Song: “All I Want Is You/Where the Streets Have No Name”

I was recently reminded of one of my favorite concert films, U2 at Slane Castle, with a vocal coach’s analysis of this great two-song medley at the heart of the concert.

I was also recently reminded that U2’s brand was tarnished hard by the presumptuous 2014 release of an album across iTunes whether people wanted it or not. Some people soured on the band and have yet to reconsider.

I ask you to reconsider.

U2 has always been a little preachy and polarizing, but recall they earned their fame legitimately — four mates from Dublin who worked hard, became global rock stars in their late teens and early 20s, and then rode a rocket and lived to tell the tale.

Playing more than 100 shows on the tour before this amazing night (including a similar show), Bono’s voice might have been fried. Instead, it soars, and the animalistic tones in the transition — possibly channeling his grief over his father’s recent death — still give chills.

Imagine dreaming of playing rock music for a living and ending up here, a home town gig attended by more than 80,000 people? To me, there is no better way to think about what this represents — a dream fulfilled.

Enjoy!