Load-in has begun in San Diego!

We bumped into Brad Dier at 1:55 a.m. PST, a fan who has the honor of being #1 in the General Admission line in the parking lot of the iPayOne Center in San Diego. When Brad was asked why he’s in a GA line at this time of night, he said, “Well, you know there’s a lottery,” acknowledging that he and the other 60 fans who were camping out in the parking lot may be shut out of where they’d ideally like to be in the General Admission section.

Thankfully, the glow of the nearby Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop kept their GA line illumniated, along with the random lights in the parking lot of the arena.

Honey I’m home
Originally uploaded by la_vation.

Flickr user “la_vation” has generously shared some photos of Bono taken Saturday outside the L.A. Sports Arena. These are pretty obviously from the afternoon, prior to the dress rehearsal. But you fashion watchers will be able to see the black jacket/shirt combo Sherry referenced in her blog post below.

Make sure you join @U2’s Flickr Group for access to these and a lot of other great photos!

And if you’re planning to be taking photos along the way this year, we invite you to share them with our Flickr group, too.

Thanks la_vation for this set!

(confetti, wristband and yummy cadbury’s egg in our Easter Baskets this year)

I am still shell-shocked and in awe of the rehearsal last night. To put everything into context for those of you wondering how some @U2 staff got in last night, we were hanging out with fans outside of the back VIP entrance to the arena. We had missed the band by about 45 minutes, but for those who were lucky enough to meet with them, they were told that if they were calm and the crowd didn’t grow to be too big, that they might be allowed in. At 5:30 p.m., security came out and told us all we had THREE minutes to drop off our phones, cameras, bags, etc. in our car and then line up single-file to be lead into the gated entrance for the rehearsal. (I’ve never seen people run so fast near the LA Colisseum since Carl Lewis won 4 gold medals there in the 1984 Olympics).

(The Coliseum is right next to the Sports Arena).

We were patted down, wanded, then wristbanded as we were entering the arena - boys on the left, girls on the right. We were then told to go to Section 16. When we sat in the seats, the radio winners were directly across from us. Throughout the night, there were special lights on the 2 sections, and people were judging crowd reaction. The radio winners probably represented the “joe-average” fan…our section could be classified as the “uber” fan: those who would in any weather wait for them anywhere. The difference in the 2 sections were just about night-and-day at points in the show.

Having the show start off with City of Blinding Lights with the confetti flying around - it was like Times Square on New Years Eve. One point: if you’re on the floor, be careful…the confetti IS slippery. Production people had leaf blowers to get the confetti off the stage, so if it was slippery for the band, it’ll be slippery for you. Just something to keep in mind.

As for what the band was wearing: Bono was dressed in his typical black TShirt, black pants and black jacket. Adam was looking as posh as ever with a white dress shirt with very sharp, pointed collar underneath a v-neck sweater and a pair of what looked like black jeans. Edge was wearing blue jeans, typical skull cap and white tshirt. Larry - well, you’ve seen what he’s worn at EVERY MAJOR EVENT he’s been at. I just have one question for Larry: what happened to the other clothes you own? Variety *is* the spice of life, you know….we know you look good in that shirt - I’m sure you’ll look even better in something else too

At the end of the rehearsal, Bono asked us what we thought. He was expecting cheering, clapping, and screaming. The arena was silent. The silence was deafening. For the people in our section, our jaws were on the floor because we could NOT believe we were hearing 40 with Adam on guitar, Edge on bass. Our section’s silence was because we were in complete shock, awe, amazement, and utter bewilderment. You left us speechless, as you always do, Bono.

Dear U2 and staff,

I would like to take an opportunity to thank you and your entire staff & road crew.

On behalf of all of the fans who have traveled around the world to follow you for the past decade or two, tonight (3/26) reminded all of us of your graciousness, your generocity, and your commitment to your fanbase. As you know, we fans ask for a lot - too much at times. We ask you for your personal space, your autographs, a moment in time in your life. For those who work for you, we ask for answers, permissions, and most of all - access at some level to the band. You’ve been patient with us, and you continue to provide surprises for us - surprises that will last a lifetime.

Tonight was magic - warts and all. Your gift to us tonight - allowing us the ability to see inside of the process - how a production gets pulled together - was something that this fan will cherish. Personally, I understand that there are times where the black cat isn’t ready to be let out of the bag, and I know there will be surprises left for all of us for opening night and throughout the tour. You provided us with a glimpse into your creative process, as well as your continued commitment to your craft.

Being able to experience songs that haven’t been performed in what seems to be eons - dusting off the classics while putting new spins on fan favorites is something we’ve been craving for. Trust me - people will be losing bodily functions when you break into Electric Co. That one song has been the buzz online since Vancouver rehearsals.

To U2: the tour’s production and setlist speak to the fans so openly and generously - your hearts are still being worn on your sleeves, and those who have been following you for quite some time will be able to experience that emotional rollercoaster you provide for all of us. You continue to follow in the tradition of Sinatra where you pour yourselves over a PA system. (For example, having Edge sing the last full verse of Miracle Drug tonight - generous). Thank you for continuing to push the boundaries with the music, the visuals, and for having the right people taking care of things for you. Based on what I just witnessed tonight, this is the best live show you’ve put together yet…warts and all. This is what the fans have been dreaming about since the Joshua Tree tour. (Well, that and a rotating setlist - but I believe that’s one of your surprises you have waiting for us).

Happy Easter to all of you and your families. Here’s to the kickoff of the tour - and to spending the next year following y’all around. And, if you ever need someone to help out on tambourine during All Because of You, I’d like to offer my services :-).

Oh one other thing - thank you for the Cadbury’s Creme Eggs on the way out!

Long live the Dalton Brothers!