A modern-day Dionysus, Bono stole the show from his more staid comrades at the MCI Center last week.

Sporting his trademark knit cap, U2 guitarist The Edge didn't miss a single beat during the first of two sold-out shows the band played in the nation's capital last week.

Bono preaches peace and love in between rocking during U2's first of two sold-out shows last week in Washington.

Date published: 10/27/2005

By EMILY GILMORE

WASHINGTON--At this point in U2's career, the band's very presence--or even just the anticipation of its presence--is all that's required to satisfy fans.

The music is just an added bonus.

Even before the arena lights went down for the first of two sold-out shows at the MCI Center last week, practically every person in the audience was on his or her feet cheering hysterically.

Guitarist The Edge, bass player Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen teased the voracious crowd with an extended intro to "City of Blinding Lights" before the stage lights turned on full blast and Bono emerged from the radiance to deliver his vocals.

Next came the smash hit "Vertigo" (you know, it's the song where the lyrics go "One, two, three, 14" in Spanish) from last year's album "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb."

While the recorded version sounds like U2 doing their best imitation of themselves, even cynics who have lamented the band's downfall couldn't help but get caught up in the frenzy this song created live.

The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famers pounded through more new songs, as well as beloved classics, making prodigious use of a walkway that arced through the audience and imbuing the masses with the fanaticism of a tent revival.

Bono stole the show from his more staid comrades as he meandered along the walkway during "Miracle Drug," shed his ubiquitous colored glasses (and his bravado) for "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" and sang "With or Without You" with his arms wrapped around a lucky girl he plucked out of the audience.

For all of his posturing, Bono is something of a modern-day Dionysus who effortlessly holds his audience in his sway as he leads the revelry. The madness inspired even the most conservative middle-aged yuppies to dance in front of their chairs with abandon.

Almost as well-known for his activism as for his music, Bono took time to minister to his followers between songs with a sincerity that would render a lesser man ridiculous. But he didn't let the proselytizing interrupt the rock for long.

Date published: 10/27/2005