****
They've transcended the generations, released a dozen studio albums and, it seems, a zillion singles. They're one of the few bands who, if you attempted your top 20 songs of theirs, you'd still be leaving out some of your faves. Certainly, Ireland's greatest export (Guinness aside) had to make some ruthless cuts to restrict their show to 24 songs at a balmy, open-roofed Etihad Stadium last Friday night. But while such tracks as Angel of Harlem, Bad, Desire, Gloria, and Pride (In the Name of Love) were absent, there was an abundance of energy, showmanship and multi-million-dollar stage production (wonder how much The Claw would cost to hire for a bucks party?) instilled into the remaining classics - and some of the occasional filler - to compensate. Highlights (aside from easy bar access and arriving to Jay Z enrapturing the stadium with his modern classic New York State of Mind) included Until the End of the World (The Edge's twitchy funk riff rocked the stadium), a stripped back Stuck in a Moment, a remarkable and moving Miss Sarajevo (Bono's take on Pavarotti's vocal line was goosebump-sprouting stuff), and, of course, Where the Streets Have No Name. Post-punk-era singles I Will Follow and New Year's Day were both raw and authoritative. Passionate and overtly political, Dublin's stadium rock icons balanced passion with precision in an awesome display.
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