International Party Bands

The rain stops, and U2 shines

They will write scholarly articles and their peers will review them and academic debates will rage within a number of disciplines arguing what the find means.

Was it the site of a great battle, a festival, a religious ceremony, or something else?

The one thing everyone will agree on in the future is that something big happened. What we know now is that big thing was a performance by four musicians who somehow over the course of three decades became something so much more than simply musicians.

We also know that whatever the theory - battle in the mud, bacchanal, religious rite, or something else entirely - each will be correct in some ways.

The conclusion of the U2 360 Tour in Moncton Saturday was all of the above, big and beautiful and messy and turned all the way up.

Over the past three years, the tour made its way through 30 countries across five continents, and the Irish rock band played for more than 7.1 million fans.

Saturday, it made its way throughout our region, literally. The music, or at least the bass line, could be heard for many miles around, in places as far away as Colpitts Settlement and Pre D'en Haut. The crowds it gathered in an often brutal rain came from all over the planet and their impacts were felt throughout much of New Brunswick, well beyond Metro Moncton.

Everyone now has their own rain stories after the gods adjusted their scales Saturday to make us all pay for sunshine when the Rolling Stones and AC/DC came to town, so let's stick with just one.

Those who have noted a certain messianic, spiritual zeal in the Irish musician Bono's stage presence - and off-stage presence for that matter - we have this for you to ponder.

When U2's charter airliner touched down at the Greater Moncton International Airport Saturday evening it was pouring rain, as it had for most of the day. As the plane taxied to its spot by the old airport terminal, across the airport complex from the new terminal, the rain had become a drizzle.

It was sprinkling when Bono emerged from the plane moments later, and in the short time it took him to walk 50 metres or so to where close to 200 people had gathered to welcome the band, the rain stopped, allowing Bono and guitarist The Edge to chat with their fans for about 10 minutes before they headed off to the concert that awaited them. And with that the day's torrents were over. We think it's hokey too, but there it is.

XPlay Party 2011 | Jason Mumbles

And guess what? Xplay is back but this time, bigger and better; featuring the coolest DJs and hottest BANDS, your partying experience will be taken to a new level. Both popular and undiscovered bands will rock the stage and will get your head banging. You’ll also be partying to the tunes of international, regional and local DJs spinning and mixing the freshest sounds – to get you dancing the night away.

The first Xplay event will be happening this July 30, 2011!

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