Top > Entertainment > 2006 > October > 2006-10-03

The Superdome is Back

For the 68,000 fans that squeezed into the Louisiana Superdome to see the opening night game, it was about much more than just the game. They came to officially beat hurricane Katrina with a full blown rock and roll celebration in New Orleans. U2 and Green Day performed in a stadium which was used as an emergency shelter in the wake of the destruction caused by the natural disaster, and finally has re-opened with an NFL American football match after a $127 million revamp.

About a year ago, the stadium suffered from winds that ripped away parts of the Superdome`s roof and water leaked into the stadium as well. The field, the seats and the concourse, were severely damaged as 30,000 people gathered inside the stadium to ride out the storm. Some believed there would never be another opening night.

At half time, the bands teamed to perform `The Saints are coming` and U2 closed off the break with their hit single `Beautiful Day`. The New Orleans Saints football team won its home opening game 23 to 3 against the visiting Atlanta Falcons and residents viewed this as a major turning point in the city`s fortunes.