With or Without You

I waited 6 months for my Christmas present – tickets to see U2 in concert at Vanderbilt. The best thing I can say is that it was definitely worth the wait. I do believe that was the biggest and best concert I’ve ever been to in my life. It is impossible to describe the entire thing, so here are just a few items to note:

1. They live up to the hype. U2 is good and the show is amazing.

2. If you aren’t really into U2 music, it doesn’t matter. You will still think this is an amazing concert – so says Anthony and my sister.

3. The originality of this concert is unbelievable. The reason it doesn’t matter if you like the music is that it is there is so much more going on other than just Bono singing. There are lights, movies, live camera action, electronics all swirling around you at the same time. I just sat there wondering, “Who came up with all of this and how does it work?”

4. Outdoor concerts in July are hot. A stadium with 45,000 people is SWELTERING, even at 9pm. It was the kind of hot where personal space is important and you don’t want anyone to touch you.

5. Apparently being the most popular rock band on earth doesn’t mean you reach a diverse population. I realize they are white boys from Ireland, but in a crowd of 45,000 I expected a few more people of color. I saw 1 black man and a handful of Asians. I’m not sure what that says – it’s just an observation.

6. All those white people who did show up looked exactly the same. It was freaky. Guys had on polos and cargo shorts or the hipster ones had on their black rimmed glasses, western snap up shirts, and beard stubble. Women’s clothes varied more, but mainly everyone was tan, in moderately good shape, with fancy flip flops. I think everyone looked the same because there wasn’t much age range. I’d guess the crowd was mostly 30s and 40s with some on either side thrown in. And if you can afford U2 tickets, you’re likely middle to upper middle class and shop at the same stores. I don’t think I could live in Nashville – I’m not put together enough. The Asheville freaks make me feel “normal”.

7. For the good and bad of it, they don’t let it be just a concert. You will learn about what is going on in the world, like it or not. On one hand, I know people get upset because they think Bono has a political agenda. On the other hand, he does attempt to push these thirtysomething rich white people to consider life outside of their bubble, and that’s a good thing.

8. Is he or isn’t he? The question evangelicals have been asking for 25 years. I’m not about to make a definitive conclusion about Bono’s faith. Given his background and his life and his songs, I think it is highly likely that Bono has a strong grasp of the gospel. However, I also think he probably has some wacky Oprah-esque theology floating in there. But I’m not the final authority.

9. These guys have been around for a long time and they are still cool and relevant and interesting. There’s something great about that, in a culture that seems to only value The Next Big Thing.

10. It was so worth it. A good way to say good bye to Nashville, as we are sad the Buckinghams are moving to The Middle.