U2 - A Sort of Homecoming

U2, The Joshua Tree, and the close friends we started a lifelong journey with some 16 years ago - Sunday held a lot of joy for me.

Though I've seen U2 more than any other "big" band, I hadn't managed to make a tour since becoming a mom. When I heard about this tour, and the first L.A. concert sold out in seconds, I was determined to make it work for the added, second L.A. show. I joined the fan club (for a fee), guaranteeing early access to the ticket sale.

It worked! And Sunday was the day, when JT, Jim, Stace and Lis hit the Rose Bowl to relive fun concert memories from years gone by.

The tickets I bought were General Admission, which meant standing on the field in front of the stage. Here we are in the tunnel, with our cool purple wristbands granting us floor access.

Stace had been nervous about what standing for that long, in the middle of a crowd, would be like. Would we be crushed in a throng of sweaty tall people (no offense, Jim!)? Short people problems!

But when we got onto the floor, his fears were allayed. There was plenty of room, since we weren't interested (or early enough) to try for the coveted stage-side area.

We don't look a day over 22, right? Ahhh, memories. It was so nice to be out as a foursome again.

We were hours early, so we chilled out and read the scrolling poetry while we waited for the warmup act, the Lumineers. They were great to watch live, with their hits Ophelia and Ho Hey eminently singable.

And then, at 10 minutes until 9, the moment arrived. Larry Mullen's drums started the familiar bassline of Sunday Bloody Sunday, and one by one, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Bono took the stage.

They played five old hits, and then the entirety of The Joshua Tree, which marks its 30-year-anniversary this year.

Now, the floor and stands were packed with tens of thousands of fans, singing along whenever vaguely appropriate. (Goofy Stace here - he hasn't shrunk, I promise.)

After the Joshua Tree, the band played another half-dozen newer songs, including Elevation from All That You Can't Leave Behind. This was where I lost it, scream-singing every line, jumping along. I was instantly back in 2001, when I was lucky enough to see this particular tour three times.

Yes, we are all in another life stage now, and we paid for our late-night fun the next few days. But was it worth it? Of course. It was a Beautiful Day.