It's a Beautiful Day!

So it finally happened - I saw U2 in the Melbourne gig of their Vertigo tour. A 20-year old love affair and a lifetime of dreaming what it would be like to be in a stadium with 70,000 other people singing along to their anthemic songs. I never truly appreciated the saying "be careful what you wish for" until after the concert. I realize that when you get what you wish for - there is nothing to look forward to because, in a sense, you have attained your heart's desire. But enough of the philosophical imaginings - it's a double treat as well since Kanye West starts the concert!

The crowd gets a bit antsy and does a few "waves". It's fun...until the 6th time. When the background music stops we all know that the boys are coming out in a few moments. For the Aussies, this is also a moment they have been waiting for as the last time U2 was here was 8 years ago and their supposed March gig was cancelled.

True to form - U2 just walks in and a gazillion lights stream down the large videowall - "City of Blinding Lights" - and Bono sings "oh you look so beautiful tonight". We're jumping, we're screaming, dancing. It's impossible that they sing all our beloved songs from the past and present but the selection is enough to leave us satisfied. A smattering of images on the video wall - a belly dancer, the bill of human rights, aboriginal art interspersed with the music. As corny as it sounds, words can't describe that magical night.

It took me 3 seconds to decide to fly to Australia to watch U2 ... and I would do it all over again.