That'll teach Bono to try and steal the Edge's Mountain Dew... It's a hot, hot night outside Dublin and thousands upon thousands have filled the infamous Slane Castle to see the biggest band in the world play their own backyard. It's more than a sort of homecoming... It's even better than the real thing. On the night of September 1, rumours of a few encore engagements stateside are flying, but that's all they are: rumours. For all intents and purposes, THIS is the last night of the tour, the final show for the band to play homage to heroes lost (Joey Ramone, Michael Hutchence) and causes found (gun control, pop music). As Edge launches into "Until The End Of The World," wielding his axe like a machine gun, Bono belts out the lyrics as if he were a preacher man possessed. Bono dodges, ducks, and then finally charges... like a bull whose pride has been hurt once too often. And then, as their minds meet, it's like no one present will be willing to admit that U2 have been putting out mega-selling albums for over 20 years. It's like everyone in Slane is watching U2 play live for the very first time. Granted, Bono's gotten older since the last time the lads played the Castle. He's a dad now, a little grayer, a little heavier and his voice can't hold the high notes quite as well. Tonight (and any night he steps up to the mic) it doesn't matter, though. As he delivers his sermon on the Mount from the front of the stage, he's the same rebel who screamed "Fuck the Revolution!" the same televangelist who put on those Fly glasses. And the Edge? He's wearing his ominpresent toque, he's making women less than half his age swoon, he's playing the blues. In the background, Larry looks like he's still 19 as he pounds the drums, seemingly oblivious to the adoring masses. The only band member who actually gets older is the quartet's true front man-Sir Adam Clayton. And he looks better for it. One thing is true: right now at Slane, U2 is quite simply the biggest band in the world. The most important. The most influential. And there's nothing you can do about it.—Erik Missio