By Benjamin Wagner
Say what you will about U2 (and you will), the band knows how to electrify.
It's no hyperbole to say that all of Boston is crackling tonight — there are just two letters on every cab driver, doorman, and bartender's lips. Rock radio is spinning the band on repeat. Sidewalks are stopped cold for every passing Escalade.
Satellite trucks and barricades have invaded the super-secret location, the third stop on the band's three-city tour in support of No Line on the Horizon. Boston's finest direct hundreds of gawking passers-by while a lone street musician strums "Where the Streets Have No Name" on his amplified acoustic guitar.
Larry Mullen Jr. is soundchecking his snare when I walk into the theater. Seconds later, Adam, The Edge and Bono saunter workmanlike into place and launch into "Magnificent."
The tiny stage is backlit by strands of lightbulbs, brushed with smoke and ringed by cameras. Bono clears his throat between takes, then warms up with a few scales.
The band gains momentum on its second pass. Bono adds some Middle Eastern vocal flourishes between verses, pumps his arms and legs like a runner and lunges toward an imaginary audience.
Afterward, Bono says simply, "Good one."
A stagehand delivers a cell phone to his ear. Adam and The Edge crowd around as all three exclaim, "Happy Birthday!" into the phone.
That unknown caller won't be the only one celebrating tonight.