Triumph & Tragedy: Two Women

Triumph & Tragedy: Two Women

Last night I experienced the two most emotional moments I’ve had thus far as a U2 fan. When we planned our trip to Dublin last fall, I couldn’t have imagined that we’d be there to witness either of them. These moments were more special than any concert; this wasn’t about the music. Or about Bono – they were about two very special women who have both made the world a better place.

We were lucky enough to have “Electric Burma” fall on one of the 7 nights we were in Dublin – the night that we were staying in the Garden Terrace Suite at the Clarence, no less. The concert was held in the honour of the release of Aung San Suu Kyi – who would be in attendance on the night and finally presented with the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience award that was announced at a U2 concert in Dublin in 2009. Little did Bono know that two years later he would be able to present it to her in person in his hometown of Dublin. 16 times I’d heard Walk On at the 360 Tour and each time helped the fans to lift her up – this was sure to be a special night, and we were truly blessed to have had it work out like this.

When we arrived at the theatre, there were crowds of Burmese people gathered waving flags – the joy on their faces far surpassing anything that I’ve ever seen at a U2 concert. Truly. Aung San Suu Kyi was very clearly the star of the night – I now understand firsthand what Bono means when he says that she is a far bigger rockstar than he.

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Twist Of Fate

Twist Of Fate

Today, I am wearing a bit of my hero around my wrist.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter know that in addition to my own musings about one David Howell Evans, I also enjoy retweeting some of the other gems I come across...

Jokes aside, I obviously endeavour to retweet the important things as well, so in one of my searches near the end of April, I came across a tweet from the “Filament Project” – they were auctioning off bracelets made from guitar strings to benefit the Sweet Relief Musician’s Fund.  I had heard of Sweet Relief in the past, as a lot of high-profile musicians support their cause; they offer financial assistance to musicians who have been affected by personal hardship.  Their philosophy is to give something back to the people who have given us beautiful music… rather like Edge’s 
Music Rising.

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Killing Bono – you bet there’s spoilers…

Killing Bono – you bet there’s spoilers…

We arrived in Seattle on Thursday, June 2nd in time for the North American premiere of Killing Bono. I’d never been to a premiere, let alone a film festival, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

The whole event was very low-key, I think I was expecting a bit more of a packed theatre, but it seemed like there were two corners… in this corner, the film festival people there for the “art”, and in this corner, the U2 fans – there for the music and the inside jokes.  I was hoping that they boys (or at least that one in particular who often goes to movie premieres) would make an appearance, but alas, they were actually in Canada (Vancouver) at the time – oh, the irony!

As for the movie, things were a bit surreal for me after just having travelled almost 2000 miles to see U2 twice in the last 96 hours. (And a couple of people with us had done Salt Lake City and Denver too!)  I’d been spoiled by already having seen the infamous “kitchen scene” (one of the best) but it still made me laugh out loud – Larry with his arse out the garden door and Baby Edge with the bird guitar that didn’t look entirely unlike Adam’s PopMart bass…

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Dance with me (insert member of U2 here)!

Dance with me (insert member of U2 here)!

It’s every woman’s dream to dance with Bono.  Except mine.

I mean I wouldn’t bat him away if he was gracious enough to ask, but I’d always be gazing longingly over to his right, and I think it would just make things a bit awkward, don’t you?

All kidding aside, who can forget the amazing moment caught on the Elevation Boston DVD where he brings up the crumbling girl during With Or Without You, lying on the stage with her as he sang and brought her to tears of joy?  It was a great moment that made millions jealous, but she was very gracious and polite, and you just had to root for her, even if she happened to be living YOUR dream.  Speaking of dancing, how about the CoolestChickInTheWorldTM dancing with him during Mysterious Ways on theVertigo Chicago DVD?  Those moves put his to shame – how great was she?

Those two moments they definitely got right, but I’ve certainly heard a few tales of girls wanting to play a bit of grab-ass with Paul David Hewson… I’m always embarrassed for them.  There’s some pretty amusing videos out there with evidence of such, but come on ladies – if you know Bono at all, you know that he’s not coming home with you tonight – and you just made yourself look like an ass by trying to grab his.

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