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Vertigo

10 Jul 2005

Paris, FR / Stade De France

Another emotional night as Parisians rock the Stade de France.

A second great night in Paris from the moment the band arrive during 'Wake Up' to the time they leave with a second performance of Vertigo.

'These are 2 concerts that we will never forget,' exclaims a delighted Bono at the end of Beautiful Day. 'Last night was amazing and so is tonight.'

Just a few songs in and the French are giving it everything - including following Bono's lead and swaying their arms left and right in time to the music during New Year's Day.

'Who's the man?' asks Bono of Edge, during his solo, and the crowd roars appreciation.

'See the world in Black and Blue/ Stade de France right in front of you' he extemporises during Beautiful Day, before the band transpose the track into a George Harrison classic. 'Here Comes The Sun, Little Darlin', Here comes The Sun, It's alright...'

Miracle Drug is another cause for celebration tonight with Bono inviting everyone to sing Happy Birthday to godchild Holly - 21 tonight. And after a raucous English rendition - 'En Francais!' - an equally raucous French interpretation. 'Bon Anniversaire!'

U2 have played this city so many times and it has fond memories for Bono of his late father Bob Hewson, who, as usual, finds 'Sometimes' dedicated to his memory. 'This is for my father Bob Hewson, a working class man who loved opera. 'I was with my father in this city 10 years ago. He drank me under the table and took me to my bed. As I drifted to sleep I could hear him singing opera.'

In honour of the memory, the song closes with Bono too singing opera-style, much to the appreciation of the audience.

Later and another capital city, just across the water, also gets special mention, following last Thursday's terrorist attacks.

'Sing this for the city of London,' he requests as the band play in Running To Stand Still. A huge cheer goes up. 'This song we are turning into a prayer. The prayer is that we do not turn into a monster in order to defeat a monster.'

And as with the previous night, once again the stadium bursts into a flickering church of holy lights, a moving denouement to the first part of the show as the UN Declaration of Human Rights begins to scroll up the back of the stage.

There were more special effects during Pride - when this very creative audience started throwing up hundreds of white ballons again - and also With Or Without You, when one lucky girl got to come out and dance with the singer.

Thanks Paris for two great nights in July 2005.