Forty years ago a band from across the pond came to Boston to play at the Orpheum theater. From there my journey with U2 has taken me to the Worcester Centrum, Central
Conneticut, 3rd row at the original Boston Garden, front and center at Pairc ui Choimh in Cork, countless shows in Boston and most recently In the Red Zone in Belfast, so close to Edge I could have picked his guitar myself. Last night that journey brought me back to the Orpheum for Bono’s one man “book tour” event. Tickets announced and purchased a month ago, a show sandwiched in amongst a busy work schedule, a wedding and another concert, I hadn’t given much thought to what the night would even entail. Bono proved that he could continue to surprise me, make me laugh, make me cry. In my 40 year relationship with U2 I have listened over and over to every song, interview, every album and LP, every obscure rare recording I could get my hands on..I knew U2.
I sat listening to Bono last night, enveloping his experiences in the music, experiences that were MY experiences, friendship, marriage, children, the huge love and in turn huge loss of your parents.
Several times surprised to not hear the song that I felt matched each experience. I’ve always listened to a U2 album in a new light after hearing it live and listening to Bono talk about it. Each song last night, Pride, I Will Follow, Electric Co, Desire, etc etc ..how many times have I heard them? Live, in my room, played to death on the radio..yet it was like hearing them for the first time.
I would be hard pressed to pick my best U2 moment. The Super Bowl halftime show after 9/11 when he opened his jacket to reveal the American flag was by far the most moving. Bono is a showman. Critics like to talk about his huge ego. Like them or not, you cannot take away the awards, Grammys, album sales, huge success of U2. On a quest to “put his money where his mouth is” Bono started the ONE and RED campaigns and has led huge humanitarian efforts across the globe. Last night he stood on the small stage with just a string quartet and he was a man. He revealed himself for two hours, a husband, father, bandmate, a son. No flash, no fancy light show, no costume changes, just raw, open, honest. Not unusual for Bono but in a way I had never experienced. I left with a lot to consider and a thirst to stay up all night reading this book. Unquestionably a top moment. ☘️ 🇮🇪💚