We attended a fabulous show last Monday - U2's Vertigo tour arrived at the Rose Garden in Portland for their final stop of 2005 and their final US stop of the tour. With a mixed set - heavy with songs from Virtigo - it was one of the better overall performances I've seen from the band.
Having seen U2 four times now it is interesting to see how their stage show has evolved. Long acclaimed as a great "rock show," the band has evolved from the overly-showy to, perhaps, the overly-preachy. That in no way diminishes the quality of their show or their overall talent in putting together a great, classic, rock album. Most notable in the set list included probably the best version of Sunday Bloody Sunday that I've heard to date (complete w/ Bono drumming center-ellipse / walkway in Kabuki Drummer togs) along with a fantastic cover of Instant Karma.
In a good way, though, it was fitting that this final show of the year and US tour took place on the same day that Bono was awarded (along with Bill and Melinda Gates) as Time Magazine's person of the year. Some of that recognition goes for his work with international AIDS awareness and emerging nation debt reduction through the ONE Campaign.
In keeping with U2 tradition, they had an interesting and somewhat non-aligned (genre wise) opening act (most notable, on the PopMart tour, was a Rage Against the Machine opening act - quite good). This time out it was Kanye West - equally preachy but (for someone who isn't a huge Rap fan) a fantastic performer nonetheless.
For those keeping track - here's a couple of pictures courtesy of the U2 site. Happy concert-going and, for today - "so Happy Christmas..."
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