As a U2 fan for too many years to recall and never having had the pleasure of seeing the band in concert, it was thrilling to have had the experience of Elevation – The International U2 Tribute Band.

The weather wasn't anything to write home about last Saturday morning, and although the day cleared up into a Bermudaful day, prospects for the evening at Barrs Bay Park were doubtful, but the weather was beautiful and the warmth of the audience for Elevation's renditions only added to the heat of the moment.

The crowd was bedecked in green and the drinks plain and simply flowed throughout the 1st Annual Pre-St. Patrick's Day Celebration.

Although this reviewer cannot compare the Toronto-based band with any other tribute bands, it felt like Bono (Shawn Brady) was singing to me.

His energy was infectious; the costumes were spot on, something that you would imagine the Dublin-based band wearing.

They sang all the favourites, "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "Beautiful Day," "With or Without You," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," and too many others to mention in a short review.

The crowd went wild, singing along to just about every word and then screaming for encores when they left the stage.

So a proper big up to 441 Productions and Flanagan's Irish Pub & Restaurant for the 1st Annual Pre St Patrick's Day Celebration.

Ed Fox, of Bermuda, Mick & Martin, from Dublin, courtesy of Flanagan's Irish Pub & Restaurant, and Secret PoPo, a Bermudian band, also performed on the night and were well received by the audience.