Day 1
It all started so unexpectedly...
Wednesday, just an ordinary, regular day, I was ready to go to the passport office to drop off a passport application and then go jam with my band a bit. Decided I'd check my e-mail one last time before I left, although it'd probably all be just junk mail, I thought to myself.
then something interesting popped up... [atu2] *@U2: U2 fans wanted for video shoot in Vancouver today reaction:
followed by 
then quickly followed by 
quickly messaged my buddies with something along the lines of "screw jamming, we're going to a video shoot" quickly ditched my passport app, no time for that... and hopped on the skytrain. We ended up at GM place, about 200th or so in line. Originally they said doors at 3pm, which turned to 5pm, which ended up being about 7pm. But, whatever, all in good fun. Made some trips down for some slurpees and stuff, and it was good.
Got our tickets, 4th row right beside the stage, awesome, awesome seats. Went in, and Rocko, who I'm not wure exactly wat he does, seemed like the head roadie or something, but he came out and told us the shoot, and that we were going to be moved around to fit shots and stuff. He then said, and I quote: "You'll always see a good U2 show, often, you'll see a great U2 show, and tonight, we want to make it look magical"
and it was.
U2 finally hit the stage, my first time ever seeing them live in person. Emotion was pretty overwhelming. The curtains lit up, it went dark, the COBL intro came on, and the band hit the stage. Bono was nowhere to be seen, however. People started pointing to the tip of the ellipse, and sure enough, Bono was there emerging out of nowhere, in that confident, almost cocky stance. With the intro still blaring, he made his way over slowly through our half of the ellipse to the main stage, flashing some peace directly our way. My first view of the B. man up close, it was damn cool.
The singing started, the first performance was alright, then Bono asked if we wanted another one right away, and the crowd of 3500 or so cheered wildly. So they went right into take 2. This was was already better, and the crowd was into it just as much as the first time. After the second take, Bono said they're going to go back and take a look at the footage and be right back out. 20 or so minutes went by, and boom, lights went back down, and COBL started anew. Once again, Bono at the top of the ellipse and making his way down our way to the front. This third take was excellent. Afterwards, Bono did a bit of band introductions it a mocking sort of pop idol way. He asked
what he wanted for his birthday, to which Larry replied "world peace" which resulted in some "awww"'s and cheers from the crowd. 
just replied with some really shy and quiet "yes's" ... as for 
, I couldn't really hear what he said. The crowd then chanted for 
's answer, to which he spontaneously busted into the Hokey Pokey, after which he expressed some surprise that we were all singing along because he though it was more of an "Irish thing." After the Hokey Pokey, came another great COBL, with the crowd into it more than ever. Afterwards, Bono said that they'll look over the new footage, come back out and play one or two more times, and then play something new, which excited everyone.
Sure enough, they came in for another COBL, just one this time, and promptly went to the back. At this point, Rocko came back out to 'move us around'. Which meant coming down onto the floor. During and before the show up to this point, staff were handing out yellow wristbands to some lucky people in the crowd to get into the ellipse. They went down first. Then it was our turn, and I ended up about 2 people back of the tip of the ellipse. At this point, Rocko said the Band's about to come out, and there's going to be rain, but we won't get wet. COBL finished up, but at this point I was too ecstatic to remember any exact details.
After that, however, shooting was wrapping up, and the familiar palm muting and drum beat came on.... VERTIGO! ... UNO! DOS! TRES! CATORCE! ... not once, but the infamous opening line, bono did twice! The crowd went NUTS! The floor was bouncing like crazy, so much energy for that song! That was then followed by a great rendition of All Because of You, but IMO, it was the weakest of the songs performed that night. Then came a really quick encore break, and Bono came back, thanked us all for helping out with the video, and mentioned his father, which meant Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own. This song always has so much power and emotion. But it appeared pretty evident the band was a bit worn out after a long day of shooting the video.
An excellent first experience of seeing the band live, and it was only going to get better.
It all started so unexpectedly...
Wednesday, just an ordinary, regular day, I was ready to go to the passport office to drop off a passport application and then go jam with my band a bit. Decided I'd check my e-mail one last time before I left, although it'd probably all be just junk mail, I thought to myself.
then something interesting popped up... [atu2] *@U2: U2 fans wanted for video shoot in Vancouver today reaction:
followed by then quickly followed by quickly messaged my buddies with something along the lines of "screw jamming, we're going to a video shoot" quickly ditched my passport app, no time for that... and hopped on the skytrain. We ended up at GM place, about 200th or so in line. Originally they said doors at 3pm, which turned to 5pm, which ended up being about 7pm. But, whatever, all in good fun. Made some trips down for some slurpees and stuff, and it was good.
Got our tickets, 4th row right beside the stage, awesome, awesome seats. Went in, and Rocko, who I'm not wure exactly wat he does, seemed like the head roadie or something, but he came out and told us the shoot, and that we were going to be moved around to fit shots and stuff. He then said, and I quote: "You'll always see a good U2 show, often, you'll see a great U2 show, and tonight, we want to make it look magical"
and it was.
U2 finally hit the stage, my first time ever seeing them live in person. Emotion was pretty overwhelming. The curtains lit up, it went dark, the COBL intro came on, and the band hit the stage. Bono was nowhere to be seen, however. People started pointing to the tip of the ellipse, and sure enough, Bono was there emerging out of nowhere, in that confident, almost cocky stance. With the intro still blaring, he made his way over slowly through our half of the ellipse to the main stage, flashing some peace directly our way. My first view of the B. man up close, it was damn cool.
The singing started, the first performance was alright, then Bono asked if we wanted another one right away, and the crowd of 3500 or so cheered wildly. So they went right into take 2. This was was already better, and the crowd was into it just as much as the first time. After the second take, Bono said they're going to go back and take a look at the footage and be right back out. 20 or so minutes went by, and boom, lights went back down, and COBL started anew. Once again, Bono at the top of the ellipse and making his way down our way to the front. This third take was excellent. Afterwards, Bono did a bit of band introductions it a mocking sort of pop idol way. He asked
what he wanted for his birthday, to which Larry replied "world peace" which resulted in some "awww"'s and cheers from the crowd. just replied with some really shy and quiet "yes's" ... as for , I couldn't really hear what he said. The crowd then chanted for 's answer, to which he spontaneously busted into the Hokey Pokey, after which he expressed some surprise that we were all singing along because he though it was more of an "Irish thing." After the Hokey Pokey, came another great COBL, with the crowd into it more than ever. Afterwards, Bono said that they'll look over the new footage, come back out and play one or two more times, and then play something new, which excited everyone.Sure enough, they came in for another COBL, just one this time, and promptly went to the back. At this point, Rocko came back out to 'move us around'. Which meant coming down onto the floor. During and before the show up to this point, staff were handing out yellow wristbands to some lucky people in the crowd to get into the ellipse. They went down first. Then it was our turn, and I ended up about 2 people back of the tip of the ellipse. At this point, Rocko said the Band's about to come out, and there's going to be rain, but we won't get wet. COBL finished up, but at this point I was too ecstatic to remember any exact details.
After that, however, shooting was wrapping up, and the familiar palm muting and drum beat came on.... VERTIGO! ... UNO! DOS! TRES! CATORCE! ... not once, but the infamous opening line, bono did twice! The crowd went NUTS! The floor was bouncing like crazy, so much energy for that song! That was then followed by a great rendition of All Because of You, but IMO, it was the weakest of the songs performed that night. Then came a really quick encore break, and Bono came back, thanked us all for helping out with the video, and mentioned his father, which meant Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own. This song always has so much power and emotion. But it appeared pretty evident the band was a bit worn out after a long day of shooting the video.
An excellent first experience of seeing the band live, and it was only going to get better.
... then the lights go out... and the familiar COBL opening comes on. The confetti drifts down, and Bono climbs out, right in front of us! Despite how amazing this song was in the shoot the day before, it was twice as good with the whole crowd being so into it! So much energy suddenly lit up the building. 
i am so happy that you had such a wonderful experience while seeing the band for the first time... congratulations! 
