November 21, 2004
We took the title of our U2 listening party from a lyric in the song “Vertigo.”
I can’t stand the beats
I’m asking for the check
Girl with crimson nails
Has Jesus ‘round her neck
Swinging to the music
Swinging to the music
The band was set to release their new album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb on Nov. 23, so @U2 decided to host listening parties across the country (Seattle, St. Louis and Boston) to celebrate the event. Proceeds would be donated to the African Well Fund charity, which was started (and is still run) by U2 fans, and the most dedicated of fans would get to hear the album in its entirety two days before it was available for purchase.
Album leaks were such a concern at the time that to get an official copy of the CD and play it in a public place, we had to gain permission from the record label and U2’s management, and it couldn’t be delivered too far in advance of the event … meaning, if there was any delay, the entire purpose of the party would be ruined.
To be on the safe side, Teresa and I, who organized the Seattle function, found a fun pub (T.S. McHughs) and rented half the establishment, ordered a bounty of delicious food for the guests and made up U2 trivia games, which we would play for prizes. We also lined up two speakers: girls who had found Bono’s missing handwritten lyrics from the 80s and returned them to him a month prior. They were happy to share their story and fans were anxious to hear it.
Of course, if things went too smoothly it wouldn’t be right.
On the rainy night of the party, the person on staff at the pub didn’t let us in as early as the manager (who wasn’t there) had promised, so the decorations went up quickly (sometimes while folks were sitting down at the tables). The PA system, which we had rented that afternoon, had microphone issues and there was a certain amount of time that passed before we could get the high-security CD to actually play. The amount of folks we anticipated attending didn’t show up, so we feared we might not break even, which would have let down the charity.
All of that panic and doubt soon washed away as the food was brought out and the album began. Fans started to smile, other restaurant patrons came over to see where Bono’s voice was coming from and the spirit of why we were there was rescued.
Our presenters gave a great talk, our games went over well, and by the end of the night, no one wanted to go home.
Surely the sign of a good party.