U C U2 2?

"This is like a club gig," says Bono during the shooting of the video for U2's upcoming single.

In many ways it did feel like a small show -- there weren't even 4,000 of us at GM Place last night. After a surprise lunchtime announcement that you could be in a U2 video just by lining up at the Garage, I jumped at the opportunity.

By turning Vancouver into a city of blinding lights, U2 treated their fans to an up close and personal show, and treated the band to thousands of unpaid extras.

Aside from my ancestors, I think U2 is the greatest thing to come out of Ireland. I didn't get tickets to any of their shows, but I did hear the announcement about being in their video.

So at one o'clock I headed to GM Place where some 60 people were already in line. Some came on bikes, others on skateboards, by car or on foot. We leaned against the building and talked about what could possibly happen at a music video shoot.

Hot show. Really hot.

Ontario native Carlene McGowan was on her way to Mount Seymour when she and her cousins heard the announcement on the radio.

"They turned to me and asked 'what would you rather do?'" says the 24-year-old.

Before even entering the building, the elementary school teacher had already declared the experience the highlight of her trip.

It wasn't the lure of being on camera that drew McGowan to the video shoot, she just wanted to see the quartet perform.

"I'm so impressed they're doing this," she says. "I can't believe you don't have to have a ticket."

Tour guide Kelsey Torok had never seen U2 perform, though he's been a fan for as long as he can remember.

"When my friend called to tell me about this, I dropped everything, threw on a change of clothes, hopped on the seabus and got over here," he says.

"I've never been a part of anything like this before," says the 26-year-old. "I like U2, I like their music -- I'm hoping this will be a good experience."

Several hours later people were not in as high spirits. The sun had turned many pink. I was dehydrated and hungry.

Play it again! And again?

It seemed we were stuck in a moment we couldn't get out of. We didn't know when we would be let inside -- we were being told three o'clock, then possibly four o'clock, then definitely five.

By six I still hadn't found what I was looking for -- a golden wristband that would earn me a spot on the floor.

It was nearly seven before my hours in the sun paid off. I clamoured over people trying to clamour over me and got a wristband.

Inside the Garage the atmosphere was very different from any other concert I'd seen there. The place felt nearly empty. Very calm. There were no food vendors, no music, no rush to get to your seats.

Once in our assigned sections, there was more waiting. Had I not been hungry and tired and thirsty and cranky, I would have been really excited.

I didn't realize how unique the situation was until guitarist The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. came onstage.

Then I noticed Bono had snuck onto the ring-shaped outer stage.

U2 broke into the first of six renditions of "City of Blinding Lights." I won't be able to listen to that song for a very long time.

Beautiful day

Though he was wearing his shades and I couldn't quite tell where he was looking, I swear Bono flashed a peace sign right at me. It was the sweetest thing.

I was right up against the barricade as Bono began to sing "City of Blinding Lights" for the last time, while the audience was showered with confetti.

People seemed to forget about the cameras in their face as they stretched their hands out to the frontman.

As a thank you set, U2 broke into "Vertigo," followed by "All Because of You," and finished with "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own," which Bono dedicated to his father.

Afterwards a few people were chatting, but the rest of us seemed a little stunned. Or maybe just tired. At 11 o'clock, I was ready to go home.

"That was awesome," Torok says. And it really was.

Huge band. Huge venue. Small show feel.

I doubt I'll be in any shots, but when the video is released, rest assured I'll pause every single frame and play Where's Kelso?

Sure it was a mock concert, but it just might have been even better than the real thing.

Kelsey Dundon is on staff at The Tyee.