U2 360 Pasadena Concert

05 Nov

I remember it like it was yesterday. “What music do you like?”, asked Mike Hahn, as he brushed his too long, skater hair from his face. in my mind, he was one of the coolest kids on the block, because he could do HoHos, and Judo Airs off the neighborhood launch ramp. I wanted to say something impressive, but I also didn’t really know what that was. At the time, my musical world consisted mostly of Petra, Steve Taylor, and Leon Patillo. But I had heard this really cool band recently, that I couldn’t stop listening too. It was like nothing else I had ever heard. They made me, at the ripe old age of 10, want to move to Ireland. “U2,” I replied, to which I received the cool kid stamp of approval. And thus began my life long musical love affair.

Many years later, they are still my favorite band. What I am constantly amazed at, is how good their earliest albums still sound. I listen to Boy and October, and can’t believe that they were able to produce such timeless music, at 18-19 years old. The production, from one perspective may sound dated, but from another, can sound like a lot of current music that eschews high-end studio polish, in favor of very raw, yet atmospheric qualities. They have grown, musically and lyrically, but what they did right from the start was to be as honest as possible about who they are, and what they can do. Later in their career, they have done that more tongue-in-cheek, at times, but they have always been true to themselves.

The Pasadena stop of the U2 360 tour, afforded me my third chance to see them live, and it was every bit as incredible as I had hoped it would be. It was a night I will never forget, as my 6-year old son Luke accompanied me, my beautiful wife Candice, and one of my best-friends (Floodgate’s own Jason Rowe), on a beautiful October night at the Rose Bowl. Jason observed that He had never seen so many people in a good mood, all in the same place. Indeed, everyone was in a good mood, and we we’re all treated to an historic concert event, streamed live to the world, via YouTube.

Another of U2’s consistently amazing feats, is their ability to take some of the most over the top, extravagant stage sets, and make it feel completely intimate. I think, its their passion, and energy that reaches out and grabs you, and really connects on a very human level. You can tell that they believe in the music they are performing. Its a great balance between having a blast, and putting everything they have out there. Its true that Adam and Larry are more reserved, but that serves as a sort of charming reality of this band’s personality. And keeping four different personalities committed to a singular vision, is no small miracle. To be a part of something so large, and not let it affect their friendships is truly inspiring.

Their latest album, No Line on the Horizon, is to me I think, their greatest album since Achtung Baby. And in fact it reminds me of that album in many ways. Not so much sonically, although there are similarities, but in approach, depth, and presence. I have gone back to the seminal Achtung Baby album several times after listening to the new one, and am reminded of what great material is there.

I’m not saying anything new to say what a great time and spirit of worship there was at a U2 concert. Maybe that goes without saying at this point. I think what I took away uniquely at this concert was how much we are all the same. Our tastes, views, and preferences that we think make us so different, all stem from very human and elemental places, that actually connect us together. Our yearnings, our joy, pain, anger, elation, whether we realize it or not, are a part of the way that God made us to function, and tie us to Him, and each other. Its at moments like these, where no one stops to think about worship through the traditional lenses, and contexts that so often filter and restrain us from authentic spiritual experiences. Sacred and secular, us and them dichotomies, lose all meaning, and it comes down to, human/spiritual beings, responding to a very human/spiritual experience. And we all lift our voices in unison, singing “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch, like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found. Was blind, but now I see.”