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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 17, 2001)
U2 elevates Northwest through passion, soul ■The stripped-down stage isn’t stopping the legendary band from selling out arenas for Elevation Tour 2001 By Roman Gokhman for the Emerald There were no giant screens, hanging hydraulic automobiles, or 40-foot mirrorball lemons, and most of the hit songs were played with the house lights on. But the self-proclaimed “best band in the world,” U2, played the concert of a lifetime in the Great Northwest ... twice. Playing to sold-out crowds in Tacoma, Wash., on Thursday and Portland on Sunday, Bono Vox, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Lar ry Mullen Jr. walked, danced and sprinted around the huge, heart shaped catwalk, which extended halfway into the crowd from the stage. It was all to the delight of the 300 fans who showed up at six in the morning, myself included, for the chance to be admitted in side the catwalk and stand only inches away from the rock-and roll legends. The band got down to the ba sics of stage production, at least compared to their famous “Zoo TV” and “Popmart” tours of the 1990s. No one cared. The concerts were not about the show, but the passion and soul of the music that has carried a meaning for the last 20 years. A sea of cigarette lighters provided all the lighting needed. The set lists included U2’s ear ly hits “I Will Follow” and “Sun day Bloody Sunday,” current ra dio singles “Beautiful Day” and “Walk On,” and everything in be tween from their brilliant 20-year career. “Bullet the Blue Sky” was jazzed up with a little bit of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and David Bowie’s “Young Amer ican.” Bono and The Edge per formed a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Unchained Melody” in Tacoma, while in Portland, Bono devoted “One” in honor of Joey Ramone, who passed away earlier that day. “We're one, we carry each oth er/Joey Ramone, my big brother!” he lamented. In between songs, and during them as well, Bono mingled with the fans, pulling star-struck, wide eyed girls up onto the catwalk to dance and sing along with him. However, the Portland show got out of hand when fans managed to pull Bono off the catwalk and onto the floor headfirst — a six foot fall. While Bono was being rescued from the mob by security, Adam, Larry and The Edge kept the show going with “The Fly.” The band has remained down to-earth, despite their worldwide fame. After Bono pulled up in his jet-black Lincoln limousine in Portland, I and 15 other lucky concertgoers got the chance to dis creetly meet and chat with him for more than 15 minutes. It was a special moment for me. It’s true, the band is all about the fans. U2’s “Elevation Tour 2001” is supporting their 12th studio al bum, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind.” It has been viewed as a return to the band’s roots and their best album since “Achtung Baby” in 1991. British singer P.J. Harvey opened both nights and energized the crowd with a mix of alterna tive and grunge rock, but it was evident that the fans came ready for U2, as a majority of the seats remained empty until U2 took the stage. ..A...._ A A A\ Roman Gokhman for the Emerald U2 frontman Bono makes his way from his limousine to his fans before the soundcheck for Sunday’s show at the Rose Garden in Portland. CRIME WATCH Vandalism Wednesday, April 11,1:31 a.m.: An offi cer witnessed a person vandalizing bicycles at racks near 13th Avenue and Kincaid Street. Thursday, April 12,2:06 p.m.: A caller reported a fire in the barkdust in the grassy area in front of Grayson Hall. Friday, April 13,6:45a.m.: A caller reported damage to a parked vehicle at the University Inn. Friday, April 13,10:34p.m.: A caller reported a fire behind Agate Hall, possibly in the parking lot, near the breezeway. Sunday, April 15,5:14a.m.: An officer reported a firework explosion in the Bean West Courtyard. Suspicious Activities/Disorderly Conduct Friday, April 13,4:30 p.m.: A caller reported a missing computer from the Knight Library. Saturday, April 14,12:17 p.m.: A female caller reported a male taking pictures of the outside and inside of her house just east of campus. Threats/Physical Violence Friday, April 13,5:07 p.m.: Officers received a report of an attempted rape near the Autzen Foot Bridge. Sunday, April 15,2:13 a.m.: A male caller requested assistance after an assault near the Knight Library. Alcohol/lllegal Substances Wednesday, April 11,9:03 p.m.: A caller reported a large group of subjects with alcohol in the Pioneer Cemetery. Wednesday, April 11,11:57 p.m.: A male caller reported four suspicious ‘Jenna’s Bill’would battle school bullies EUGENE — Some parents say teachers and administrators don’t know how to handle reports that their children are being intimidated or ha rassed by other students, and they’re pushing for stricter rules against bul lying. Several parents and students visit ed the Capitol last week to urge state lawmakers to pass legislation that sets clear guidelines for dealing with school bullies. Rep. Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin, is sponsor of HB3403, which has been dubbed “Jenna’s Bill” for one of his constituents, 14-year-old Jenna Her bison. Her mother, Elisa Herbison, says that when Jenna told her principal she was being taunted and intimidat ed by older girls, the principal did nothing. When her mother got in volved, she was advised to transfer Jenna to another school. Marilyn Nersesian of the Eugene School District said it’s not uncom mon for school districts not to have a defined solution for bullying. “They often don’t know what else to do unless they’ve done some train ing to prevent this kind of behavior,” she said. The bill, which received its first hearing before the House Education Committee last week, would require all school districts to prohibit harass ment, intimidation and bullying. Dis tricts would have to define such be haviors and set up consequences for students who bully. Procedures for re porting, investigating and responding to cases would also be required. The Associated Press Recycle • Recycle • Recycle • Recycle subjects smoking marijuana near the EMU. Thursday, April 12,10:33 p.m.: An offi cer contacted three Watson Hall residents for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Saturday, April 14,12:40a.m.: A male .caller reported peoplesmoking marijuana in Collier Hall. Theft Thursday, April 12,4:08 p.m.: A caller reported theft of items from his or her vehide. Thursday, April 12,6:55 p.m.: A caller reported his or her bicycle had been stolen from the bike racks near the Knight Law School. Miscellaneous Monday, April 9,6:29 p.m.: A caller reported two females in a tree outside Cloran Half. Wednesday, April 11,5:21 p.m.: A caller reported losing a dog in the Straub Hall parking lot. Wednesday, April 11,11:26 p.m.: A male caller reported another male student was having a seizure near Thornton Hall in the Bean East Quad area. Friday, April 13,5:50 p.m.: A caller reported a smell of natural gas at Columbia Hall. Sunday, April 15,3:42a.m.: An officer reported an explosion near parking lot 29B near Gerlinger Hall. Bucks Do you have an idea that will benefit a large number of students at the University? The ASUO has a 100 grand and wants your ideas on how to spend it! Projects of all sizes with a cap of $100,000 will be accepted! Ideas due April 20th Applications available in the ASUO
