Jeff McClusky & Associates

When I joined the mass of 65,000 people walking toward Soldier Field last Tuesday night, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew that as far as stadium shows go, U2’s was considered the best. I also knew from one look at the crowd that these people came to sing their hearts out to the songs they knew by heart from U2’s over 20 year career. This concert, having been postponed a year after a back injury forced Bono to drop out of the tour, was a long time coming. 

And, let me tell you, everything you might have heard about the spectacle of U2’s 360 tour is true. “The Claw”, their contraption featuring bridges, a rotating drumset, and a lit up microphone that doubled as a swing for Bono, helped magnify what was truly a solid set by U2. Every member of the band was in fine form, and the giant 360 screen made every seat in the house a great view. Bono was pulling at the heartstrings of the crowd the entire night, and the video they showed of Gabrielle Gifford’s husband up in space and of various oppressed people around the world only emphasized the words of freedom Bono would sing with such authority. My particular highlight of the show was when they easily shifted from “Beautiful Day” into a short cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”

Not surprisingly for such a larger-than-life show, space was a big theme. There were cartoon aliens, and U2’s set was bookended by the aforementioned Bowie hit and Elton John’s “Rocket Man”. Bono also used every opportunity to talk about the social causes he champions, including his own One Campaign. He also took some time to wax nostalgic about the special relationship U2 seems to have with the city of Chicago, and his ongoing gratitude to their fans for their never-ending support.This nostalgia gave way into an unrehearsed performance of “One Tree Hill”, which I’m sure was a highlight for many in attendance.

As I shuffled back out of Soldier Field with 65,000 other people, I was still taken-aback by U2’s ability to move a crowd of such size, while still showing that their music chops have no rust at all. Their show was cinematic, their sound was crisp and energetic, and the night was one I’m sure I won’t forget for a very long time.

—Claire