Friday, August 20, 2010

I Saw U2 Once In Columbus....

...wait, I should be clearer. Columbus, Ohio. A metropolis with over a million souls and still so bland one should always add the state at the end to avoid confusion. 

I saw them in the horseshoe, which is a monument to football that is no longer in the shape of a horseshoe. I don't remember if it was still horseshoe-shaped when I was there or not. I was distracted by a 30-foot lemon. 

At one point Bono gave a little speech between songs of the type that hasn't crossed his lips at a concert in probably a good decade at least. 

"So.....this is Columbus....." I'm paraphrasing here. Working off 13 year old memories.

"I've always wanted to see this town....."

faint cheer form the crowd....

"When I was a young lad in Ireland I had a girlfriend who went off to a place called Ohio State University. She came back with a red sweatshirt, and not much affection for myself.......

....so..... I am SERIOUSLY PISSED OFF AT THIS PLACE!!!!!!!!!!"

The crowd then broke into a thunderous roar......it was like they were saying....."YAY! HE HATES US!!!!!!"

I always thought that was weird. I wouldn't cheer if you hated me. 

11 comments:

SMR said...

That was my first rock concert. I vaguely remember that speech - but admittedly, I was distracted by the giant olive on the massive toothpick.

I think it was still horseshoe-shaped then. :)

r0t said...

"Fuck you, [current city]!!"

typical rock band banter. but i love it.

Từ Thanh Giác said...

It's funny. I never followed rock. I sent a weekend with John Densmore and I actually told him that I never heard of the Doors. Living in Wyoming for 16 years I only listened to shit kicking music

I had lunch with Carolyn Garcia, having no idea that she was Jerry's wife at that time. Pharmacognosy was the subject that we discussed.

jen said...

Most likely, the folks cheering at the Columbus hate were the folks who live on the outskirts of Columbus...

Moral Nomad said...

Weird? Yes. But not atypical of Ohioans or Midwesterners in general. Haven't you ever noticed that we are a little on the insecure side. The typical response to "how are you doing?" is usually measured in degrees of negativity..."Not bad" or "not too bad." It doesn't help that Columbus underwent a major growth spurt in the late '90s that kind of superficially gave us cow-towners some kind of feeling we are more than that. Now look at us. We don't know who we are. But hey, I'm sure you know all about that. You seem pretty Midwestern at heart. It's not the worst thing in the world.

David T (@ONUMello) said...

Born & raised in Columbus... Still love the city, though. I could totally see a concert crowd doing that.

Wintry Wasteland Wanderer said...

I agree with Phathead. Bono is the most obnoxious, self promoting, narcissistic (in a bad way) human around.

GirlieSoGroovie said...

Hmmm, wonder what brought on that flashback?

PBM Sales Monkey said...

Navin : I know this is our first date but do you think the next time you make love to your boyfriend you could think of me?
Marie: Well I haven't made love to him yet.
Navin: That's too bad. Do you think its possible that someday you could make love with me and think of him?
Marie: Who knows maybe you and he could make love and you could think of me.
Navin: I'd be happy to be in there somewhere.

The people of Columbus are just happy to be in there somewhere.

Madam Z said...

I was in Columbus one time. It was one time too many.

Tonina said...

Still live near Columbus, and I off and on hate the place. Mostly I hate it during the interminable traffic tie-ups and every time idiotic Ohio State football fans make us all look like assholes. But I do actually like some of the things that 90s growth spurt brought us; it made the place more of an actual city.