My pictures from Clemson Popmart

 
My U2 Vacation week turned out to be the greatest musical journey ever!




Memphis was a blast, got there early, listened to the soundcheck, but my
11th row seats were a bit of a disappointment, too far from the center
on the left facing the stage. It was impossible to see the b-stage
without standing on the chairs, and I was on the aisle...easy fodder for
the security guys (who were great, too many people just ignored them!) 
The audience singing "Pride" was the highlight for me, you know "The
Memphis SKYYyyYYY" was really belted out by the crowd. "Can't Help
Falling in Love" was very short, but a nice touch.....I wasn't impressed
with the sound, from my seat anyway.....but it's always great to see U2!

On Thursday, I tourned Graceland and drove to Chattanooga on the way to
Clemson. I arrived in Clemson on Friday afternoon in time for the
soundcheck, and with time to scope the place out. I found a fenced area
behind Death Valley where the roadies were and a gate with ushers
guarding it. I struck up a conversation with a couple, asked if they'd
seen anybody, but they just got there too. I went back to my car for
awhile, played some guitar, and then walked back to the gate.

I saw the couple I had been talking to, and walked toward them...I
looked up, and there was Bono, walking right up to them! I reached my
hand out and said "Bono! Nice to meet ya", he shook my hand (Whoever
said he shakes hands like a minister is right on), and then a girl asked
me to take her picture with him. BTW, he was wearing the black hooded
sweatshirt with hood on, and had those shades on. I was shaking, but
managed to take the picture and kick myself for leaving my camera in the
car! As I handed the girl her camera, Bono started to walk over to some
more fans, but before he got away, I said "Hey Bono, enjoyed y'all in
Memphis the other night!" He turned around right at me "Oh yeah? Was
the sound all right?" he grabbed his throat, "I mean with my voice and
all.." He sounded hoarse...I said "No, it was fine, I enjoyed the
audience singing along to.." and he was off to say hello to others.

I had a huge smile and a lifetime memory! U2's been my favorite half my
life (I'm 28), and it was great to have this dream come true! After
this, I expected to be let down by the concert, but then I found my
seat! Right side of the b-stage, right where the whole band plays! 

The Clemson show was much better than Memphis, and not just because of
my great seats....they just plain rocked, the sound was SUPER, and it
was the best concert experience of my life. I was right up against the
gate for most of the show ( I did let some girls in front of me, i am a
gentleman after all!, Ha!) I got some decent pictures with a disposable
camera, but I swear,they looked away every time. The security didn't
seem to care about cameras at all, but maybe they do bother the band up
that close....Sorry, but I couldn't resist!

"If You Wear That Velvet Dress" was eerie, even more so than the album
version. Edge & Bono spinning a web....
The ends of "End of the World" and "Where the Streets Have No Name" were
awesome rockers.
"Stand By Me"and "if God Will Send His Angels" were both longer than
Memphis.....The audience singalong to "Stand By Me" I think is supposed
to end in confusion and laughter, if Bono wanted to, he could lead the
crowd through it, but it looks to me like he's curious to see if the
audience will sing the ending or keep the song going.....it makes for a
great shared moment between the band and the audience!

I shared a laugh with Bono on stage! They were at the end of "With or
Without You" and Bono was leaning over right in front of me looking at
the floor, and letting out the final "Awwwwwwwww" like he does, and as
he looked up right at me (recognizing me?) I went "Awwwwww" right back
at him with a big smile on my face. He broke into a big grin, smiling
right at me! He leaned over to drink a cup of water, the looked back
down into the audience. I went "Ahhhhhh", like you do when you quence
your thirst and Bono almost did a spittake on me! I made him laugh
pretty good, and he seemed to be in a cheery mood all night.

"You gotta watch out for those fighter planes, y'all" during Bullet was
great, he said it like he was in a Bruce Willis movie! He asked the
audience "You people in Clemson are smart people aren't ya?" or
something like that, and it made me laugh, since I went to UNC, an ACC
rival school, and we used to make Clemson jokes......flame away!
He also said, "Why haven't we played here before?" near the beginning of
the concert, when the were clicking on all cylinders. At the end Bono
said "This was a great show...Thanks!" 

It was the greatest concert ever for me!