U2 for Boss's Day

- October 17, 2005, The U2 Concert on National Boss's Day.

My wife and I went to see U2 in concert at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The concert almost proved to be out of sight when a 6'5" Swede decided to stand throughout the concert in the seat in front of me. After a lackluster opening Reggae band, U2 resoundingly mesmerized the crowd. Bono was an energetic front man but my eyes were often stolen by Edge's guitar riffs.

U2 performed for over two hours to a sold out show. U2 covered songs from their new album as well as the all-time classics. The Joshua Tree album was well represented in song and spirit. It remains one of my favorite albums and I am not alone in the adulation. Public radio station WXPN just voted it as one of the top ten albums in history. U2 did a moving rendition of Miss Sarajevo which could not be introduced without political commentary to do it justice.

The band returned three different times for encores. Standing ovations and spilled beers greeted them each time. During the middle encore, Bono prepped the audience for something special by instructing everyone to get out their cell phones for picture taking. Phones flipped open and a virtual sea of soft blue light illuminated the dark. The Darkness on the Edge of Town had been pierced and technology never seemed so tranquil. When Bono needed another guitar player on stage, he recruited audience participation. New Jersey's beloved Bruce Springsteen was plucked straight from the crowd. The Freudian Slips irony did not escape me: The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, on Boss's Day. The crowd went absolutely berserk over the staged shenanigans. Two of my favorite musicians now shared the same sound stage. How boss!

Meanwhile, I couldn't see a freaking thing from section 107 lower level and it wasn't just because of the giant Swede. The last time I saw Bruce Springsteen live in concert was at the tenderloin age of twenty when I boasted 20/20 vision. Two decades later, I needed the army field binoculars of a four star general to know the Boss was even in the building. Through the high powered binoculars, I found Bruce strutting on stage. Periscope eyes watched him and Bono belt out a fiery rendition of People Get Ready. Why did my ears hear the crowd emanating a chorus of boos to such a cool duet? Well, my ears joined my failing eyes when I learned that the crowd was chanting a flattering Brrruuuuuuuccccccce and not boos.

After the fulfilling concert, I couldn't find my stinking car in the parking lot. Did I mention that my legs hurt from walking and tippy-toeing all night over the treetop from Sweden? Twenty years from now I'll probably be watching the Foo Fighters farewell tour with Coke bottle prescription glasses and hearing aides all the while smelling every bit like an old person dipped in garlic. Don't laugh. For the record, it will happen to U2.