Thanks to Sarah Richardson for sharing with us her first-ever concert experience as she joined her father, Michael (see his blog entry below) at the last U2 show in Sydney. She does mention about Bono bringing up 3 of his cousins onstage (a question posed on the @U2 blog.)
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“This is a bad concert, especially if it’s the first concert you’ve ever been to. Nothing will ever be as good.” Those were the words of a lady standing next to me in line, as I queued for the U2 concert. I have to admit that she was right; I don’t think anything will live up to the concert on Monday night. It was awesome!

The wait seemed to go on forever, although in reality it was only about 6 or 7 hours. I had heard so much from my dad about Friday’s concert that I just couldn’t wait. The only question was; could I get into the inner sanctum? After a late start, the gates didn’t open until 5:45; there was a rush to get to the inner sanctum. We made it! We ended up about ten rows back from the centre of the stage. Then the wait began again.

Before we could see U2, we had to sit back and watch Kanye West. There is a reason I bought ear plugs! To be honest I give him credit as an artist, he just wasn’t the right artist to open for U2. For you young people out there, it’s like having My Chemical Romance open for Rhianna.

Then finally the time came for U2 hit the stage. Larry, Adam and The Edge walked on stage, but where was Bono? He came running onstage with the Australian flag wrapped around his shoulders, while the band played the opening chords to City of Blinding Lights. Without as much as a word to the crowd he began to sing. True to the name of the name of the song the lights were blinding.

Without breaking momentum the band broke into Vertigo. It was an entirely new experience to see 70,000 people counting to four in Spanish, and using the hand signals that go along with it. Next came Elevation, and the screaming of the song didn’t stop. I learnt a valuable lesson here, do not be a small person in a crowded mosh pit unless you plan to mosh! Wonder how Bono coped when he was younger?

Bono broke into one of several Kylie snap shots with Spinning Around; he would later try his hand at Lucky. Still on a high from Sunday night I wonder? A shock to the crowd came when the Band launched into I Will Follow. Many people cheered and joined to jump in. This song is older than I am, but growing up with my dad ensured that I still knew the words, so the singing began again.

The next number to hit the set was New Year’s Day; this was followed by Beautiful Day. Interacting with the crowd, Bono changed the refrain to include references to the Opera House, Sydney, New South Wales and finally us here at the Telstra Stadium. The crowd got a kick out of that one!

Another crowd pleaser came in Still haven’t found. Here, for a short time, Bono pulled onstage three of his young cousins. This wasn’t the last time crowd members joined him on stage. We them broke into Angel of Harlem, followed by Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own. Straight after this came Love and Peace Or Else, here Bono pulled on a headband/blindfold which he later told us said Coexist. Bono pointed out that in the spelling out the word Coexist, there was a Muslim sign, the Star of David, and The Cross of Christ.

Sunday Bloody Sunday saw another youngster, about 10, pulled on the stage. Sean was asked to yell out “No More” several times and remained on the stage for the duration of the song. We were asked to “imagine that Sean’s generation was the one to Make Poverty History.” This was the first of many mentions of the poverty that rocks this world. The Band then started up Bullet the Blue Sky which was followed by Miss Sarajevo.

My dad was over the moon with the introduction to Pride, yet another oldie that I know the words to. Next came one of my personal favorites Where the Streets have no name. Especially in a crowd this is a touching song. After this Bono asked us to pull out our mobiles. The lights went off and everywhere you looked you could see mobile’s raised. We were asked to join the campaign and Make Poverty History. We sms’d our name to 191 221. (For those of you who want to join the campaign.)

The Band took another break here, before coming back with an encore set of Until the end of the World, Mysterious Ways, and With or Without You. During this song, Bono pulled an ecstatic girl in her early twenties to the stage and kissed her hand. He sang With or Without You while kneeling in front of her, the look on her face was priceless.

Another short break before the band came back with The Saints are Coming. The energy in the crowd was pounding. Next they brought back another old favourite, Party Girl and the show was finished with Kite. The send off was so moving, they had a kite which they flew, before setting it free on “I know that this it not goodbye.”

Bono asked us not to forget them. He told us other bands would come and go, but he asked us to keep them as number one. He said “Do they not think that we will come back.” Maybe this is a hint that there will not be such a big gap between tours. I certainly hope so.

For my first concert it was absolutely awesome. There was so much energy, all of the band got into it. The view was amazing, and the band lived out and surpassed my expectations. The merchandise available was great (just ask my mother, she has to pay the bill) I will never forget my first concert. I will never forget U2.