U2 delivered an electrifying performance in the Ravens’ crib, aka M&T Bank Stadium on Wednesday night and I have to say I’m still energized by the performance. The energy in and around M&T Bank Stadium was intoxicating and that had nothing to do with all of the tailgating going on. Ok, maybe it had something to do with it but that won’t diminish the stature of this red letter day in our city’s history.

Here are a few observations…

THE GOOD

·         One might expect bottlenecks in the queue leading into the stadium similar to those prior to Ravens’ games. Instead and to my delight ticket holders walked in freely without the criminal-like pat downs during football season.

·         U2’s 360 stage, something that Star Wars might be interested in when the band no longer wants it, looked like a gargantuan Alaskan King Crab during the daylight but when the sun when down and its lights came on, it was an off-the-hook technological spectacle that somehow made a packed stadium seem intimate.

·         The band was in great form and perhaps energized by the rest in between performances (last gig was June 18 in Anaheim, CA). Bono’s vocals couldn’t have been better and the band effortlessly glides with and feeds off each other.

·         In my opinion the best song performances were: “I Will Follow”, “Where The Streets Have No Name”, “I Still Haven’t Found” and the mini-set from Achtung Baby to open the show

·         Gabrielle Giffords' husband Mark Kelly’s introduction of “Beautiful Day” was innovative and fitting.

·         Bono’s dedication to Clarence Clemons was a very heartfelt touch of class.

THE BAD

·         Not including “Bad” in the set list was a head scratching omission. That’s on par with going to see Bruce Springsteen and never hearing “Born to Run.”

THE UGLY

·         Federal Hill bars were so ill-equipped to handle the patrons – or should I say potential patrons. We breezed through several establishments that were about as poised as Kyle Boller facing a blitz. Each seemed staffed for another hum-drum Wednesday afternoon. I guess they didn’t get the memo, watch local news or visit our Facebook page during for the previous 48 hours.

THE OUTSTANDING (aka The Megan Fox Award)

·         Stadium management without a doubt brought its “A” Game and the sea of humanity that filled M&T more than ever before was respectfully raucous and the band was clearly appreciative.

Special thanks to Mort Shuman and Ron Ordansa for their significant contributions to our U2 360 Tour Photo Gallery.