Brian Jones/Las Vegas News Bureau
U2 performs at Sam Boyd Silver Bowl Stadium in Las Vegas on Oct. 23, 2009.
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 | 2:09 a.m.
Bono during a sound check before Friday's concert at Sam Boyd Stadium.
You know there's a party going on when Bill Clinton shows up.
Yes, the 42nd President of the United States was in attendance at U2's starship spectacular at Sam Boyd Stadium Friday night. And so was Dr. Dre.
But for more than two hours the spotlight was trained solely on U2, which rolled through three decades of hits to rousing applause from a packed house. As Bono put it half way through the set: "We got old songs. We got new songs. We got songs we can barely play. We got a spaceship. Are you ready for the ride?"
We all were.
Namechecking Vegas lounge acts, old and new, Bono said: "All performers, some of us end up on our knees, but we all come to Las Vegas."
Bono may have ended up on his knees, but not in desperation. U2 turned in an inspirational, intimate stadium gig that left the band drained at the altar of rock and roll. No small feat.
Word to the crowd: "One" is not a love song.
Sun Coverage
- U2 concert a full-scale spectacle, on and off the Sam Boyd Stadium stage (10-24-2009)
- Bill Clinton in Las Vegas, plans to see U2 concert (10-23-2009)
- Notes before U2 notes: VinnyFest at N.Y.-N.Y., a fine(d) move by Musicians Union (10-23-2009)
- Glitches, technology and tears pepper U2’s Las Vegas legacy (10-22-2009)
- Tickets released for sold-out U2 show at Sam Boyd (10-22-2009)
- Sun Events: U2 at Sam Boyd Stadium
Find a full review in Monday’s edition of the Las Vegas Sun.
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