1. In this series we will be regularly interviewing fans during the tour to ask them about their personal experiences. Today we have an interview with U2start member Mark Baker, or U2BROTHR, as is he is well known throughout the U2 fan community. Mark has attended many U2 shows, but his most famous one to date is the first Toronto show this tour, where he and his band Acrobat were pulled up on stage to play Desire with U2. Here is his amazing account of that night:

    Describe your feelings before attending the show. Did you and your band expect to get pulled up on stage?

    Everyone has been asking if we expected to be pulled up onstage. The answer is no. I had the incredible experience of joining U2 onstage for Mysterious Ways during the Montreal 1 show. Afterwards, I was thinking how that "incident" seemed to go over quite well. After a discussion with my band, we decided that we wanted to audition for Bono to let him know that the Mirror Ball man is part of a tribute band. We then crafted an email letting u2.com know of our intentions to renegade serenade Bono as he entered the venue in his SUV. We had all of our instruments at the ramp, and Bono didn't stop. Our email also indicated that we would all be present at the small stage when the show started. Since we didn't get the "audition" we figured all hope was lost. Did we expect it? No. Did we put feelers out for the band to know? Yes.

    How did you feel the moment the band pulled you up onstage? What were you thinking while you were up onstage?

    I started to think, "Don't mess this up now." This is your chance to shine and do a good job. I had some bass issues to start. There are no monitors on the stage. Everything is a huge echo. My heart was pounding but I knew I had to embrace the moment with my band. Started to play and the volume knob was turned off. We thought the time for him to pull us had passed. The belly dancer came and went....Elevation was played.......and the piano started to come up from the floor. Then it seemed Bono called an "audible" and came right over to us. Without in ear monitors it just sounds like an echo. I was following my drummer.

    I also remember the cheering... people clapping...lots of flashbulbs... lots of fans smiling. All of us felt like we were on fire!

    How does it feel to have an opportunity like that, for such a longtime U2 fan like yourself?

    It is such an amazing feeling. I sit back and think, I've put myself and my band in U2's concert history. I'd like to think we did the best job we did. I am forever grateful. My life has completely changed because of two stage appearances in less than a month. NYC 5 and NYC 6 are my next shows.

    Since you’ve actually played with the band, do you think are there any ways in which they could improve the setlist? Is there any other song you would like to play with them?

    The setlist is hugely dependent on the lights and screen. It's almost like a rock opera at times. So I understand why it doesn't change. They have an album that they are promoting too. Heck, we are called Acrobat, and I would have loved to play Acrobat (a song they have never done). I would have played any song they wanted.....but it would be awesome to be the bassist for a song like "the Fly".

    The real magic is I sent my mom and dad to their first U2 show ever, and their son got pulled on stage.

    --

    Thanks Mark! If you want to check out his band Acrobat, visit http://www.u2tributelive.com/
  2. Congrats (again), Mark! I was one of the many individuals who congratulated you in person (Rob's friend with the Pearl Jam shirt!) ...you guys were great!

    Now about the ending to your movie...
  3. Great interview and story
  4. Great history and moment Mark
  5. Wow! What an awesome experience! I can't even imagine just meeting them, never mind being called up on stage to perform with them. If you ever play the Boston area, I'd love to come see you guys perform!