Tom MacMaster, 25, wouldn't travel to Honolulu from Seattle to see just any band.

He'd only do it for U2, which performed last night at Aloha Stadium, taking the stage at about 9:30. It was the band's first performance in the Islands in two decades and the last on its worldwide Vertigo tour.

U2 took the stage after a tight, hourlong set by Pearl Jam.

The dimming of the house lights was met by a loud roar from the crowd. Then U2 members slowly appeared as the massive stage erupted in light and Bono emerged, waving an American flag.

"It's spiritual for me," said MacMaster, a multimedia producer who brought his wife and parents — all U2 fans — to the concert. "I came here for more than just the music. It's a spiritual gathering. It doesn't feel like you're going to a concert. It's more like going to church."

Diehard U2 fans will argue that the megaband, with 20 Grammy Awards and more than 150 million albums sold worldwide, offers more than edgy rock and energetic shows.

Led by activist rock legend Bono, U2, to them, stands for so much more.

"They came of age, right out of the '80s, when the world was more materialistic and greed-oriented. But they were a total 180 from that," said Diane McCabe, 47, of Mililani, who went to last night's concert with her husband, Rick. "They inspire people to be better."

U2, which has been around since 1976, has used benefit concerts, public campaigning and fundraising projects to support a variety of charities including Amnesty International, Greenpeace and the Chernobyl Children's Project.

Recently, Bono helped launch the (RED) campaign to raise money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa.

Companies such as American Express, Converse and Gap are donating a portion of the profits from sales of specially designed products, many of which were on display at the concert last night.

Through a fan-based Web site, a group of local U2 fans encouraged concertgoers to dress in red to support Bono's campaign.

Many of the nearly 3,000 people waiting in line outside the stadium yesterday were decked in crimson, wearing everything from red T-shirts to red Santa hats.

"A lot of U2's songs really speak to me," said Malia Livingston, 33, of Hawai'i Kai, who waited in the line for general admission seating from 8 p.m. Friday carrying a Hawaiian flag.

"As a Catholic, I feel their songs really lead me to God. ... I have friends who are atheist and agnostic, and we all hear something good from (the music.)"

Livingston was one of about 1,200 fans who camped out in line overnight.

There were no fights or disorderly conduct among the weary fans, according to a stadium security official, who called the crowd "very well-behaved."

And when the turnstiles opened at 3:45 p.m. — 75 minutes earlier than previously announced — tired fans walked calmly and orderly into the stadium, while Christmas music wafted over loud speakers.

There were families, couples, co-workers and friends. Some were military, others residents. Some wore plastic lei, others coconut bras. One guy walked in with a puppet of Elmo.

Many fans were in town specifically for the concert, which originally had been scheduled for April.

Stefano Mussino, 37, traveled from Rome with four friends to see the final stop on U2's Vertigo tour. He bought general admission tickets, which cost $49.50, on eBay for about $150.

"I like their style, the words, their kind of music," said Mussino, an air-traffic controller and one of hundreds of concertgoers who hailed from outside the U.S. "Even if you don't like their music, this will be a beautiful show. You just have to believe."

McCabe, who wore a red Gap tee with the word "inspi(RED)" on it, says she's more than just a hardcore U2 fan.

Like many of those who went to last night's concert, she believes in what the band stands for.

"I'm here for the music, of course. They rock," McCabe said. "But you feel good about it, too. You feel like it's so much bigger than just the music."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.