Opening Act(s): Institute
Setlist:
City Of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, Gloria, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For-In A Little While, Beautiful Day-Many Rivers To Cross, Original Of The Species, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love And Peace Or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday-Rock The Casbah, Bullet The Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride (In The Name Of Love), Where The Streets Have No Name, One. Encore(s): Until The End Of The World, Mysterious Ways, With Or Without You, Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Yahweh, 40.
Remarks:
Half a dozen cameras from the ESPN sports network film the concert tonight. U2 has given ESPN permission to use 'City Of Blinding Lights' for its upcoming coverage of the 2006 World Cup. Before the show, U2's crew works with the ESPN crew to shoot the pixel panels as they show the flags of all the countries that will be taking part in next year's World Cup. Also Happy Birthday is sung for Frank Sinatra, who would have turned 90 on this day.
Media Review:
The Charlotte Observer
U2 Bonds With Friends
by Courtney Devores
"I want to turn this song into a prayer," Bono said near the end of an emotional, show-stopping rendition of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" Monday night at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
"That prayer is that we do not become a monster in order to defeat a monster," he continued.
Instead of preaching to the crowd -- as Bono and U2 have often been accused -- the Irish quartet and arguably the biggest band in the world wove powerful political and social commentary throughout their songs.
Bono dedicated a controversial "Bullet the Blue Sky," during which he donned a blindfold and posed on his knees with his hands above his head like a prisoner of war, to U.S. troops serving in the Middle East.
Hits and heart made up the centerpiece of Monday's show, although the early songs were plagued by uneven sound.
The volume was low for opening act Institute considering the recently formed rock quartet features former Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale. The group updated 1990s grunge rock, which included a few reworked Bush singles.
U2, on the other hand, was almost too loud at times.
As 17,000 people clapped with arms raised high, Bono emerged at the front of the wide stage circle that extended out into the crowd, showered in confetti for "City of Blinding Lights." During the second song, "Vertigo," also from their most recent, Grammy-nominated album "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," the audience sang along with enthusiasm matched only by a chorus of screaming kids at a punk show.
That spirit carried through "Elevation," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," and "Beautiful Day."
"Gloria," from 1981's "October" and "Beautiful Day" suffered the most. Quiet moments were crisp, but as the band ascended into a booming chorus fuzz began to overcome them.
Luckily the problem was alleviated as Bono grabbed an acoustic guitar and Edge moved to keyboard for "Original of the Species."
"For the last 10 years of my father's life, every time we'd have a conversation he'd start it with `Would you just take off those stupid fly shades, please?' " Bono said, removing his trademark sunglasses while introducing "Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own."
"Love and Peace or Else" began with Bono and Larry Mullen Jr. perched at the end of the circle. The funk-soul cry to end war was the first in a chilling plea for peace and tolerance. The word "Co-Exist" was scrawled across Bono's bandana, and projected on the lights behind the group during "Sunday Bloody Sunday," 20 years old but still resonant.
"Miss Sarajevo" was followed by "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and "Where the Streets Have No Name." The combo, along with "One," capped off a moving, politically charged set.
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I have been a fan of U2 since I was in fourth grade. I am now 32 years old. The Charlotte concert was my first and I was not disappointed. They lived up to and exceeded all of my expectations of what a great U2 concert would be like. There are some criticisms by concert goers in todays Charlotte Observor that they are tired of Bono pushing his own agenda at the concerts, I say, if you dont like it, buy the CD's and stay at home. Bono's sincere concern for world hunger, Aids and poverty are what makes him endearing and gives the band its soul. I am already eagerly waiting for the next tour.
Awesome show! It was worth the 4 hour drive. I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Bono has an awesome voice and an awesome heart. His compassion for people worldwide is evident by the power of his lyrics and energy on stage. I especially loved his tribute "Sometimes you can't make it on your own" for his Dad.