'Oh Nebraska!'
That's what Bono was calling out as the show kicked off in Omaha last night. Beautiful performances ocf Original of the Species, Miss Sarajevo and Crumbs From Your Table were among the highlights, songs that weren't in the show when the tour opened in the Spring. Here's some more colour from the show - and what they played.
For Hayley's generation,' said Bono, during Bullet The Blue Sky, referring to the little blonde girl who climbed onto the stage from the front of the ellipse. 'Outside its America... Omaha, Nebraska.'
Miss Sarajevo was introduced with a memory of the city. 'A great Example of CoeXisT,' said Bono, 'Very good about living around each other.The people defended themselves with whatever they could...a black sense of humour goes a long way.'
This one was originally recorded with Luciano Pavarotti, he added: 'Big man, big voice. He's not here - I'm a poor stand-in but I'll give it a shot.'
Streets, within seconds, found everyone pulling out their cellphones and 'turning the arena into a Christmas tree, a C21st Christmas tree.'
It's a moment for Bono to remember people he wants to express thanks too as Christmas arrives and the tour of North America comes to a close. He mentions, 'the tribe of Buffet' referring to the financier Warren Buffet and family, and also 'The Gates Foundation, The Shrivers...'
'The truth is Omaha, this where were having our Christmas party tomorrow,' he explains of the DATA gathering. 'Thanks for listening to me, thanks for listening to us.
'A great county
'Casinos to churches
'Rock stars to hip hop stars...'
Here's what they played:
City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
I Will Follow
Still Haven't Found
Beautiful Day
Original of the Species
Sometimes you Can't Make it On Your Own
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride in the Name of Love
Where the Streets have no Name
One
Until the End of the World
Mysterious Ways
With or Without You
Stuck in a Moment
Crumbs From Your Table
Yahweh
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