U2 concert embodies real rock, live passion

  KEITH ENRIQUEZ/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Lead singer of
U2, Bono, reveals true rock ‘n’ roll to an
enthusiastic audience Monday night.

By Chris Moriates
Daily Bruin Senior Staff

It was like those Baptist churches that they show in the movies.
With people stacked to the rafters raising their hands in the air
in celebration, U2 brought a show that was at times somber and at
times ebullient to the Staples Center on Monday night.

There are few men that make a better rock star than Bono, the
Irish frontman of U2.

Bono staggers about the elaborately built stage like an old
veteran, like a high school senior that has hooked up with all of
the Varsity cheerleaders. He commands attention from the stadium,
which was so sold-out that three more people could not have
successfully squeezed into the room.

Dressed in all black, Bono would pounce like a cougar along the
stage, which protruded out into the audience, and hunch over to
reveal his soul through his vocal outbursts.

While U2 packs multimillion-dollar stage effects and lighting, a
U2 show is by no means all about the bells and whistles.

Their music reveals their passion.

Don’t be fooled by the video screens and spinning lights
““ this is no Backstreet Boys concert. U2 is the definition of
rock ‘n’ roll and any doubts of this are squelched by
their powerful live show.

Almost bringing people to tears, the most touching moment of the
evening was during the first encore, when the group performed a
heartfelt version of “One,” while a video screen placed
behind the band scrolled the names of the victims of Sept. 11 in
big white letters on a blue background.

  No Doubt opens for U2, to a packed crowd at the Staples
Center in Los Angeles. But the music provided a sense of optimism
to this melancholy display, encouraging the crowd to pull
themselves up by their bootstraps and rise above the tragedy.

Clutching an American flag to his chest with head bowed in
reverence, Bono publicly displayed his respect for a country that
he doesn’t even call home.

“I was never very patriotic. And that flag (pointing to
American flag, which he hung on the kickdrum during the encore)
didn’t mean much to me, until a few months ago,” Bono
said.

The band performed songs from their newest album “All That
You Can’t Leave Behind,” as well as old favorites,
including a rare live performance of “I Still Haven’t
Found What I’m Looking For.”

In an amazing surprise, Bono actually invited up an audience
member from the front who was holding up a sign that declared she
could play the guitar. On blind faith and after a short whispered
discussion on stage, Bono handed her his acoustic guitar and she
joined the band in a rendition of “People Get
Ready.”

In another unexpected turn, No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani joined
U2 on stage to help sing Marvin Gaye’s “What’s
Going On.”

No Doubt did a hell of a job opening the show.

The seats were filled for their early 7:30 slot, showing that No
Doubt could easily play the Staples Center on their own.

Donned in the black, white, and red “Rock Steady”
theme from their new video “Hey Baby,” Stefani and Co.
burst with energy. They received a hero’s applause as they
took center stage and bowed at the end of their set.

U2 performed like seasoned veterans, rising to the occasion.
Even Tom Morello, the guitarist of the now broken-up Rage Against
the Machine, was seen next to the soundboard grooving with the
music. And if Morello approves, then something special is
happening.

On Monday night, U2 proved that anytime it takes the stage, it
is a magical experience.