The band U2, led by
singer and philanthropist Bono and guitarist The Edge, chose the
Somerville Theater as the venue to end their 3 Nights Live! Tour. The
tour was comprised of three concerts three nights in a row. The tour
began on Monday night with U2 playing in Hollywood, followed by Chicago
on Tuesday and finally Somerville on Wednesday night.

No tickets were available for purchase to the show. The event was strictly for special invite and radio contest winners.

Rumors
that U2 would be playing at the Somerville Theater abounded for a week
prior to the event. But with increasing media presence around the Davis
Square area on Tuesday, there was little doubt about who was coming
Somerville's way.

People started arriving in the Davis Square
area in the early afternoon. They gathered behind the Somerville
Theater where metal blockades kept them at bay from the band's vehicles
and equipment. Those gathered behind the blockades at around 4:30pm got
a very special treat when Bono and other members of U2 came outside the
theater to greet fans. The band was greeted with loud cheers and a
barrage of papers to be autographed and hands to be shaken. Bono and
others willingly obliged many seeking autographs, endorsing the notion
that this concert series was indeed about maintaining intimacy with the
fans.

After their warm greeting from Somerville residents, the
band retreated into the Somerville Theater for a sound check. There
were further rumors that the band would make a second public appearance
behind the theater before they left to get dinner. Many loyal fans and
interested pedestrians stayed behind the Somerville Theater, inspired
by the hope for this second appearance.

One young fan
explained she and her friend's plan if they were to see U2 behind the
theater: "My friend Tina is going to take the picture while we all get
the autographs," she said with much optimism. Unfortunately this plan
would never be executed. U2 did not make a second public appearance,
much to the disappointment of the eager crowds.

But for those
in the crowds listening intently, there was a pleasant surprise – U2
could be heard playing songs from within the theater. No one could
distinguish exactly what songs were being played but Bono's distinct
voice was bellowing. For those lucky enough to hear some of the
rehearsal music, it was an excellent treat.

At the front
entrance of the Somerville Theater an unexpected sight could be seen.
Seemingly random people from off the street were being allowed into the
building in spite of a large police presence. As it turns out, the
Somerville Theater, while still unaware it would be hosting a U2
concert, sold online movie tickets for the same night.

"The
theater is honoring all movie tickets purchased for tonight. They're
still going to be showing the movies," explained one police officer.

At
7:30pm a caravan of coach buses escorted by four police motorcycles
entered the Davis Square area. On these buses were the hundreds of
people who had won tickets to the Concert or received special
invitations. For organizational purposes, ticket holders met at the
Museum of Science and were given special wristbands. They were then
transported to Davis Square where they waited in front of the Theater
until the doors opened at 8pm.

Lauren Mattison, a Boston
local, had won her tickets on radio station WZLX by answering an
obscure U2 trivia question. Mattison considers herself a die-hard U2
fan. "This is my 17th U2 concert," She said. "It will be the most
intimate concert I've been to but not the best seats I've ever had. I
once was sitting in the front row."

Mattison was just one of hundreds of excited and eager fans ready to see a smaller U2 concert.

Arriving
in a well-guarded police van, special invite guests included Somerville
Mayor, Joe Curtatone and many Somerville Aldermen including Jack
Connolly, Thomas Taylor, Bob Trane,Sean O'Donovan, Rebekah Gewirtz,
Walter Pero and Maryann Heuston.

Hundreds of U2 fans and curious
bystanders gathered all along Holland Ave and watched as the lucky few
who had tickets entered the Somerville Theater.

Everyone
seemed in good spirits and ready to have fun, even if they couldn't get
into the concert. Mix 98.5 had a tent set up in order to broadcast the
concert so everyone in the Square could hear it. Street musicians
played throughout the night, some covering U2 songs, others singing
original tunes. There were even three unicyclists roving the area
throughout the night. The scene, at times, was a little reminiscent of
a carnival.

One woman carried a sign through the crowd that
read, "Bono, we lost our jobs today, buy us a drink." When asked about
the sign, the woman responded, "I lost my job today at a particular
newspaper in Boston. All we want is for Bono to buy us a drink." That
may have been a little too much to ask, but the woman did receive some
understanding laughs.

The action and fun in Davis Square last
night was a welcome sight. Even though most people did not get to see
the concert or to see the band, the spirit of the event was contagious.
There was much laughter and discussion amongst the crowds, who stayed
well into the night. There was also a sense of great pride that such a
world-renowned band would end their three date tour in Somerville.