U2’s 360 Tour thrills Anaheim
Anaheim • The legendary band puts on another legendary show. U2 brought their 360 Tour to Angels Stadium on Friday and Saturday.
U2's Anaheim stop was originally planned a year ago. However, due to Bono's emergency back surgery in May 2010, it was postponed for a year, living many disappointed fans. But lucky for us, the band rescheduled and performed a show that was well worth the wait.
If you've never seen U2 in concert, you are missing out. This was my third U2 concert and each one has been more incredible than the last. My first was way back in 1997, on the PopMart Tour at the Los Angeles Coliseum. My second show was 2005's Vertigo Tour in Las Vegas. And finally, the 360 Tour. It was truly a show that will go down in history.
The stage structure, also known as The Claw, gave every single fan in the crowd a great view, even though it was in a large stadium. The Claw was inspired by the Theme Building at LAX. Atop the claw was a large 170-foot tall spire, complete with disco ball, which lit up the stadium and the night sky. The retractable 500,000-pixel screen gave the show its stunning 360-degree view.
Before U2 came on stage, the screen was lit up with messages and facts, such as the growing number of people living with AIDS, how many babies were born to crew members during the tour, how many songs are played during the show and the number of concerts left on the tour.
Opening with "Even Better than the Real Thing," the jubilant tone was set for the evening. The main set also featured the band's latest hits such as "Get on Your Boots," "Magnificent," as well as classics such as "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "Pride," "I Will Follow" and "Beautiful Day."
The enthusiasm and excitement from the band was infectious. Not a person was sitting down. A special moment came when the band's longtime manager, Paul McGuinness, came on stage for the first time in the band's history. Bono told the audience that without McGuinness, there would have been no U2. The day prior had been McGuinness' 60th birthday and the entire stadium joined Bono in singing "Happy Birthday."
Poignant, beautiful songs included "One," "Miss Sarajevo" and "Walk On." These songs would lose much of their meaning if sang by another. Bono dedicated "Pride" to Maria Shriver, who was in the audience and "Stay (Faraway, So Close)" to Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records.
Think U2 has lost their political edge? Think again. Bono spoke of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Burmese pro-democracy leader who was held under house arrest for 15 years. She was released in 2010. He then sang "Walk On." A video of Suu Kyi played and she spoke encouraging words of how it only takes "one" to make a difference. The lights went blue. The opening notes of "One" filled the stadium, and the hearts of every person there. A touching moment came when volunteers from Amnesty International with glowing lanterns joined the band on stage.
Bono sings every song with as much feeling as if it was the first time. The band plays with enjoyment and heart as if they were playing for the first time. Bono's strong, stirring voice, The Edge's haunting guitar riffs, Larry Mullen Jr.'s intense drums and Adam Clayton's throbbing bass will be with you long after the show's over.
The crowd went wild when the lights turned an orange-red glow, which was a sure sign that "Where the Streets Have No Name" was coming up next. Images of the band from the "Joshua Tree" days flashed across the screen, which makes one realize how timeless U2 really is. The encore included "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" and the classic, "With or Without You." They closed with "Moment of Surrender."
The sold-out stadium sang in unison during every song. U2 had reached their audience in more ways than one. And for at least a little while, the human race was united.