U2 has always been known for the grand gesture, most often thanks to its front man's gift of gab. Yet the start of the Irish quartet's show at Philadelphia's Wachovia Center tingled the spine before Bono uttered a word.

The Edge's guitar shimmered like light made audible as curtains of reflectors draped the stage and huge hanging lamps burned red. While his band mates played the intro for "City of Blinding Lights," Bono appeared at the crown of the elliptical catwalk 30 or so rows into the crowd; he used the moment to just eye the ecstatic faces as the sound pealed all around and a burst of glittering confetti greeted him from above.

read more