Can't afford the $50 to $165 ticket prices-or even as much as $1500 per ticket on Stub Hub-to see one of the biggest and most influential rock bands of our generation? Neither can most college students. U2 fans caught the next best thing Thursday night at the Stein when The Joshua Tree, a U2 cover band, performed two hour-long sets. The performance featured both new and old favorites from Bono and company-ranging from recent hits like "City of Blinding Lights" to lesser-known rarities like the Irish superstars' cover of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter."

A Massachusetts-based band (not to be confused with another U2 tribute band of the same name from Anaheim, Calif.), The Joshua Tree is named after U2's critically-acclaimed 1987 release. Singer Craig Rawding, bassist Joe Wilson, guitarist Ivo Matos and drummer John Perkins-all longtime U2 fans-take on the enormously daunting task of attempting to imitate one of the most successful and beloved rock bands in history.

All four members of the band agreed that having U2's passionate fan base as an audience can make their jobs both tough and rewarding. In fact, two members of the band recalled being both surprised and impressed Thursday night when one fan requested a U2 song that no one in the band had even heard of.

The Stein was just as packed-with both people and energy-at midnight as it was two-and-a-half hours earlier when the band first took the stage. Judging by the apparent ages and level of interest in the music of most students in the audience, it was clear that few came only for the $2 drafts available at the bar.

The highlights of the night, for the crowd and band alike, were performances of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Where the Streets Have No Name," from the band's namesake album. Both songs were greeted with tremendous cheers and applause.

Though U2's international success has spawned a slew of tribute bands, The Joshua Tree is one of the originals, and their dedication to U2's music is as apparent as each member's stellar musical ability. While The Joshua Tree may not sound exactly like the real thing, it comes extremely close. At some points during Thursday night's show, audience members, if they closed their eyes, may have found it difficult to tell the difference. Rawding, along with the rest of the group, captured and recreated everything that has made U2 one of the biggest names in popular music over the last three decades.