As the sun rises on a Thursday, my ears are still ringing from the rock music thousands of us heard last night. Opening night jitters were definitely a thing of the past. This band ROCKED! The vibe was different from the get-go - there was a fan vibe going on.

The @U2 crew (Steve, Phil, and myself) as well as a few friends (Joe, Becky and Sandy) decided to spend the day in the GA line, tailgating. We saw on the local FOX-TV news that there were only 69 people in line at 8 a.m., so we knew we’d be reasonably close in the line. When we arrived at the arena around 9:00, I met the keepers of the GA line, and had written on my hand “151″ with a sharpie. Not bad, considering that for opening night, there was over double that at that time of day.

After several trips across the street to the local Target to buy various items (chairs, sports drinks, aloe), we were set for a day in the GA line. The local security team was outstanding. They kept everyone in the line well informed, and well behaved. U2’s security also did a fantastic job in setting up the GA line and making sure that the fanclub folks were able to have their own line. Personally, that’s a great added benefit for your $40 annual membership fee.

We had a hope that because the band didn’t stop on opening night to sign autographs that they’d do it when they arrived - seeing as the “pure, unadulterated fear of opening night” was a thing of the past (according to Paul McGuinness). So, we strolled over to the band’s entrance. There, we saw the same folks who were waiting so patiently on opening night, including a family who’s daughter’s one wish was to meet Bono. By the time the band arrived, there were well over 60 people lined up behind the barricade. Edge came out and met with everyone, signing autographs - not stopping as time was of the essence. (There never does seem to be enough time when your rock idols meet with you, is there?) Edge did take the time to meet with this family and spend the time with their ailing little girl. After he left, she was in awe of who she just met.

Bono arrived, sitting in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, and rolled down the window. The fans kept asking him to come out, so he checked how he looked in the mirror, adjusted his shades, then made his way out of the car. By this point, he was already 15 minutes late and really didn’t have time to be doing the “fan thing.” We were towards the front of the line, and unfortunately, the car dropped him off in the middle of it - the family at the front of the queue saw what was going on and wondered if he’d come down to our end. Security said no, and that her only chance to meet him was to go to where he was - quite a distance down the line. Thanks to the help of many fans who knew how important it was for this little girl, they were able to make their way through the group - Bono was so generous with his time for her. He signed her hat and her sign that spoke of her dream to meet him. He signed it “2005 is our year, love Bono.” The joy in her face after meeting him was contageous. I was so happy for her and her family. Here’s their photo:

Another fan, Iker Dupeyron from Mexico City was so excited to meet Edge and Bono. He gave Bono his rosary beads while getting his shirt autographed. Iker was lucky enough to win “bomb shelter” access when his ticket was scanned, finding himself front-row, center inside the ellipse. When Bono saw him during City of Blinding Lights, he tugged at the rosary beads and showed them to Iker - he was wearing his rosary beads! Then, during Miracle Drug, Bono asked if anyone knew any spanish and could translate “Love is the drug” into Spanish. He motioned to Iker, and without hesitating, Iker leaped on stage (stumbling at first) and proceeded to translate for Bono. Bono told him to speak calmly and clearly, which was what he did. After the show, I caught up with Iker, and he said that the shirt he wore has been to 4 different U2 tours, and now it will need to be framed and never worn again. He said this was the best day of his life. (It would be too if I were him!). Here’s Iker on stage, and afterwards:

The concert goers were also different - you didn’t have the Opening Night crowd consisting of industry/media types. Just about everyone there could be classified a “die-hard fan” of one type or another. The show U2 gave us last night was full of surprises - Gloria and With or Without You (my apologies for the people around me when I was screaming “Oh my GOD!!!”). The show flowed beautifully - far better than opening night. You didn’t have a chance to catch your breath - each song came at us with a force that couldn’t be contained. The fans were singing along - helping Bono at times, Larry was laughing (can you believe that?). There were veterans of rock and roll in front of us, and they were still performing in the wrong key during 40 - and it all seemed so right (even though in Bono’s ear, it was so wrong).

You’ll read the fan reviews on U2Tours.com and in the various mailing lists you may be a part of. The relaxed nature of the band coupled with the exuberance of the fans made this show rock! Seriously - what we all witnessed last night was a ROCK CONCERT pure and simple. I can not wait to see them in Boston next!

I do have a special word of thanks for someone who generously took their time to ask “why?” when told that last night’s show was better than opening night. Paul, thank you for letting this fan give an on-the-spot concert review.

It’s been a pleasure reporting from sunny San Diego - this is where I get off the tour route for a little while. Thank you to all who came up to me with their thanks for @U2 and stories of how the band has changed their lives. Truly inspirational. I look forward to catching up with it again in Boston - if I thought last night’s show was loud….the Boston crowd will bring the house down. More at the end of May! Take care everyone