Bono arriving at Fleet Center - May 28, 2005
Originally uploaded by atu2.

The end of the first leg of U2’s Vertigo tour brought a few suprises. Here are the highlights (in random order):

Talking with Dennis Sheehan, fans in Europe can expect a bigger stage and more songs added to the setlist. He said that the band has been practicing an accoustic set to add to the stadium shows.

U2 fan Jason Royal asked his girlfriend to marry him during Beautiful Day. He said, “Well, Beautiful Day started and I was thinking to myself, ‘this is it’ I turned her around about half way through and I said to her ‘Do you know the main reason I brought you here tonight’? and she said ‘No’ so I said
‘There is something that I want to ask you!!’ Immediately her face lit up. I took her hand and put the ring on her finger and asked her. I know she didn’t hear me but I know that she knew what I had asked. She said yes. and Immediately started to cry, her face went from a big smile to a ‘Happy Cry’ which also got me teary eyed. After the concert we talked and by the way she talked to me I can tell she is happiest as can be. It could have not been any more perfect.” Good job, Jason!

At the end of One, instead of showing the names of people who had texted UNITE, they showed video and names of the U2 Vertigo crew as a thank you for everything during the first leg.

Starting with the Fly through the end of the show, Bono sang with a black feather boa around his neck.

Larry’s right elbow was taped up quite a bit - I hope the tendonitis hasn’t started bothering him again.

Jim Henke, curator at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, was in attendance at the show, and given props during Pride. Henke said that the Rock Hall is really excited with their new Tommy exhibit and there’s hope that they may be able to get Pete Townsend to some in for a special talk with fans. He also said that his work on the U2 by U2 book has been completed and has been passed on. (Henke wrote the introduction to the book, due out sometime next year).

The original setlist did not include Party Girl or the encore of Vertigo. The original setlist had Yahweh, then 40.

Bono announced from the stage about how he was happy to have received the warm welcome from Boston with bringing the weather of home back (as it was raining and in the 40s all week), but that he loved the sun and the warmth (which we finally had on Saturday). He mentioned that Larry and Edge had both been sick all week as well.

At the end of Yahweh, Bono showed to everyone the Proclamation from the City of Boston and Mayor Tom Menino announcing that May 24 was U2 Day in the city of Boston. Bono said, “We want it to be U2 for Life - this is is normally something you get once you’re dead!” He also said “Larry Mullen enjoys this.” He then was given a bottle of champagne, which immediately lost its cork. He took a sip, then proceeded to spray those in the ellipse with the it, breaking into Party Girl.

Bono closed the show by announcing the band as “The almighty Larry Mullen, Jr., seated at the right hand of Adam Clayton, and there’s the Edge.” He also said “See you in the fall.”

Overall, the audience was the loudest it’s been since June 9, 2001’s Elevation show in Boston. Everyone was singing along, sometimes drowning out Bono.