this was my first U2 concert and it was absolutely incredible!
I got there at about 1:00 and lined up, eventually at about 4:30 they opened the gates and we all ran in oonly to find you needed to collect a wristband on the way in so that you could get into the front section. after running back to the gate and getting my wristband I went to the front and grabbed a spot on the rail just where the walkway comes out on Edge's side.
The Bravery came on and were pretty rubbish, the sound kept cutting out which didn't help! next Snow patrol played and were really good, the crowd started to get going for them.
eventually U2 came on and I got my first glimpse of the boys in real life, it was cool!
after that it was a bit of a blur of singing and dancing and generally having a great time. here are a few highlights:
I will follow was great, we heard it in the soundcheck so were kinda expecting it but it was still really exciting to hear the start of it!
Electric Co. was absolutely incredible, Edge really rocked out on this and was right in front of where I was standing. everyone around me was singing despite it not being one of their better known songs.
New years day was good, I'm not a great fan of this song but live it just had so much energy.
City of blinding lights was good, bono brought a little girl up onto the stage but then didn't seem to know what to do with her, it was cool though!
Sometimes was good but Bono was out on the b-stage farthest away from me for most of it so the 'sing' part wasn't as powerful as it could have been.
The Sunday bloody Sunday -> Bullet sequence was really good, I loved the little snippet of 'Please' in Bullet, that's one of my favourite songs.
Streets was amazing, there was just so much colour! I agree with what people say about the segue from pride into streets not working too well but that doesn't stop streets from being an awesome song.
One was great (I'm running out of words to describe them now!), at the beginning while Bono was talking, Edge was playing around on the guitar instead of having the synth, it was good. Bono stopped singing for quite a lot of it and just let the crowd carry the tune.
The Zoo TV encore was amazing, it had finally got dark by this point and the graphics on the screen were really effective. The Fly particularly was such a good experience - seeing the Edge rock out that solo just a few feet away was brilliant!
Mysterious ways was fun, everyone was singing and dancing, Bono's dancing was funny!
With or without you was a real highlight of the show, it is one of my favouirite songs and the whole atmosphere by that point was incredible.
Yahweh was good, the graphics on the big screen were fantastic, i spent most of the time watching them instead of the band (who were behind me on the b-stages)
the second Vertigo was a great show closer - I think they should start with something else and leave Vertigo 'til the end.
Overall a fantastic experience, once it got dark the big screen was amazing. I was suprised that the sound wasn't too loud despite being right at the front, I took earplugs but didn't use them.
you can see some of my photos
here
Take care, Rich