The First Time

9 Jul 2010597
When was the first time you saw Larry, Edge, Adam and Bono play live ? How old were you ? Was it last year on the 360� Tour or was it in another millennium way back when ?

'A hot summer day in Paris at the Vincennes Hippodrome.' remembers Dom from France. 'I was 23 year old (and) when the band finally arrived, the sunset was behind the stage and I felt like in a dream. The first song they played was Exodus from Bob Marley...'

'I was a highschool senior,' says someone else. 'And still look back at this concert at the Rosemont Horizon as my greatest moment with U2.'

'On the Vertigo Tour in Brussels, Larry puts his drums right in front of me...'

'Yale University in New Haven: epic, unforgettable show with Bono climbing anywhere he could....'

You've been posting some extraordinary memories of the first time you saw the band play live - unforgettable nights on every tour they've ever played. And not just the show - sometimes unlikely encounters with the band.

'I was 11, I lived across the road from Croke Park. That evening (of the show) our street football match had play stopped by a white Mercedes and out of the car jumps Bono in a white suit. He said hello, gave my mum a hug, shook my hand, jumped back in the car.....'

What about you ? How did you end up at your first U2 show ? Does the venue still exist ? Who did you go with ? Was there a moment you'll never forget ? One of the band do something that's stuck in your mind? A song that changed everything?

Google your memories and tell us below about the first time you saw the band live. Don't forget to add in your name and city/country at the end of the post so we know where you're from.

(Incidentally, keep a copy of your post� once you've added it below. Then post it again in our� tour section - on the night and on the tour of the show you're writing about. If you've got a photo - the band, you and your mates, the ticket stub - the tour pages are where you can upload it. The more reviews you add, the more encyclopaedic an archive of the band's touring history we'll create. Thanks.)
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peter_odonnell
Joshua Tree 1987 - an amazing birthday t
It was the 13th June 1987, the day of my 15th birthday. My parents bought tickets as a present. And what a present it was to be. Whilst I liked the band I was not a huge fan. What happend that day was that my love for their music would grow and grow and some 30 + live shows, 23 years on the band just get better and better. I remember the Wembley show like yesterday, it was an amazing night, covers of Stand By Me, C'mon Everybody, and songs that have become classics, the likes of Where The Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For,and With or Without You. The one upset, One Tree Hill not being played. Oh and not to forget of course Running To Stand Still - amazing live.
Jonathan De Souza
Salman Rushdie and U2 Wembley '93
It was 1993. A resurgent U2 were riding the crest of the Achtung Baby wave. Thankfully, the British press were giving the band less of a hard time. There was no such thing as "the internet" so I kept ringing Wembley, dialing each number carefully- there was no redial- just an old style yellow dial phone. The hours passed. Eventually I got through and secured 3 tickets. I thought I'd won the World Cup. PJ Harvey and the Stereo MC's supported. The build up was incredible. I lived every song on Achtung Baby- they were magnificent - but it flew by- time flies when you're having fun and all that. I still remember Even Better Than The Real Thing like it was yesterday. Then the encore- and in an act of solidarity Bono brought out Salman Rushdie who was in hiding from some crazy fanatics and the crowd were genuinely moved. A less cynical age perhaps where music and politics were allowed to hang out with eachother. An incredible night. I got home very late knowing I'd seen something pretty special. I've not missed a tour since. Jonathan D S
Interowl
Gateshead Stadium 1982
Wento to see The Police at Gateshead, UK and they were being supported by Lords of The New Church, Gang of Four, The Beat (I think) and the upcoming U2. Had been starting to get into U2's music so was keen to see them live. They were absolutely incredible. Completely blew me away and utterly overshadowed The Police's performance........ Have never missed a tour from that day and have followed the band all over the UK and into Europe, including three shows at three different venues in my home town of Sheffield.
clonard
The first time
September 1 2001 After an unsucessful attempt to get tickets for the first of U2's double gigs in Slane, I was excited to learn that the lads were gonna play a second gig the following weekend in Slane... this would not have been possible, if it weren't for my dear old Dad who gave me the news that they were playing a second gig. He got me down to the local ticketmaster that very day the second gig was announced, and I got my tickets! My Dad sadly passed away nearly six years ago, and I always thank him in my prayers, because were it not for him, I reckon it would have been tricky to get those tickets. The gig was one of the happiest days of my life, I'll never forget it ! Since then, I've seen the lads three times, and I'm heading to see them again next month in Vienna! I could thank my Dad for many things in my life if he were still around, but this memory is always makes me smile Rest in peace Dad, and thanks for everything!
Thorbjorn81
POP Mart Tour 1997, Lemon break down..
It was August in 1997 I was 16years old, me and my brother saw them in Oslo. The only place the unforgettable lemon had a breakdown! But still - an amasing show!! Since that me and my brother have been in; Stockholm in 2001, Oslo 2005, 2 days in Gothenburg 2009, and soon Horsens!! :)
CHRIS LEE
The First Time
The first time that I saw U2 was at Hammersmith Odean March 1983, I was 19 and a drummer in my own band so seeing bands play was a vital part for me. The War tour was so honest, raw and full of energy. I remember it being a mid week gig and the bus from Earlsfield to Hammersmith was crowded and steaming as it was raining and cold outside. I had been into U2 right from the start but seeing them had eluded me, I had attended the infamous Lyceum gig where more fans were outside than in, me being one outside. The following week (or two) I saw U2 again but at Hammersmith Palais, this was even better than the Odean as the Palais was wide instead of long like the Odean. The Line Up was just superb with Big Country and The Alarm with both band coming out with U2 to sing Knocking On Heavens Door. I actually managed to buy and save in un-bent condition a U2 War poster showing a scene from New Years Day, this poster hangs framed in my stairwell at home with all of my other U2 memorabilia. Since then I've seen the boys at Wembley Stadium and Areana, Birmingham NEC, Milton Keynes, Milan San Siro and Croke Park, 30 times in all. Long may it go on, and U2 .....thank you. Chris
gevans
Earls Court London ZOO TV
Waited 24 hours over night to get the tickets is the first memory! Will never forget the Zoo set, Zoo station opening with Bono's distorted vocals then bang....into the loudest version of The Fly. Crazy visuals, the band having fun and some serious noise. IT'S VERY SIMPLE...... At there peak.
cdml678
ZOO TV 1993 Werchter Belgium
What a night .... What a show ... U2 will never be over! Since that moment I was also in Werchter (1997), Paris Bercy and Antwerpen (2001), Brussels (2005), Paris (2009) ans soon Paris again and Brussels.
Chickenboy
Joshua Tree Tour 1987
I was 14 and in 8th grade and saw U2 for the 1st time at Fort Worth, TX at the Tarrant County Convention Center. It was the 2nd night of their Fort Worth tour and B.B. King was playing with them! WOW! What a night for the boys and me!! PS. It was also the night they filed a part of "Rattle and Hum" movie. YES, I was in the crowd.
Isabelbono
1st time I fell in love with U2
I was in 11th grade and I went to the Unforgettable Fire tour. It was in 1982 or 1983. It was love at 1st sight. My friends turned me on to U2 and the next day I bought all their albums and have loved them ever since. I have been to every concert from there on. Saw you in 2009 & was hoping to see you in 2010. Hope Bono is feeling better. What a natural high you are, you are my inspiration and every album represents a different stage in my life. Keep on rocking U2. Love you 4 ever. Isabelbono
soldierskiier
Vancouver, British Columbia, October 200
I'm from Palmer, Alaska, and before last year, I had to wait throughout my entire childhood to see U2. I picked them to be my first and favorite band to see in concert. I flew all the way from Fort Carson where I'm stationed all the way to BC to see them perform. I swear, it was many many multiple times better than I had ever dreamed. The heavens shook from the sound below. it completely carried me away into a form of serenity and wild joy all at once. I remember I only had a general admission ticket, but I managed to get to stand inside the VIP gate for 20 minutes and get much closer to the band, thanks to a kind security guard who noticed i was only five feet tall. I remember funny things too, like Bono losing his microphone for about 2 minutes. at the end of one song, he threw his arms up in the air and the microphone flew out of his hand. it was dark so he was was looking around for it onstage right in front of several tens of thousands of people. I also had a small dream fulfilled, i always wanted to be part of the "U2 Milkyway". This time i got extremely lucky, and Bono asked for lights off and cellphones up, and soon the stadium was filled with thousands upon thousands of little stars. It was beautiful, and awe-inspiring. But the thing that was the best part for me was seeing the band come up on-stage, and finally seeing Bono, with the world's most passionate voice, the Edge, with the world's most beautiful guitar sound, Adam , my birthday twin and the calmest coolest performer, and larry the world's hardest working and most talented drummer up close for the first time. I hope to get in to see them again in Seattle and East Rutherford after Bono gets better. I'll Have a VIP Ticket those times! Thank you U2, for making my first major concert so amazing!
kmiculich
1983 US Festival
A 3 day concert in southern california during the War Tour. They were awesome and of course Bono had to climb the scaffolding. Kim M. Miculich Santa Ana, CA
nickfishski
JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, September 25,
I wasn't really a U2 fan until I saw this show. I remember seeing the U2 Live at Red Rocks show on MTV or something some time before and being vaguely interested in the sound (it was something new for me... being a total hard rock head banger at the time). There was this girl who I had liked for a very long time (I'm thinking back to 2nd grade) who I knew was a U2 fan. So I took the ultimate leap and asked her if she'd like to go see the show. Much to my surprise, she said yes. So my parents took us to the show. I remember sitting in traffic thinking we would never make it in time. I remember parking in a lot some distance away from JFK and hurrying to the stadium. I remember the crowd being so thick that we all had to hold hands to stay together (a great thing for me as I got to hold the hand of the most beautiful girl in my world). We eventually managed to make our way to a section that we thought was close to where our seats were and then the the show began. Up to this point, I'd seen quite a few bands live (AC/DC, Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Aerosmeith, Ratt, Bon Jovi, etc). They were all great shows, but nothing compared to the opening few minutes of this show. To this day, the opening notes of Where the Streets Have No Name give me goosebumps. If I had to pick one favorite song, that's it. Streets just washed over me and gave me a totally new appreciation of music. Most of the rest of the show is now lost to the recesses of my memory, save Bruce Springsteen's Stand by Me encore with the band, and another moment still incredibly vidid to this day. At some point during the show I remember just taking a few minutes to take it all in. I remember turning from the stage, looking out over the sea of people, catching a glimpse of my parents having a great time, and then settling on the smile of this beautiful girl who decided to share this night with me. To me, it's still one of the most perfect nights I can ever recall. It started a whole new friendship for me and that beautiful young lady (one that's lasted to this day), and a life-long appreciation for the live music experience that is U2. I didn't see U2 for many years after this (just didn't see many shows during that period in my life), but I did buy every piece of music they made... and played it and played it... and played it. Eventually, my love of live music found me again and I found myself in the audience for two shows of the U2 Elevation tour in 2001 and three shows of the U2 Vertigo tour in 2005 (the last one one was the best yet... my fiancee and I were only 3 rows back behind the stage... great perspective and Bruce Springsteen joined the band for an encore... second time I got to witness that live). It's been a great ride. My fiancee and I can't wait to see the rescheduled Philadelphia U2360 tour in 2011!
mrmachphisto_89
Popmart Philly 1997
I'll never forget being 8 years old sitting in the stands all the way in the back of Franklin Field with the giant Popmart screen looking like it was only a few feet away. Suffice to say that at 8 I never experienced anything like that before, and I still haven't to this day. I remember them playing Last Night on Earth and Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me (which they should play on the next leg of the 360 tour! at least in Philadelphia...). It was such a thrill seeing my favorite band performing songs from my favorite album! Can't wait until the NA leg gets going next year.
ctamanaha
2006 Sao Paulo/Brazil
It was in February 2006 I was 26 then. I´ll never forget that my boyfriend and I spent 17 hours on the line to buy the tickets and we didn´t get them cause they were over. Some days later a friend had a password and we finally bought them in another city, close to Sao Paulo. All of this was worthwhile. The song City of blinding lights is still in my mind ´cause it was the first one that night. In August 10th we´ll attend U2 360º tour in Frankfurt. I just can´t wait, I´m already counting down the days. Thanks guys =) Silvia Tamanaha from Sao Paulo/Brazil
achtungdavie
U2 The 1st Live Show
My 1st U2 Concert was away back in 1987 in my home town of EDINBURGH, I was 21yr's Old & That Night the city belong to me, I can remember looking up to the sky as In Gods Country was belting out and it was a beautiful August nite with a Red Sky surrounding us and thinking that cant be U2! But it was and I was THERE !!! ''The Joshua Tree'' Album Live and in front me cowboy hats and all, Well this was my 1st but it was defenetly not my last as now I have seen them in all 6 times, The Best Of The 6 has to be THEE ''ZOO TV TOUR'' my 2nd and THEE BEST LIVE SHOW EVER, Celtic Park 8/8/93 ''Its Very Simple'' 4EverU2
Pontiac Silverdome 1987
First time I saw U2 was in April of 1987 when I was 19, almost 20 yrs old. A dear friend surpised my boyfriend (now husband) and I with tickets to this U2 show. We were big fans already of U2 before the show, but after it just solified it for us. I still remember the whole crowd singing 40 for a good 5 to 10 mins after U2 left the stage and then even outside the stadium afterwards, just electrifying. The show was awesome. Someone gave Bono a painting of MLK during Pride, I so distinctively remember how it fired everyone up. Bullet the Blue Sky with Bono holding the spotlight and shining it on the crowd. Everything about that show was remarkable and memorable. I've seen U2 on every tour since then chasing the electric moments of that first show we saw in 1987. U2 is the greatest band live.
achtungdavie
U2 The 1st Live Show
My 1st U2 Concert was away back in 1987 in my home town of EDINBURGH, I was 21yr's Old & That Night the city belong to me, I can remember looking up to the sky as In Gods Country was belting out and it was a beautiful August nite with a Red Sky surrounding us and thinking that cant be U2! But it was and I was THERE !!! ''The Joshua Tree'' Album Live and in front me cowboy hats and all, Well this was my 1st but it was defenetly not my last as now I have seen them in all 6 times, The Best Of The 6 has to be THEE ''ZOO TV TOUR'' my 2nd and THEE BEST LIVE SHOW EVER, Celtic Park 8/8/93 ''Its Very Simple'' 4EverU2
drunkchicken1
2005 Manchester, England
Vertigo tour, at the home of Man City FC - Snow Patrol supported (who were awesome!) Main memory was Bono picking a little girl out of the crowd who had a "Make Poverty History" banner - he managed to get her up on the B-stage and walked hand in hand with her back to Larry's drum kit and sat her right there on the drum riser! Made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and arms when I saw her smiling face on the big screen - what a view she must've had and A memory of a lifetime!!!! Thank U2 for some amazing memories, looking forward to more in Hannover next month :-D
VancouverCraiger
October 1987, Montreal with my little br
I was 14 and my brother was 12. It was our first concert. My dad got us general admin tickets through a friend of the family. He drove us an hour into the city afterwork (he had just driven back from the the city, from work). We were "chaperoned" by an older friend of the family. We took the metro to the Stade Olympic, a monolithic concrete stadium built for the 1976 olympics. We squeezed our way as close to the stage as possible and waited patiently as Little Steven and Los Lobos played. I was only 14 and not yet 6'2" so I gained a couple of inches by standing on a crumpled up jean jacket, straining my neck. Bono had a brace on his arm. The concert was electric, thrilling... Streets opener gave me goosebumps. Afterwards we headed back to our friend's house via the metro and buses. My dad was waiting for us and then drove us home, an hour away. What a night. My little brother (now 35) and I saw the Police together at their last tour in Vancouver. It was nice but not as memorable as Joshua Tree 1987. I haven't missed a U2 show in my home city since. Long may you run, U2 and Paul McGuinness.
wotrwokr
a spiritual event with my children
i have been a U2 fan for over 20 years, but never made myself see them live. life always had a way to give me reasons to use my dollar for "have to" vs. want to". moved to winston salem, NC and consigned myself to the fact that i would probably never be able to see my guys in person... until i heard about the 360 tour. i was just gonna bite the bullet (lose some work... spend a lot of cash) and travel to the closest place (thinking northeast), but was BLOWN AWAY when i found out they were gonna be in raleigh! my 3 children have now grown (and life moves just SO fast), but i asked them to come with me to see U2 and share at least one more moment together with them (us 4 alone). i bought field tickets and we were 20' from the outer ring. my kids were very familiar with their music... because i had U2 playing all the time AND we used a bunch of their music for our church worship sets (yeah, it's NOT your grandma's church). the evening was AB-SO-LUTE-LY wonderful! the feeling was chilling and the crowd was SO...... so... ONE! bono, edge, adam and larry were such a joy to watch and the show was... breathtaking. it was MORE than a concert for us.... it was like a worship experience..... one i or my children will NEVER forget! i will ALWAYS have that experience with my children. that MY first experience was also my children's... makes it so much more sweet. i bought raleigh/ tour posters (added photo-copies of our tickets and U2360 rosebowl DVD covers)... and wrote a personal note to each... and framed it for them... so they can always look back on that night. thank you so much guys and God's blessings on you and your families and your futures
grbx3
U2 @ RFK
I first saw U2 at RFK Stadium (Washington, DC) during the Joshua Tree tour. It was a memorable concert... drizzle throughout... Bono slipped near the end separating his shoulder. Sitting on stage looking around, we didn't know he was hurt. He continued, but the encore was cut short. (I've posted a picture I took just after he fell in my U2 media!)
mkenny
1985 Croke Park
This was my first show 1985, the old stadium, the old raw sound of U2. 4th of July as the opening song then I will follow, still seems like yesterday...every show every night in Dublin ever since...being 10ft from stage at 360 blew me away, every night every show just got better and better...I have vague memories of the Dandillion Market...being 8 or 9 years of age on a sunday afternoon..thinking he's mad, then seeing them on RTE street mission got me started...so its now 31 years later.......still gettin better...still rockin.....play Dublin in 2011...
mkenny
1985 Croke Park
This was my first show 1985, the old stadium, the old raw sound of U2. 4th of July as the opening song then I will follow, still seems like yesterday...every show every night in Dublin ever since...being 10ft from stage at 360 blew me away, every night every show just got better and better...I have vague memories of the Dandillion Market...being 8 or 9 years of age on a sunday afternoon..thinking he's mad, then seeing them on RTE street mission got me started...so its now 31 years later.......still gettin better...still rockin.....play Dublin in 2011...
donnavoxtoo
paradise march 6, 1981
i was living in boston in the fall of 1980 and listening to WBCN radio regularly. the first time they played 'i will follow' i had the radio on ... i remember it vividly because i stopped in my tracks to listen. i bought 'boy' the next day and listened to it constantly. when tickets went on sale for U2's show at the paradise, i went to the box office and bought tickets. (i still have my ticket stub). when the boys took the stage that night i was so excited; ... they opened with 'the ocean,' went into '11:00 tick tock' and then 'touch.' something seemed wrong to me, though. the band wasn't in sync and the sound was off. i remember that i considered leaving to go check out another local band that was playing down the street that night. however, as i was debating whether to stay or go, everything changed in, literally, one magical moment during 'an cat dubh.' to quote bono, "the spirit was in the house" and i was mesmerized, transfixed, awestruck. that night i witnessed something spiritual; something i had never before experienced; it was the beginning of a life long love of U2. close to 50 shows later, i can't imagine my life without U2's music in it. for 30 years they have enlightened me and filled my heart and soul with a joy that i can't find elsewhere. it is for this reason that i often say viva U2!
harrybro19
25th July 2009 Croke Park
I'm 21 and from Belfast. I saw them last year for the 1st time in Croke park at the 360 tour. I was blown away by the whole experience. From Larry starting the show with the drum intro from Breathe to Moment of Surrender. The whole bands performance was unbelievable. Edges passion on the guitar, Adam's bass skills, Larry on drums and Bono's voice were hypnotic. Can't wait to see them again. Cheers lads. James from belfast.
KatzMuzik
POPMART Winnipeg Manitoba Canada June 12
I saw U2 in my home town of Winnipeg Manitoba Canada on the Popmart tour June 12th 1997 i have to admit io was not a big fan at the time Ilike The Joshua Tree and Auctung Baby the STAGE WAS AMAZINGThe Arch and the lemon was even more amazing and the show was equaly great esspecially when they did if God will send his Angels and when The Edge did Daydream Believer for Karaoke after that show i had to fav bands U2 and the Cure been blessed another 2 times after that by seeing U2 on the Vertigo tour in 2005 in Minniapolis and in 2009 in Chicago I will be again in 20011 in Denver and Montreal.
mona593
1985 Basel/Switzerland
I saw U2 in June 1985 in Basel for the very first time. It was an Open Air with several other acts, U2 played before Chris de Burgh (imagine that today ;)) I didn't know them too well then but it was Bono who stole my heart. I couldn't take my eyes off him, his energy, his voice and then he danced with a girl from the audience and it was so intimate in this big arena. I was a teenager then and I have loved the band ever since and I am going to see them whenever I can. Last year I have seen them for the first time live in Dublin which was also an incredible unforgettable night - thanks guys :))
nutthome
wembly 1993 - mcphisto
My first stadium concert, wow i was amazed at the whole u2 stadium production, zoo tv was amazing, the guys put on an awsome show that got me totally hooked on there music and live shows, no one in the world does it as well as them......... next chance was vertigo at manchester and twice on the 360 tour (the best by far) thanks u2 for being you..........................
badboy25
The First Time
May 10, 2005. United Center in Chicago, IL. My first image of the band was Edge first on stage, playing the opening chords to City of Blinding Lights. This was the concert that was filmed for the later-released U2 Vertigo Chicago DVD on Bono's birthday of course! Next to be seen was Bono, who seemed to come out of nowhere and started to clap his hands, applauding the sold-out United Center crowd for showing up, incredibly moving to say the least. After Adam and Larry then kicked the song into full gear it was great song after great song. Other great memories was Bono dancing with a woman during Mysterious Ways, who shared the same birthday as he and his daughter Jojo. Only thing I missed was the band not playing my favorite U2 song With or Without You! Still a little disappointed by that but they made it up when I saw them play it at Soldier Field last September =D. I had great seats to see them there again this past July 6 but I am patiently waiting when Bono is 100% healthy again to see them next year! U2 rock on...
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