BestGigLargeChristo Bowman of L.A. indie pop band Bad Suns recalls a passionate performance by Bono at the Beacon.

Christo Bowman: I consider it a great privilege that I am finding it all but impossible to single out any one gig I’ve ever been to as reigning supreme over all the rest. The truth is, I’ve been to so many incredible shows in my life, many of which stand out for different reasons.

There’s one performance which sticks out in my mind as being unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before or since. In May of 2023, I was in New York City to chase some inspiration and to conjure up some songs when my friend (and fellow U2 diehard) Matt texted me about Bono appearing at the Beacon Theatre that night, in support of his memoir. I had just finished a fifteen-mile run through Manhattan, I was feeling incredible, and I didn’t have to think twice.

I knew I was in for something special, but I couldn’t have understood how surreal of an experience this would be. U2’s music has been a big part of my life, for as long as I can remember. I wasn’t even slightly perturbed when their new album appeared suddenly on my iPhone in 2014. 

To witness a larger-than-life performance of timeless songs by an artist synonymous with stadium crowds, acapella, in a room so quiet you could hear a pin drop, was unbelievable. Imagine Bono is in your living room, singing “With Or Without You” … Although, I suppose If you didn’t like the U2 album suddenly appearing on your iPhone maybe you wouldn’t like to imagine that scenario either … to each their own. I was struck by how raw and singularly beautiful his singing voice was. There’s a lot of power in passion, truth, and purity of expression.  ❖