by The Chad

Utah too, thanks U2! A 24 hour over night wait outside the Delta Center led me inside the heart and against the rail in front of The Edge for a LOUD and powerful concert. I couldn't sleep as others tried to get confortable on the concrete near the Delta Center. Mummy bags and fold out chairs lined the sidewalk as temperatures dropped here in Salt Lake City the night before the show. SJ and I spent the time playing frizbee and getting Semi's to honk as they drove by. The line was pretty organized and the brutal wait paid off.
No Doubt was a great show and surprised me. Gwen is gorgeous! (Thanks for taking my hand Gwen!) They had a lot of energy and the new Jamaican influence in their music is a welcome addition.
This was my 3rd trip to the heart and 1st show on the 3rd leg. The small changes were perfect and the set had a smooth flow. Before U2 came out some Beatles songs were played and many small American flags, that were passed out in line before the show, were being waved to "All You Need Is Love". I raised my full size US flag and we spread it open above us for a patriotic cheer from the arena.
They opened strong as usual and took fans from 2000 to the 80's and back again leading to Kite. Bono spoke of his Father's passing and dedicated the song to those that have lost someone close to them. It gave the song added significance to me as my Grandfather passed away this week and my own father was in attendance for his first U2 show that night. Sunday Bloody Sunday was a prayer for our country as Bono cradled and hugged the American Flag from the audience. He thanked Salt Lake City by saying, "You have stayed with us when U2 were making those far-out records." He also gave props to Senator Orin Hatch for his help with Debt relief. The acoustic version of Wild Honey was a welcome surprise for me and the fan that was pulled up to play keyboards for People Get Ready performed flawlessly. Please was performed with much emotion as he said it could have very well been written about the tradegy in the U.S. as evil people "wrongfully make God in their own image... small." Osama Bin Laden can kiss Bono's "royal irish arse!". Very animated and very powerful the band encored with adlibs like, "Even Salt Lake City loves New York".. until closing with Walk On that received such a deafening final applause that after all had walked off and Bono was about to walk down the stairs he turned around with his eyes wide, walked back to the microphone and said simply, "WOW!". The show was over.
A big thanks to The Edge for touching my outstretch hand a few times and for the guitar pick. I'll post pictures soon.
Walk On

Chad Anderson
Salt Lake City, Utah

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