The members of The Joshua Tree claim they come to places like Brandeis to provide a way for other fans to hear and appreciate the music of U2 in an intimate setting without having to pay high-ticket prices.
Truthfully, Ive always been a bit skeptical of strict cover-bands for their seeming lack of creativity and originality that might bring something new to the industry. But I now believe that the good ol boys of The Joshua Tree have indubitably found their calling. Although they appeal more to the casual U2 fan with their predictable setlist, the performance aspect of each of the songs is impeccable.

While singing U2 songs such as Twilight and Bullet the Blue Sky, The Joshua Tree maintained a studio-quality balance while charming the audience with their unique live nuances and style. They certainly have matched all the rhythmic and harmonic brilliance of U2.

I was baffled at how raw and beautiful the vocals and guitar riffs sounded;

they play the songs like they belong to them. They can be more aggressive at times than U2, especially in crowd favorites like I Still Havent Found What Im Looking For, but it is all in good taste. They manage to exemplify the devoted tribute band while still allowing for many artistic liberties in their technique. The drummer of the band is particularly impressive, with his incredible transitions and soloistic approach to the music.

One of the best things about this band is not only their mastery of the grand, sweeping choruses and refrains, but also their commitment to even placing each yeah and ooooh perfectly so that if you were to close your eyes, you would instantly forget that this is not the real thing.

As a tribute band, The Joshua Tree surpasses all expectations, but more importantly, as any great band should, they really love this musicand it comes through more with every song they play. If you get a chance, this band is a must-see.