Tuesday, 15 September 2009

• Currently No Line On The Horizon By U2 see related

  U2 Concert - Thoughts and Impressions

  Having moved out of downtown Chicago I always enjoy driving back into the skyline of the windy city. On Sunday I had a special reason to make a visit downtown––A U2 concert.
  
  I remember being in high school and the fascination of discovering the tunes of U2 . I was a young kid in the south of Romania singing what I thought were the right lyrics to the songs of my new favorite bands. If you would have told me back then that nine years later I would be sitting 25 feet away from Bono and The Edge I would have given you a blank stare, unless you would have said it in Romanian and use meters instead of feet. Then I would have flipped out!
  
  While we were in line for the concert I whipped out a book I need to read for a class, to make good use of time. I wasn’t even one page into my writing when a girl behind me asked me what I was reading. I politely answered that I was reading a book on counseling and if she had any issues to discuss with me she would have to wait until I finished the book. We then sparked a great conversation with her and her boyfriend. It was one of the few interactions I have had with people outside of the Evangelical bubble that I have been in for most part of my six years in the States. It was energizing to talk to them about their lives, values, culture, career, family and other things. We did not get to the Gospel but I do feel I had a chance to explain how my relationship with Christ is the motivation for my life, for coming across the world for school and for planning to return next year.
  
  Our tickets were in the general seating area. This meant we were in the area on the field in front of the stage. So there was the potential to be real close to the stage. The concert started at 7:00PM so we got there at 3:30PM. When we got there the line was about a mile long so we did not think we would get anywhere close. But once we got in we were surprised to see that we actually had gotten pretty close.
  
  Once we made it in, it all seemed surreal. It was like a boy from the village going to Great America or like a young boy from Romania seeing the skyline of Chicago for the first time. Here we were… standing 25 feet away from the stage where U2 would be performing in about two hours.
  
  The stage was themed after the bottom of a spaceship. The lights, smoke, effects were by far the best I have ever seen in concert. The opening bid was performed by Snow Patrol. I did not know their music very well but I enjoyed them. Once they were done, it was dark outside, the stadium was filled to the brim and we were all eagerly waiting… for the four legendary Irishmen.
  
  They opened with a song called Breathe. Did I mention that the whole thing seemed surreal. I mean I have seen them on youtube, I have listened to their music on my laptop, iPod, my car, heard it in commercials and listened to it at the mall. But now, it was right in front of me, at a deafening volume, vibrating my lungs, and taking most of the horizon. Amazing!––might be an understatement. The concert lasted for 2 1/2 hours. There were times when the music was too loud, but I guess that’s how these concerts are. We jumped sang along, and wondered at the wee-little man from Ireland doing his bid. It was a good concert with a tribute to Aung San Suu Kyi. They sang Sunday Bloody Sunday with a reference to Iran’s street fighting and ‘One’ as an incentive to get involved in the battle for Africa.
  
  The U2 concert was most likely a once in a life time opportunity. It made me think of the one time experiences that will make your life different for the rest of its length. I have been listening to U2 music with different years. Every time I hear the tunes and lyrics it brings me back to that Sunday night, when I sat 25 feet away from Bono. I don’t have too many experiences like this one. But the ones I have are definitely helping me enjoy the present in light of the great opportunities of the past. Thank you Joshua for inviting me. I made a brief clip with a video I took of their opening song and a few pictures from the concert. I apologize for the quality (or lack thereof). I had a small handheld camera, severely outdated. But I hope you enjoy reading about the good things from my life.
  
  

  U2 Concert from Filip Ologeanu on Vimeo.

  
  
  

  • 9:32 PM
  • 41 Views
  • 2 eProps
  • 1 Comment