U2 - Passion Play

November 8, 2005

So St Bono alas did not win the Nobel Peace Prize. He continues to spread a message of love and peace, while meeting with as many powerful world leaders as possible to persuade them to help the poor and the sickly-than to be rewarded for doing so.

Such an honor is mere recognition, like being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. It may exalt his good deeds, cause people who know nothing of his music to take notice of a headline, but it doesn't help U2 reach into hearts and minds any more than a Super Bowl appearance does.

More so than in any other form, including releasing new studio albums, that mission is accomplished on tours. That much has been evident for more than 20 years. Indeed the band's current Vertigo Tour has been it's most diplomatically outspoken, often dogma-challenged and at times heart-wrenching call to activism ever. Last Tuesday evening I was at the Staple Center in Los Angeles as part of their audience. What I saw for over two hours was a tremendously moving performance that illustrated what initially played like the ultimate U2 show that has now congealed into an experience altogether more profound and lasting.

From my point of view, this simply wasn't the best show of the year, which it was. It was the best U2 whow I've seen, a fluid, forceful, compelling statement of purpose. It was the srongest recapitulation of every point U2 have tried to get across for the past five years.

What has changed is somewhat hard to define. It isn't song selections per say. I think what has happened is that the concept has been refined so that it no longer serves dual purposes. For as much as about unveiling set pieces like " Sunday Bloody Sunday " then sears into itself into psyches with the harrowing " Bullet Over Blue Sky ", the concert seemed to be about U2 trying to re-establish it's credibility proving that the band have really gotten back to basics by revisiting early favorites like " The Electric Co ".

Here the band is much more energetic than say six months ago with much more of the passion as they displayed back in the mid-80's, offcourse with Bono singing heartier and his falsetos flawless, there was resolute determination to inspire.

Every song served a major larger message, from the opening uplift like " Elevation " and " Beautiful Day "to moments of intense intimacy like " Miss Sarajevo " ( Bono did a wonderul rendition of Pavarotti's part ) to rousers like " One " and " Where The Streets Have No Name ".

The thrust of it was written across Bono's headband during the aforementioned segment, a religious symbol that for Bono is united with the words " Co-exist ". By the time " With Or Without You " concluded the first encore, the communion felit like an invigorating service in the Church Of Rock N Roll, Bono must have left some congregants changed. Few singers can do what Bono does which is dare to make the audience look back and listen. If the looser second encore didn't sustain that momentum, well who would have blamed them, two hours worth of material with interchanging songs from one concert venue to another in different cities every other night. Ironically the night before as Bono mentioned that drummer Larry Mullen Jr had a birthday. That perhaps explains why the second encore was still strong but not with the same edge as belted by the first encore. Hey even missionaries are entitled to relax and have fun.

I walked away with a sense of profound respect for what these 4 Irish lads came to deliver last Tuesday evening. For a two hour plus concert they delivered meat for the fans who came to see them. Whether U2 likes it or not, they are the conscience of rock music and every concert show seems to re-enforce that belief system worldwide.

Rohale

November 8, 2005