Last night was my first U2 concert. We had tickets for last year's cancelled concert, and I was impressed that I saved them all year. Since I left my rain gear in Guatemala, I went out yesterday to buy a cheap poncho. My poncho was perfect because it came in a zip lock baggie for my iPhone in the rain. As we ate before the concert, I bragged to everyone that the weather was great in Guatemala even though it was supposed to storm and rain and explained that I would keep it away from the concert. Oops! We left the concert soaked. At one point I looked over I my friends. Everyone had rain running down their face and big smiles. It takes a great concert for people to remain in the pouring rain. When the lightening flashed in the background, I was afraid it was the end of the concert, but they kept playing. Into the typical playlist, Bono added lyrics from Rain by the Beatles, Purple Rain by Prince, and Singing in the Rain . He also dedicated a song he originally wrote for Michael Hutchence for Amy Winehouse who had passed earlier in the day.
I appreciate U2 not merely for their music and lyrics. I appreciate U2 for the social action that supports the lyrics. At one point they sang Hallelujah and asked people to raise their hands to the rain and heavens. Of course he mentioned the One campaign. Besides how can one not be emotional when we are still at war and Bloody Sunday is played. While we waited for the concert to start a variety of statistics were posted on the 360º screen (children born, books published, video games sold, days left of coal...). During the concert as they sang Miss Sarajevo, I thought about how many of their songs (Miss Sarajevo) would make a great quick write for the seventh graders.
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