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MSG gig
Suddenly Saturday's MSG gig has something to live up to - and that would be last night's U2 show at the Meadowlands. Much improved sound, audience response and band tightness really produced a great concert, topping Tuesday.
As on the 17th, the best was saved for last. For anyone who follows U2 setlists with any regularity, the band has a "A" set and a "B" set for two-night stands. The "B" script was followed to the letter last night - subtract "Electric Co." and "An Cat Dubh - Into the Heart" and add "Gloria" and "The Ocean", etc. - until just after "Yahweh". On his way back to the main stage from out at the tip of the elliptical ramp, Bono stopped suddenly and asked for a spot light. Reaching down into the crowd, he began pulling a fan out of the throng. Then another, and another, and then even more.
But this wasn't random selection - Bono had heaved a local band, the Bank Robbers, onto the stage. As U2 handed over their instruments to these interlopers, Bono joked that Larry wouldn't surrender his drums, so the single tom drum used for "Love and Pease or Else" was brought on stage. The Bank Robbers' guitar player began to strum the familiar chords to "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", a song not played on this tour. What followed was a ramshackle, but inspired take on the U2 hit, complete with a thrashed-up and chaotic ending that brought down the house. It was a spontaneous and gloriously fun moment that I won't ever forget.
"If you're thinking of forming a punk group, a jazz group, a rock group," Bono said after ushering the Robbers off the stage. "We'll be back in the fall, so be ready." After a quick band huddle, U2 ended the night with a powerful rendition of "Bad".
Now it's on to Saturday night with my expectations ratcheted even higher by two surprisingly great New Jersey shows. Continental Airlines Arena - you've been redeemed.