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This 3 day voyage all started about 3 months ago (2001) trying to get opening night tickets for U2 in Florida. It ended with me typing by the poolside in Florida at a half rate hotel joined by an Australian who is working in England and his ex-flat mate who flew in for the weekend. In between is a great concert and amazing people all around.

            I don’t want to bore with details (somehow this report is already too long), so I will try my best to do what I can about retelling events. (Btw, Mike, he’s the Australian in for the weekend, has 20 postcards out, sitting by the pool, and listening to live U2 from other years… amazing world we live in.)

            After a failed attempt to get tickets on the opening day of ticket sales, I wavered. I think I was more depressed then anything else… after all, I was part of four trying from up and down the east coast trying to get good seats for opening night and failed. However, I relocated Mike after 5 years, he convinced me to go with him and his flat mate (Danielle) to opening night. I am glad he did. Flight secured for a Friday to Monday stay, I then got an offer from William Miller to crash at a place he had arranged in Ft. Lauderdale. Which turned out to be a godsend in terms of location and connivance for me. Then I waited… seems like a theme now… but I had General Admission tickets secured, a flight, and places to stay. (I even added in Orioles spring training as a bonus!) Now I waited for rehearsal and see what the band would play.

            The week before the concert, I think it finally hit me that I was going to opening night. Things were in place, just about everyone I knew from the on-line world would be there, and I could settle up some issues, talk shop and generally be rabid fans in mass. What could be better?!

            Friday morning comes and fortunately my housemate had the day off and supplied the lift from our place to BWI airport where I needed catch the little hop to Philadelphia airport to get to Ft. Lauderdale airport. (Got that?) About the only thing notable from Baltimore to Philly was 1. the stewardess and 2. the air turbulence. Sat around the Philly airport, had a crappy cheese steak, which I thought should be against the law there, but what can you do? Then the two-hour flight to Ft. Lauderdale.

            Got in, went straight to the car rental place, and I realized the guy behind me was speaking Russian. I think it was a theme for the weekend because everywhere in Florida there were plenty of other languages being spoken, and I am not talking about Spanish or the U2 fans. The rental guy shafted, errrrr shifted me out of the Ford Ranger that I thought I was going to get, but I was in no mood to put up a fight or sit and wait for one to become available. So a Toyota Corolla it was… Generic yahoo. Once in the car I popped in ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’, put down the windows cause it was 70 degrees at 7pm, and cranked up Beautiful Day. Off I went to find William and Debbie Miller’s place.

            30 minutes of extra travel time, and visiting most of northern Ft. Lauderdale, I located where they were. I was very shocked to find out they got shafted on their room, but went out and BOUGHT an air mattress and sheets for me. (Shocked I tell you, shocked.) William consistently apologized for the housing, but I didn’t care! I was 24 hours from opening night! We then went to a steakhouse for dinner, and some muscle bound overly tanned guy the next table over speaking French. (See, I told you it was a theme with the foreign languages)

            We made arrangements for Sunday so I could get back in the room, and I packed and went to Miami International Airport to find flight 989 from NYC. Parking and locating the terminal was not hard, but the walk was a tad long. (two of the three moving walk ways were shut down going to the terminal) I got to the terminal, and on the TV they were doing an interview/report for U2. Had to be a sign, and not five minutes after that Mike located me. We were in business. Off to locate the hotel and get settled so we could figure out what to do. On the way, I called Bob Reck and proceeded to chat up with other folks he was with. We decided that after we got settled, lunch and off to the arena was in order.

            The hotel we were to stay at actually over booked us… We were a bit shocked because this was a travel package deal; ya know… hotel, tickets, travel to and from the show, and dinner. We fully expected to skip everything but the hotel and show. But the hotel we got stuck with was called the Golden Nugget, and it was NOTHING like a Golden Nugget. Our breakfast was at another hotel nearby, and parking was either a $100 deposit for a remote to the gates or $7 at a parking lot. Shafted I tell you! Bought a hat for Mike, and lunch proceeded, and on to the arena!

            On the way there I called Bob Reck again and found out he was already waiting in the front of the Arena at about 1:30, and Mike Gentile and Spider were at the Hard Rock. So off to the Mall across the street to meet up with Mike and Spider, gave Spider his CDs I owed him. On to the arena, to where I located plenty of people I knew. I know I am going to forget people but here goes: Bob, Gina, Maggie, David, Ruby, Des, Oli G, Martin, Christian, Brad G, and more people than I knew would be there. I believe we just started standing in line instead of a moment there that we just said, ‘we were staying until we got wristbands for the Heart.’ The gathering we were suppose to attend in the Hard Rock would have to be missed. Besides, most everyone I needed to meet was already there. (Sorry Aaron!)

            So we waited, and then we got moved out of the little gated area in front of the arena for General Admission people only. (The only location to get in) I heard about 5 different languages while waiting there, very cool. I also took bought concert material to the car so we didn’t have to carry around the material. After about an hour of a new line, they then separated us into male and female for searches. This was at about 4pm. Interesting notes were that there was a group of about 4 Germans in front of us, three males (one of which, I swear was Edge’s cousin) and a female holding a fake sunflower (take note of this for later!) with a note. I supposed she hope to give this to Bono. It was also pretty warm out, about 75-80 degrees and bright sun.

            I would like to mention now, the speakers of the Arena played the same thing for about 3 straight hours. After the first hour, I tended to ignore it.

            Then at about 6pm, the other entrances finally opened. Searches were in order, and still the General Admission area didn’t move. It took another 10 minutes until we were to get in. But then we started moving in, YES! The searches were different with each security type. All I got was some guy checking my pockets, which I had some CDs and a wallet, and I told him so and he believed me. Mike had a FULL backpack and didn’t even have to open it. A guy next to me had his pockets turned out. Amazing…

            I got in, got a green wristband so we could get on to the floor for General Admission, and then found the entrance Into the Heart! I WAS IN!!! I found Bob Reck, gave him a high five, and Brad G… then back out with another wristband, this one red and white checkerboard, so I could get back in. Man I had to go to the bathroom. Whew. Then I realized, I had no idea if Mike and Danielle made it or not, last I saw of them was they were getting green wristbands. I got back and couldn’t find them, I had visions of them outside the Heart looking in, eep!

I found DC area types talking with Jerry Mele, who was with a cane and hobbled while he walked. It was very hard for all of us to see him like that. (For those who do not know, Jerry was in charge of U2’s security for many a tour, and finally retired last year after aggravating an old injury at Mexico City.) He did say to say thanks to everyone to sent well wishes and get well. This was his last U2 concert he said. He thanked everyone once more and shook some hands, patted me on the shoulder and went on his way. 15 minutes later, I found Mike and Danielle … they had gotten in as well. Photo opportunity!

            The Corrs came on, and well, I admit it, I hadn’t heard much from them, but they were very good. Mike, Danielle, and I spent most of the concert 2/3 of the way of the Heart section. I noticed three songs in that Paul McGuiness was in the heart with some other VIP types. I finally got up the nerve to approach him, first thanking him shaking his hand and asked: What is the policy on taping the show? His reply “Sure, Go for it.” There it was, blessing from the manager of U2 to tape the show. I proceeded to tell the other DC area types about this and if they wanted to talk to Paul M.

            I didn’t see many celebrities in the Heart or other such important people, but there were several folks floating around the Heart with VIP and friends or family on their Ids. I also noticed that there were nine; count that 9, people above the stage working lights on suspended seats to work the lights. There were also large screens to project (as it turned out) each member of the band. There were strobe lights on the inside part of the ramps, a keyboard setup on upper section of Edge’s side. There were the thin-fabric screens to drop down above us. There were also some large spotlights behind the instruments. From all so far, it was defiantly open but going to be WELL lit. I counted at about 30 media agents in the ‘photo pit’ which turned out to be the area between the inside the Heart 300 people area and the Ramps. One of which was Much music camera guy doing impromptu interviews.

We then heard the opening tunes of “Elevate My Mind” by Stereo MCs, and 30 seconds later, there they were. The band I have spent a fortune on. They just ROCKED ‘Elevation’, the entire Arena was singing. It was amazing.

(This section will be my highlights of the show, you can read the set list, and various other points about what happened, but these are my impressions of the show. I would suggest www.u2tours.com !)

• I never saw Bono fall, I thought he was crouching down on the ramp
• Adam smiled all night, very happy.
• Bono lost his glasses during the fall I suppose cause he never had any on after that.
• Sunday Bloody Sunday just, positively absolutely without a doubt rocked.

• Remember that sunflower the German girl had? Well, they got into the Heart and held it out to Bono, who took it with his teeth. And then gave it back. She was crying for much of the rest of the song. I was next to her later and just smiled cause there wasn’t much I could say.

• The rising screens were behind the band and were VERY useful. During Mysterious Way Bono was laying on one as it rose up with a ‘belly dancer’ on the screen. (More like a surreal colored shadow actually) Bono at one point stood in front of one of the raised dancers and imitated her. Very cool.
• Bono played Sweetest Thing for the first time with him on keyboards. I think it still needs polish but ought to be very cool. Bono did mention after playing that it was for Ali who got the rights to it, but got lots of money when it was a single for the Best Of for the Chernobyl children. (Very loud cheer) It was also her birthday the day before, and again he missed her birthday but she was in attendance so he sung ‘In A Little While’ for her. Very touching.
• Bono seemed to favor the right ramp when going out. (If you want to see him more) And generally went to the point, but didn’t spend much time on the left side.
• I sang with every song but ‘Ground Beneath Her Feet’ and I was certain I would lose my voice, but didn’t.
• Bono’s voice sounded great, strained at times, but great. No signs of his cold or possible problems.
• There were points which I have no idea what Bono was singing, going to have to figure that out later after listening to the concert, and there were times he messed up lyrics but I didn’t care.
• Streets ROCKED, the use of the raising screens for the background red was perfect. Bono RAN twice around the Heart, and picked up at the tip without sounding winded.
• When the thin screens dropped during New York, it looked like they projected images of steel-like guiders and rivets, which made sense for the song. But the screens worked perfectly, and the shadows it provided was an awesome effect.
• There was a small plan to sing “How Long” after ‘Walk On’ but I don’t think anyone felt it was needed. That and Bono did it for us weaving it into the lyrics.
• ‘Walk On’ was good as a closer. Though it left me pumped up, not the closure of say a ‘One’ or ‘40’ could. The projectors had (I think) the lyrics for Walk On over the crowd instead of the other images used for other songs.
• Having a cordless spotlight for Bullet added a very R+H feel to the song, and Bono spot lighting most of the upper sections was very cool
• The reworked version of ‘The Fly’ was damn good, not nearly has hard edged, but during the beginning I noticed about 4-5 large security guards push their way to the very tip of the Heart and stood there, two with headphones and mics. Later when Bono jumped in the crowd, I knew why. Seems this jump was planned.
• I am sure I missed a lot of little things, but I don’t care because … well, not everything can be relayed. If you don’t believe me, head to a U2 concert.

     Sunday arrived, Mike and I grabbed breakfast and I then found the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel paper which had a review of the concert, the Miami Herald did not have even a mention. We then went to the gift shop for postcards and then headed to the pool for some sun just because we could. Then some lunch, and I returned them to the Miami International airport for their direct flight to London. I was then back to with Debbie and William Miller for one last night in Florida. As it turned out they met Bono and Adam before and after the concert, respectively. Debbie got a kiss from each; William just got pictures and an autograph from each. (I am pretty sure they were happy with the arrangement)

I located the Orioles spring training grounds, turned out to be 5 minutes away from the hotel. I met a couple from DC at the stadium who were at the show and chatted, letting them know about bootlegs and such. I met up with the Millers again after they got back from the beach and off to dinner. We then retired to the hotel room for some TV, and somehow I fell asleep watching the Oscars. (No big loss in my book.)

I woke up early, about 7 AM, showered, said goodbye, and headed to get some autographs from the Orioles. There were only a grand total of three people (including me) at the player’s gate. I managed to get four autographs and saw a bunch of players getting in. I had to leave by 11:30 to get to the airport in time. Funny thing is, I was talking with one guy who lives locally there and is a security guard at the Arena where U2 played. Small world. The Cardinals had not shown up by the time I left, but I was pretty certain there were plenty of people who would want to be in my spot at that moment. Still, getting a Mark McGwire autograph danced in my head even driving away.

The only downer was that I had to wait for my plane to Philly, as there was a delay due to the weather in the Northeast. I had totally forgotten about bad weather being in the 70s + 80s for the last 2+ days. So I missed my flight to Baltimore and had to wait another hour and a half. At least dinner only cost me $6 for a plate of lo-mien and bourbon chicken and iced-tea in Philly, compared to the nearly $10 for a very basic sandwich and a sprite in Ft. Lauderdale’s airport. (I didn’t get the sandwich) Oh, also, at least Philly knows how to install clocks.

All I could think now, “Only 2 more months until U2 in Pittsburgh.”

Copyright Phillip Romans, Carney Maryland.
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