Glastonbury - Day Three

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U2 took to the stage last night at Glastonbury

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The Edge seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere despite the rain

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Adam Clayton observing the 80,000 strong crowd

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Rain drops glistening off Bono's trademark shades

We ran out of building timber and took to the forest with a handsaw, but then we ran out of nails just two hours short of the Piano Bar's planned midnight opening. Without means of fixing safety rails to stairs, I abandon station and made good my chance to wade through two miles of sludge to the Pyramid Stage and U2.

80,000 people shone under the bright lights and swayed as one, as hit after hit rang into the dark and raining sky. The drops glistened as they washed Bono's shades on the giant screens and he appeared elemental as he oozed every word.

The muted, then subtle fade from Bad to Pride was a high point. But I wondered if they were perhaps a little too self-aware, trying perhaps too hard at this almost rustic, simple-hearted festival. They seemed small without their lavish Claw stage and 360 backup, but did manage to link up with the International Space Station. Subtleties were few.

Primal Scream were maybe more honest. Higher than the Sun, Moving on Up, Come Together and others seemed to connect and move those gathered emotionally, deep down.

I enjoyed a great view of the festival perched high up in the rafters over the Rouges Gallery in the Piano Bar later. Far below some 300 candlelit merrymakers boogied way past sunrise to a liberal mix of swing, rock, ragtime and song. All in the world seemed right and well. Very well.

Roddy McDevitt and I will be taking our play to its stage later. It tells the story of an unlikely cycling triumph in the 1958 Rás Tailteann by Mick The Iron Man Murphy from Cahirciveen. In preparation, and as I haven't had a wash with soap in some days, I'm off for a good scrubbing.

John Bela Reilly