Concert Review : U2 - Under A Dark Grey Sky

It was the turn of U2 to entertain the masses at Hampden Park last night, albeit in competition with the Champions League encounter between Celtic and Arsenal on the other side of the city.

Two weeks ago I hadn't intended to go to this gig (do you still describe events of this magnitude as a mere gig?). I do really like U2 but despite owning all of their albums and concert films I never had any burning desire to see them. Not sure that I can fully articulate why that was the case but it remained the case nevertheless. However, for reasons best known to my inner being, I had checked out the website and noticed that £30 tickets were still available and, more particularly, seats available in one of the upper sections of the South Stand. I've wasted this amount on sillier things in my life so took the plunge.

I ended up going to the show last night with an increasing sense of anticipation. I think this was largely down to my decision to go being almost last minute - so often these days, you buy tickets for these show months in advance and whatever excitement may have accompanied the emptying of your wallet had dissipated with the passing months before the event.

Given my seat I had also downgraded my expectations about how much I was going to see but was more than comforted by the publicity that had accompanied the announcement of the tour as it was clear that the screens would allow a good view of what was going on regardless of how gnomic the band appeared on stage.

Having arrived at Hampden and made my way up the escalators to the section that my seat was in the first surprise that I had was how comfy the seat was and also the presence of quite generous legroom. However, our travel arrangements had proved a little too efficient as we still managed to catch the last number played by the risible Glasvegas. Oh well, I can't get everything right.

The seat gave a grand view of the substantial stage - the main area in the centre with the surrounding walkway linked to the front area by movable runways. The screens were positioned all round the top of the claw structure and allowed a closer feel for what was happening during the show. It also allowed a super view of the crowd packed onto the pitch as well. All in all, one of the best set of cheap seats that I've ever had the pleasure of sitting in.

At just after 2020hrs, U2 took to the stage having been introduced by David Bowie's Space Oddity. Rather audaciously, they opened with four numbers in a row from the latest album, the very fine indeed No Line On The Horizon. After this, Edge started to pick out the opening of Beautiful Day followed by Bono with the first verse. As the chorus approached you really could feel the atmosphere in the stadium and that when the chorus kicked in that the place would explode. It did.

This was followed by a rousing version of Elevation which paved the way for one of the more remarkable incidents in my concert going career. Bono asked for the crowds assistance as Edge played the introduction to I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - the Hampden Choir may be a little silent at the football these days but the sound of the audience leading the way on this was simply awesome. I'm not sure about the hairs on the back of my neck, but I had more than a tear in my eye. Luckily for those around me, I didn't join in.

The whole show was full of similar incidents. You could see from the crowd on the pitch that the band had the audience by the short and curlies and weren't likely to be letting go any time soon. Even up in the lofty climes of the Upper Tier of the South Stand the place was bouncing. It was, quite simply, a display of pure, unalloyed joy and a hugely emotional experience to be a part of.

All this despite the fact that the sound was a little muddy from our vantage point. Indeed, during a performance of Walk On dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi the PA gave in leaving the band continuing to perform on stage for a minute or so until the sound was restored.

The individual members of the band made full use of the walkway and it meant that there were occasions when the four musicians were quite considerable distances from one another. This included Larry Mullen during a remix version of I'm Going To Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy tonight - all held together by backing rhythm track.

The show moved to a conclusion with a series of the band's prodigious catalogue of anthems. During the encores we got a mix of classics (One, With Or Without You) and lesser known songs (Acrobat, Moment Of Surrender). My only complaint would be that Bono didn't treat the vocals to With Or Without You with appropriate seriousness as he was more intent with playing with the suspended microphone to detriment of his performance.

All in all, a terrific night and I am mightily pleased that I made the decision to go. Now I can't wait for the inevitable concert film from the tour.