HelloAngel
ONE love, blood, life
By Kevin Zuk
2004.11
"Est. 1979" read Bono’s jacket while The Edge laid down the opening riff to "Vertigo" when U2 appeared as the musical guest on "Saturday Night Live," taped Nov. 20 in New York City. With "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" ready to explode across the United States three days later, American fans tuned in anxiously to witness U2’s first major live US appearance since the Elevation Tour finished in Miami in December 2001.
The Edge delivered as expected on the high-octane, now-familiar single, however the stage seemed a bit constrictive for Bono as he is used to running around catwalks and large arena platforms. But the band pulled the single flawlessly with lots of energy and Bono’s high notes rung through the microphone at full power. “Vertigo” as a title is presumed to be the result of all things elevated, therefore Bono’s closing the song acting like a blind man with arms stretched out made sense before whaling the catchy “yeah, yeah” repetition to close out the smash hit, enjoying it’s fourth week atop the Billboard Modern Rock Chart at No. 1.
Host Luke Wilson transitioned the band into second song "Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own," a slow but building tribute to Bono’s late father, Bob Hewson. Already known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, emotions were obviously high as Bono covered his head with his arms for the line, “I don’t need to hear you say, that if we weren’t so alike, you’d like me a whole lot more.”
As the program appeared to be coming to an end, Bono ran to the stage for a third song, a rare happening on SNL, but the cast, crew and crowd blew up for "I Will Follow," as Bono broke down the stage’s barriers. He was on a woman’s lap in the front row, spinning cameras around ZooTV-style, and dancing with a lucky and appreciative cast member Amy Poehler. While the credits rolled and audience went completely berserk, Bono announced “One more song,” and the Edge licked the note sounding like the intro to "All Because of You." But the program was over and the members of the audience were the only ones treated to the encore, with U2’s best vibes filling Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center.
Overall, this was an amazing warm up for U2’s upcoming world tour and a great way to promote the "Bomb" release last Tuesday.
2004.11
"Est. 1979" read Bono’s jacket while The Edge laid down the opening riff to "Vertigo" when U2 appeared as the musical guest on "Saturday Night Live," taped Nov. 20 in New York City. With "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" ready to explode across the United States three days later, American fans tuned in anxiously to witness U2’s first major live US appearance since the Elevation Tour finished in Miami in December 2001.
The Edge delivered as expected on the high-octane, now-familiar single, however the stage seemed a bit constrictive for Bono as he is used to running around catwalks and large arena platforms. But the band pulled the single flawlessly with lots of energy and Bono’s high notes rung through the microphone at full power. “Vertigo” as a title is presumed to be the result of all things elevated, therefore Bono’s closing the song acting like a blind man with arms stretched out made sense before whaling the catchy “yeah, yeah” repetition to close out the smash hit, enjoying it’s fourth week atop the Billboard Modern Rock Chart at No. 1.
Host Luke Wilson transitioned the band into second song "Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own," a slow but building tribute to Bono’s late father, Bob Hewson. Already known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, emotions were obviously high as Bono covered his head with his arms for the line, “I don’t need to hear you say, that if we weren’t so alike, you’d like me a whole lot more.”
As the program appeared to be coming to an end, Bono ran to the stage for a third song, a rare happening on SNL, but the cast, crew and crowd blew up for "I Will Follow," as Bono broke down the stage’s barriers. He was on a woman’s lap in the front row, spinning cameras around ZooTV-style, and dancing with a lucky and appreciative cast member Amy Poehler. While the credits rolled and audience went completely berserk, Bono announced “One more song,” and the Edge licked the note sounding like the intro to "All Because of You." But the program was over and the members of the audience were the only ones treated to the encore, with U2’s best vibes filling Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center.
Overall, this was an amazing warm up for U2’s upcoming world tour and a great way to promote the "Bomb" release last Tuesday.
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