had played “One” the past three shows instead of alternating the two. It’s the best of both worlds, almost like seeing two shows in one. For the first half, I stand at the rail (or one person back) at the e stage so close to the band I can hear their banter etc then for the second half, I stand in the back with lots of space around me just enjoying the energy and watching the screens. I was excited to finally see Deb and her husband again at their North Side Dance Party – hadn’t seen them since Denver.

As soon as my favorite “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” began, I started to cry hysterically and continued throughout the song. It is my favorite song, my theme song – I even have a necklace. I cried when I heard it at the first show in Vancouver and was crying at this last show in NYC. Even Bruce Springsteen singing along did not ruin it for me. Sorry Bruce fans, but I don’t love him like most U2 fans do. I was still crying when “40” started after Bono again dedicated it to Dennis Sheehan. I love that Larry finally gets a drum solo on “40!” When U2 passed by to leave just a few inches away, Larry shook my hand – a perfect way to end my U2ieTour. 

The set list for the final U.S. show 7.31.15 NYC8 was as follows:

Main Set

1. The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
2. Out Of Control
3. Vertigo, God Save The Queen (snippet)
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
10. Until The End Of The World, Love And Peace Or Else (snippet), Words(snippet)

Second Set

1. Invisible
2. Even Better Than The Real Thing
3. Mysterious Ways, Burning Down The House (snippet), Young Americans(snippet)
4. Desire, Not Fade Away (snippet)
5. Party Girl
6. Every Breaking Wave
7. Bullet The Blue Sky, 19 (snippet)
8. The Hands That Built America (snippet), Pride
9. Beautiful Day, Hungry Heart (snippet), New York New York (snippet)
10. With Or Without You

Encore

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. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For with Bruce Springsteen
4. Stand By Me with Bruce Springsteen
5. 40

(from http://tours.atu2.com/concert/madison-square-garden-new-york-jul-31-2015)

To see all of my picture from NYC8, the final U.S. show, please click here.

It has been a magnificent musical journey on the U2ieTour – 15 shows from May 14 to July 31 in Vancouver, Denver, Chicago and New York City. I saw the very first show of the tour in Vancouver, gave Larry my book I wrote in Denver, after 23 years finally got Larry’s autograph when he signed a copy of my book in Denver, Larry sought me out in the audience (one person back off the rail) that night in Denver to give me his drumsticks after we locked eyes during “Angel of Harlem,” after 23 years I finally got my picture with Larry in Chicago, heard “October” and “Two Hearts Beat as One” for the first time ever in New York City, heard every song (except “In God’s Country) that U2 played on the U2ieTour and saw the last show in the U.S. This really has been the Dreams Realized tour.