I really really really don't know where to start with this. People always
ask me if it doesn't get old after seeing (now) 22 shows on this tour.
Last night explains why.
Thy crewmember I was talking to came through, and met me at 1pm. Got a
VIP all access pass, and we were on our way. Years of being a fan, and
finally.... We headed backstage, and popped up on the stage just as the
soundcheck was going on. The lights....I was on stage with popmart live.
Hold onto your hats....they soundchecked not only Mothers of the
Disappeared, but also a live version of Never Tear Us Apart as a
Bono/Edge duet with Michael Hutchence on the screen. Amazing.
We didn't stay on stage too long, but I did get to touch the lemon....and
the cocktail swizzle stick...no squeaky nun though. ;-) Underground is
AMAZING....how they manage to truck this production around the world,
still get it wired perfectly every time is totally beyond me.
The coolest part came after getting the brief tour, I was told the VIP
pass gave me permission to roam inside the railing at the b-stage. I was
wherever the action was....b-stage or not. It really really doesn't get
any better than this.
Quick concert review: no setlist excitement, except for 40 at the end.
Bono attempted something in Portuguese to introduce it which was mangled
so badly I had no cleu what it was supposed to be. ;-) HOWEVER, the
entire highlight of the night, was Bono taking my Wire tag and wearing it
during Hold Me, Thrill Me....He took it, looked at the back of it, and saw
what he'd done in Vancouver. "Eat the Corporate Monster Before it Eats
You...Bono" He just looked out and said "who's this fookin Bono guy?"
Now, since this thing's been one big adventure, I'm off for two days in
nature with three european fans who have been to EVERY show. We're
heading down south to the Foz do Iguacu to commune with nature.
You know, the working world is a joke. :) This is where reality is at.
Kiss the future, f*** the past,
Jason