Edmonton Journal from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada • 42

D2 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2011 ARTS LIFE EDMONTON JOURNAL edmontonjournal.com Bono encourages fans to 'dream out loud i 'X VH I- Is front row too close for show? U2 Continued from Dl "I do a lot of backcountry camping and I am used to very harsh outdoor conditions, so this is a walk in the park," he said. "I don't understand why people find it so bizarre." In fact, by noon Tuesday, a food stand had opened up next to the U2 lineup to feed the hungry fans. By 9 a.m. Tuesday, 11 fans had lined up. By 1 1 :30, there were about two dozen.

Some were locals. Others drove in from Winnipeg, following the band on this latest North American leg of the 360 tour. Danielle Bourgeois last saw U2 live in April 2001 and has never seen the band from the floor. She came early to the line with her cousin before heading back to work. Bourgeois pledged to return as soon as possible with an overnight bag, leaving her cousin to hold her place in line.

"My cousin's going to be doing most of the hard labour," Bourgeois said, laughing. Kozier is vying for a spot in the front row. He tells fans who line up for the first time that respect among linemates is key. "It gets very intense when people are rushing in," Kozier said. "I think of videos from Pamplona, where everyone's running from bulls." found throughout their epic album 4-Achtung Baby.

The beauty of U2 songs is their malleability and openness to interpretation. Some understand One as a love song, while the band admits that the song can mean something entirely different Three music videos were made of One during the halcyon days of MTV. One video used images of buffalo and a herd being led over a cliff. This was based on the artistic work of David Wojnarowicz, who had died of an ALDS-related illness in 1992. Some inferred the song was about AIDS and that the lyrics represented an argument between a father and his HIV-positive son grappling with the reality of his premature death.

The song is a wonderful singalong because the lyrics are simple and elegant. Yet the solemnity of the song is reinforced at the end with Bono alone, strumming his green Gretsch G6136I Irish Falcon, and without the help of the band. His unaccompanied performance is sung as a prayer an offering to those who lost their lives to the ravages of the AIDS epidemic. This Sunday, HIV Edmonton will be holding its annual candlelight memorial and vigil at the Citadel Theatre to honour the lives lost and to raise the broader consciousness about AIDS and HTV. While the two performance venues could hardly be more different, the messages of reconciliation and the need to remember those who died prematurely remain the same: "One love, we get to share it, leaves you baby if you don't care for it" IV loment of Surrender The tide was borrowed from Alcoholics Anonymous, which referred to this as the turning point.

At the song and individual's nadir, "I've been in every black hole, at the altar of the dark star. My body's now a begging bowl, that's begging to get back, begging to get back to my heart, to the rhythm of my soul, to the rhythm of my unconsciousness, to the rhythm that yearns, to be released from control." During the tour, Bono had expanded the meaning of the song and linked it with a general hope of turning things around despite catastrophic circumstances. At the three Brazilian shows in April 201 1 Bono dedicated the song to parents who had lost their young children in school shooting that had occurred week before in Rio de Janeiro. It is a privilege to be able to see U2 live in concert, but listening to Moment of Surrender is a sober reminder that not everyone has the luxuries we often take for granted including a home of their own, even in a wealthy city like Edmonton. At the end of the show, the audience is left chanting Bono's cries of release and hope of that "moment of surrender." Some may dedicate the song to those who lost their homes in Slave Lake.

Others may rerninisce of a loved one who slipped through the cracks. A rock concert is not the place to take yourself too seriously or be overly intellectual about the experience. There will be moments when the band will be hilarious, entertaining, enraged and serious, but that is expected when seeing U2 live. The "Claw" or "Spaceship" stage may have been designed to narrow the distance between the audience and the band, but their lyrics and their performance will truly connect Edmontonians to U2. Sharing the concert with friends and family, taking in the spectacle, and interpreting the lyrics for yourself will make it a show you will never forget SUPERFAN Continued from Dl Zooropa and City of Blinding Lights For those concerned about developing Edmonton into a vibrant city, these two songs from the albums Zooropa and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, respectively, should be of interest It is rather clever for U2 to juxtapose these two performances halfway through the show.

Zooropa is about two characters who emerge from a bleak and dystopian city into a brightly lit and contemporary metropolis. It was written just after the end of Communism in Eastern and Central Europe, and U2 wanted to convey the sentiments of a city and people yearning for a brighter future. Its trancelike beats and electronic demands of "what do you want?" are interspersed throughout the performance, Bono's lyrical proclamation to "dream out loud" at the end encourages the audience to embrace the future. Unlike the rest of the show where the 360 screen is used to connect the band to the audience, during Zooropa the screen envelopes U2 and completely hides them from their fans. The flashing lights, ering screen and barrage of advertising slogans help portray this Blade Runner-type world that U2 wants us to escape.

Fittingly, Cify of Blinding Lights follows. The screen lifts to reveal the band, shades of black and blue explode into hues of red and yellow to mimic the billboards of New York and Tokyo, and the brooding, melancholic mood of the Achtung Baby Zooropa period is eclipsed by the optimistic rock evident during the past decade. City of Blinding Lights was inspired by U2's show in New York a month following the 911 attacks during their 2001 Elevation Tour. U2 was the first large act to perform in the Big Apple after 911 and this was deeply appreciated by New York fans. While Edmonton is not emerging from an authoritarian regime, as por-trayed by the despotic and mindless state constructed in Zooropa, strides are being made by citizens, groups and public servants to advance the city into a thriving and animated metropolis.

In these collective efforts, Edmonton is a place "getting ready to leave the ground," a capital turning into a city of blinding lights. Sunday Bloody Sunday Easily one of U2's most recognizable and political songs, Sunday Bloody Sunday has been a staple on every tour since 1982 when they were promoting their influential War album. On the 360 tour, U2 has used Sunday Bloody Sunday to highlight the struggle for locally driven democracy in the North African and Middle Eastern countries of Libya, Egypt, Syria and Iran. Green lighting features prominendy at the start of Sunday Bloody Sunday, as well as superimposed images of protesters from the Green Movement in Iran. While this song is linked with events occurring halfway across the world, these are issues followed closely by Edmontonians of all stripes and political leanings.

One Another staple song on the tour, One embodies me confusion, heartache and desire for reconciliation YOU COULD WIN! OF 35 DOUBLE PASSES TO THE SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING OF a a v. Fans wonder if they should the $30-million stage When should you arrive? Even if you're not lining up for a spot up front, it's important to arrive at least a few hours early on Wednesday. The show is expected to start around 7 p.m. with opening act The Fray. U2 will probably take the stage around 8:45 p.m.

Commonwealth is built to hold just over 60,000 people, and the conceit is selling well. All those fans are going to need to get to the concert somehow. Roads, buses and the LRT will likely be packed well before doors open at 5 p.m. and there is no on-site parking. Starting at 4:30 p.m., Edmonton Transit will operate six Park Ride locations at West Edmonton Mall, Kingsway Mall and Mill Woods Town Centre, as well as the city lots at Burns (70th Street at 121st Avenue), Calder (124th Street and 124th Avenue) and Davies (86th Street and 61st Avenue).

Park Ride operates continuously until 8 p.m., and return service begins at the end of the concert. Fare is $2.85. ETS passes, tickets and transfers are valid on the Park Ride service. LRT service will also be increased to a five-minute frequency for the concert. BEN GELINAS.

THE JOURNAL Danielle Bourgeois' hand with 13, for Wednesday's concert sit JOHN LUCAS, THE JOURNAL farther back to appreciate assembled for the show. What should )ou bring? Folks who line up early have been known to bring all sorts of things to pass the time from food, water and sunscreen to books and card games, even lawn chairs. Just know that most of what you bring won't get past the extensive security pat-down once you try to enter the stadium. Beyond the usual bans on knives, weapons, pets and alcohol, concert-goers aren't allowed to bring bottles, cans, chairs, Frisbees, bulk foods, laser pointers or anything made of glass. While point-and-shoot cameras are allowed, professional cameras and audio or video recording devices aren't (except for official media).

Banners also aren't allowed, though fans have been able to sneak in signs in the past. Rain won't stop the show, but umbrellas can't come in. The forecast looks warm, if cloudy (high of 21, low of eight) but it's best to bring a raincoat or poncho if you're worried about showers. You also might want to dig out your favourite red or white shirt for the concert. Inspired by the band-supported Make Poverty History and Product RED AIDS campaigns, diehard fans are encouraging everyone who attends Wednesday's show to wear either red or white shirts and to bring like-coloured balloons.

"These colours also symbolize a massive display of unity to show our Canadian pride," organizers said on their (RED)monton: All Colours Bleed Into "ONE" Facebook page. "We ask everyone to keep the balloons deflated until after the opening act has finished." What can you buy? Want to buy a U2 T-shirt hours before the show starts? Merch tents will be set up outside Commonwealth Stadium on Wednesday at 11 a.m., near Gates 6, 9 and 13. Merch will be available to ticket holders and those who aren't going to the show. There will also be plenty of merchandise available before and during the concert inside the stadium grounds. bgetinas(f edmontonjournal.com twitter.combengelinas of A campus Here are some tips from veteran fans about how to have a great U2 concert experience: I low close should you be? There are differing opinions about" this among fans.

There's an inner circle of fans right at the stage, called "the pit." Some say being this close is great; ojhers say it's bad, like being in the front row at an Imax movie. Some don't like being in the inner circle because it's harder to see the whole setup and the $30-million stage, known as The Claw. Toward the back, well out of the pit, there's also freer access to washrooms and more room to dance. JJp close, though, you might be able to reach out and touch Bono. There are bridges that stretch out from the main part of the stage and over the idner circle, and you can literally reach up and touch the band.

"No matter where you are, it's going to be a spectacular show," Kozier said. Joe Ahorro marks Edmonton U2 fan indicating her place in line Dynamic duo headed for The DOD-rock twins released their latest pffort Saint I It hood, in 2009. It went on to earn nominations for the Polaris Music Prize and a Juno for alternative album of the year. Singer-songwriter Frank Turner will perform Wednesday, Oct. 19 at The Starlite Room.

The sensitive folk-punk musician, referred to as Britain' "rsion of Dashboard Confessional, will release his fourth alburn, England Keep My Bones, next Tuesday. Tickets are 17 plus service charges. They'll go on sale Friday at primeboxoffice.com or 1-877-265-3338. I Comedian Daniel Tosh is adding a second, late show on Monday, Aug. 8 at the Winspear Centre.

He'll perform at 10 p.m., in addition to his previously announced 7 p.m. set Tickets are $35 and $45 plus service charges at SANDRA SPEROUNES fournal Music Writer EDMONTON Canada's outspoken Quin twins, Tegan and Sara, Will play tunes from their six albums, as well as field questions from fans, on Wednesday, July 6 at the Myer Horowitz Theatre. Tickets are $75 plus service charges at Ticketmaster. On sale Friday. fans will also receive a free limited-edition poster, designed by the duo's art director EE Storey.

Thirty VIP tickets, which will let fans attend Tegan and Sara's sound check and get their posters signed by the sisters, will go on sale Thursday. Sara recently made headlines for her essay on the "misogynistic and homophobic ranting and raving" of rapper Tyler, The Creator, which is posted on the site teganandsara.com. wmspearcentre.com or 780-428-1414. ssperounesS edmontonjournal.com Every generation has a movie that defines their childhood. Tell us which movie inspired and influenced you most and ENTER for a chance to WIN a double pass to the advance screening of SUPER 8.

PLUS 3 lucky winners will each recieve a DVD prize pack! A Ust of the top 8 movies wtU be published in the Edmonton Journal on Wednesday. June 8th. EDMOflOi JOIRIU Twitter.comSperounes Tl at the Myer Horowitz Theatre. Tegan and Sara will play tunes IN THEATRES JUNE 10 To see the trailer visit www.super8-movie.com fltEr fcy CRutbn ynv wnt, address, pbant ranter tnd skil-fesbnQ answer 1i ejcontestspostmedia.com wft subject fee SUPER 8 CmM dbm at Horn an Thurstoj. Jam2iniffifmiricantacWbyeM i i.

and fietd questions from their fans Jury 6.