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.)
Comments
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Cath T
4th Dec 1982
Birmingham Odeon - Pre War Tour. I was 16 years old & it was my first ever live concert. I've been a massive U2 fan from the age of 14 & today still love them with a passion. In all these thirty years I've only been able to see them live 9 times, my 10th will be in Turin in August 2010 - I can't wait, if it's possible I'd go to every concert! I still have the ticket & programme for the 1982 concert which cost £3.50. Every one of the live concerts have been truely fantastic! 8-)
jacqcooke
Jacq Cooke
I was working at Birmingham Airport when they flew in for the Joshua Tree Tour.As employees we were allowed to go and stand on the apron and watch them as they were collected by car. My friend and I were 21 at the time and massive U2 fans. Bono came over to us and had a chat and signed programs which was fantastic. We then went the concert later that evening which was fabulous. It was the first time that I had heard Unforgettable Fire live ...it was great to hear it again last year on the 360 tour. It will always stand out as one of the most magical days of my life!!!
bbrereton
May 10, 1983...Bono's Birthday
I saw them for the first time at Woolsey Hall, part of Yale University in New Haven. An epic, unforgettable show with Bono climbing anywhere he could. Was only a few months later and they had graduated to larger venues. (I was front row, against the stage, in front of The Edge, at New Haven Coliseum.) Recently catching them in Dublin at Croke Park has shown how far they've come!
gimpastato
Joshua Tree San Diego 1987
The 1st time I saw U2 was April 14, 1987, during the Joshua Tree tour. This was the 2nd of 2 shows in San Diego (both sellouts). The atmosphere was electric, the band blew us all away! During ISHFWILF Bono told the audience that the band had recieved word that the Joshua Tree album had reached number 1 in the US that day. Amazing, I will never forget it. I have seen them twice on every tour since. Get well Bono I cant wait to see you guys in 2011 in Anaheim!!!
thomaswillot
ZOO TV 1993 Werchter - BE
I will never forget this day of May 29th 1993! I was 18 years old and not experienced at all in this kind of event. U2 was my 2nd concert the first one was a small French band where were attending +/- 400 people. The first part was done by the very good Stereo MC. Like Bono was saying: "what a night, what a show. Starting with Zoo Station hanging between the Trabant! During Where The Streets ... the music + the lights effects I had a chicken skin! Finally they closed the show with Can't Help Falling In Love from Elvis... As a consequence, I made a promise to myself, I'll be there everytime U2 will be in the neighbourhood. That's why I was in Nijmegen-NL in 93, Werchter-Be & Paris-FR in 97; Brussel-BE in 05; Amsterdam & Gelsenkirchen in 09 and ... Brussel next September!!! Thanks a lot for all this happiness.
keith360
Popmart 1997 Tampa and Get Well Bono!!!
My first U2 concert was Popmart on November 10, 1997. I remember being in awe of the stage when the giant screen lit up with the word "POP" across it and "Pop Muzik" rocking out of the speakers. I kept looking for the band on stage when I heard the back of the old Tampa (Houlihan's) Stadium explode with cheers. When I looked back I saw the beginning of the prizefighter walk-in. It was beyond cool. I had a ticket for Zoo TV in Tampa on October 10, 1992 when I was 17, and could not go due to severe medical illness. So, when U2 returned for Popmart, there was no way I was missing it. My brother and I went and had an awesome time. Finally getting to see U2 live for the first time was a feeling all it's own. So thankful. Rest easy Bono. Hope that you're feeling better.
jedmark
L.A. Sports Arena 1987
Will never forget my first U2 concert as it is my most cherished ticket stub. Joshua Tree tour at age 22. Vivid memory? That's easy. Bullet the Blue Sky and that crazy spotlight Bono was beaming me with...
BigBlue02
Heart-shaped swimmingpool - Berlin 2001
The first time I saw U2 was Juli 2001 in Berlin, one of the rare open-air shows they played that tour. I just had finished high school a few weeks before and went with my best friend and my dad. There was a really terrible thundertorm with heavy hail and rain around noon and the show almost couldn't take place. But right after the doors opened the sun came out and the whole stage was covered in white clouds from evaporating rain. What I remember from the show was how close the band actually seemed, the mind-boggling experience of actally seeing/hearing songs like Streets, New Year's Day, The Fly and Mysterious Ways live for the first time and especially Until the End of The World with a certain sound to it that I've never heard in any performance of that song again. Was probably due to the accoustics of the place. Maybe not the best sho they ever played and not the best I've ever seen of them but unforgettable to me in it's own way. Katharina/BigBlue02 - Leipzig/Germany
Dreamer
Vertigo 2006
My first ever U2 concert was their first Vertigo date in Sydney, which coincidentally, was my 18th birthday. Thank you for giving me the best birthday present imaginable! Get well soon Bono.
YuRi_UsA
My First Time...
Well, I've been an U2 fan for about 21 years now, and I started my journey in to their universe during my high school days... I remember going to an U2 Cover Band, and that's when I was introduced to it's music. That night there were 5 cover bands playing: Nirvana, Guns n Roses, Metallica, Pink Floyd, and U2 Cover. I remember the sun rising at the end of One, and on that moment forward, I knew I was hooked. After that, only a couple of other shows from that cover band, and just the hope to see them live. When they announced the Pop Mart tour, I knew already that I would be one of the 100.000 people jumping and screaming on the stadium. What a joy to be there. But I was so far away from the stage that my idols were small like ants, but the giant screen was a blast and I enjoy it. Then the next time, was during the first leg of the North America Vertigo Tour, in San Jose, California. Again, super far from the stage, happy, but disappointed. But in Oakland at the Coliseum, I got the GA ticket, and as I was walking towards the elipse, I screamed so loud that everyone surrounding looked at me. I was filled with joy and happiness, and the whole concert was great. But when Bono was coming out of the elipse right in front of me, I felt that concert like the first time. The two previous concerts were great, but this one, was beyond words. I founded hard to top that concert, but then, I went to Pasadena last year, and I was even closer to my favorite band. I can’t put in words what U2 means in my life. They’re not only a Rock N Roll band, they are something more, way bigger then just the great music and charity works done for the world. They are Blessed, and the joy I feel, and everyone else that loves U2 feels, is somehow a touch from the Creator, and they are the bridge in between. Thanks Adam, Larry, Edge, and Bono, I wish you guys all the best this life can give. And Bono, I hope you recovery well, and don’t worry, we look forward to see you running the stage in 2011 or whenever you’re in shape. Just get better for us. God Bless You. Yuri.
portola
my first time
HAS BEEN POSTPONED i love u2 and was very exited for june 7 at angels stadium to hear them play for the fist time until this mourning i heard the tragic news. its going to be a long year. jordan, Anahiem CA
unforgettable FIRE WONGER
IT WAS 1984 I WAS A FRESHMAN IN LA . MY CUZN WAS IN COLLEGE . HAPPEN TO SEE THE UNFORGETTABLE FIRE ALBUM ON THE FLOOR OF HIS ROOM. I SAID "I LIKE THAT BAND WE SHOULD GO SEE THEM IN CONCERT@ THE SPORTS ARENA"? WELL NEXT THING U KNOW 2 DRUNKIN KIDS R GOIN TO THE SPORTS ARENA. ANYWAY TICKETS WHERE $25 AND IT WAS CALLED TICKETRON BEFORE IT WAS THOSE PIGS FROM TM. SAW THE BEST CONCERT OF MY LIFE, IN FACT TRY TO JUMP ON STAGE FROM THE LODGE SECTION ONTO TO THE SPEAKER BUT SECURITY PULLED ME DOWN. I KNEW THAT WOULD B MY BAND FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. IN FACT ME AND MY CUZN TEDDY FLEW TO HAWAII TO SEE THEM WITH PEARL JAM A FEW YEARS BACK. IT FELT LIKE 1984 ALL OVER AGAIN. THANKS 4 EVERYTHING GUYS.
unforgettable FIRE WONGER
IT WAS 1984 I WAS A FRESHMAN IN LA . MY CUZN WAS IN COLLEGE . HAPPEN TO SEE THE UNFORGETTABLE FIRE ALBUM ON THE FLOOR OF HIS ROOM. I SAID "I LIKE THAT BAND WE SHOULD GO SEE THEM IN CONCERT@ THE SPORTS ARENA"? WELL NEXT THING U KNOW 2 DRUNKIN KIDS R GOIN TO THE SPORTS ARENA. ANYWAY TICKETS WHERE $25 AND IT WAS CALLED TICKETRON BEFORE IT WAS THOSE PIGS FROM TM. SAW THE BEST CONCERT OF MY LIFE, IN FACT TRY TO JUMP ON STAGE FROM THE LODGE SECTION ONTO TO THE SPEAKER BUT SECURITY PULLED ME DOWN. I KNEW THAT WOULD B MY BAND FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. IN FACT ME AND MY CUZN TEDDY FLEW TO HAWAII TO SEE THEM WITH PEARL JAM A FEW YEARS BACK. IT FELT LIKE 1984 ALL OVER AGAIN. THANKS 4 EVERYTHING GUYS.
brooksh
Hartford 84
One of my first concerts ever, Unforgettable Fire Tour, fabulous show, I have not missed a tour since then, another highlight was at the Silverdome in 1992 when Waynes' World played drums with then(via satelite) from the MTV awards show in LA
brooksh
Hartford 84
One of my first concerts ever, Unforgettable Fire Tour, fabulous show, I have not missed a tour since then, another highlight was at the Silverdome in 1992 when Waynes' World played drums with then(via satelite) from the MTV awards show in LA
joriske
Brussels 2005
I was 13 years old and it was my first U2 concert something i'll never forget. I was right in front of the stage row 1 and it was like a dream that came trouth for me! I'm belgian so it was verry nice to see them for the first time in my own country. I remember that bono was trowing he's sunglaces away and the lady behind me catcht them. one moment i'll never forget is the moment that bono kneelt right in front of me i toughth i'l could touch him but he was a little to far away. While love and peace larry put he's drums right in front of me so it was realy cool! I can't wait to see them in september!
mhudak
San Franciso early '80's
Think it was the Boy tour. They were the opening act for the J.Giles band whom I had gone to see and you know how it is you don't care about the opening act sometimes. The boys came out and blew me away. Bono was in fine form leaping from stage right to left. I was stunned and transfixed by his presence, his lyrics, the band's energy. They had me at Hello. "I will Follow" continues to be my most motivational distance running song. Years later when I met them in Las Vegas in 2005 after the Vertigo show, I shared my thoughts with both The Edge and Bono, my gratitude really for how they've comforted me, inspired me and how I'm so glad to have them as part of my reality. I was rewarded with a kiss and a hug from both of them. I will never forget that moment. I can't always articulate how much they mean to me, it's a wordless feeling that overtakes your vocabulary and renders you to a sloppy grin and a warm flow of goodness and I'm reduced to being a fan who will always drink their kool-aid and pray to the church of Bono. I love you guys so much.
tatianakay
Yankee Stadium "92" & Edge's dedication!
It was one of my first concerts,Achtung Baby tour, I was 13 and one of my older brothers took me. I was so psyched and sooooo in luv with The Edge that i had saved like a zillion months allowance and bday money to have a "huge" bouquet of flowers delivered to him during what I hoped would be soundcheck time, with a corny card, photo & necklace ! I wasnt sure he was gonna get them but during the show, between 2 songs, he stepped to the mike and said "Just wanna take a moment here to thank Tatiana for the flowers and this is for you: "ONE" which is like my Fave song; my brother completely freaked yelling " Its my sister !!" over and over & I just froze and smiled for the entire concert and the entire year! Thinking back, that was sooo thoughtful to take a moment for a fan that way, not many would :-)
torverway
Zoo TV at Leeds
First saw U2 at Leeds on Zoo TV tour and was lucky enough to get near the front. I liked Achtung Baby so thought I would have a look and been a fan ever since. I remember there was a massive crowd there and Bono saying that this makes Wembley Stadium look like a bowling green and this could be the biggest paying crowd they have played to! I've seen every tour they have done since and still don't know how they are going to top the 360 tour.
Bonos#1bay area fan
Never been but despertley want to go to the June 16th concert in oakland ca but tickets sold out so quick eight months ago if anyone in the bay area deserves to go is Bonos #fan NormaJean
Love Town
My first gig was the Love Town show in Christchurch, NZ, 1989. Also saw Zoo TV there a few years later and then had to wait a lifetime until they came back to our shores for Vertigo in 2006. Will they do 360 here as well???? Still crossing fingers.....
rob1965
Nijmegen as well
My first U2-live experience was in Nijmegen (where I lived at the time) during ZOO TV. The best concert I've ever seen from any band. After that, I saw the band during Popmart and Elevation. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any Vertigo- or 360-tour concerts. The band somehow always manages to visit the Netherlands when I'm on holiday in France. I need to reschedule my vacations, I guess.
Nictate
Los Angeles Coliseum LA-1988
My very first U2 concert and my second concert ever. Sixteen years old and fell in love and haven't missed an LA show since!!
nativejohn
Hollywood Palladium 1981
I was a junior in high school and a group of us decided we had to go see the lads. So off to Hollywood we rolled, and I actually bought my ticket at the venue: the Hollywood Palladium. I think it was Novemberish? 1981. Romeo Void opened. When Edge began his intro to Stories For Boys, the place just erupted. It was electric!!! I was mesmerized. I remember standing towards the rear on Edges side, not even attempting to fight my way to the front, but just soaking in the experience. It was very raw. 'Course everything felt raw and alive in 1981!!! But these guys...a couple of years later and they are selling out arenas for the War tour!!! I finally got to see them again for the Joshua Tree/Rattle and Hum tour, twice! June '88? and again in March '89? Anyway, all that to say I fell in heart with these guys on a chill night in Hollywood oh so long ago, but they keep speaking the language of my heart/soul!
mbreedy
First U2 concert
I first saw U2 at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco in March of 1981, with about 300 other people. It was a small nightclub where I also saw Madness and the Go-Go's. It no longer exists. The stage was right next to the crowd, just a couple of feet above the floor. I remember being totally energized by the show and the band. Bono was in everybody's faces, and the band played with passion and abandon. "Boy" was my favorite album at the time,so I knew every song. I've seen U2 about 15-20 times since then, and they've always made it memorable. I saw opening night of the U.S. stage of the 360 tour at Soldier's Field in Chicago and can't wait to see them play Oakland. Hope Bono recovers soon. If you haven't seen U2, treat yourself. You won't regret it. They're simply the best. Mike
bonogirrl
FIRST TIME SEEING U2
My first grace with the greatest band to ever grace this planet was Boston on St. Patricks's Day 1992 and I was overcome with emotion. I had waited 5 LONG YEARS to see the band, you see I was only 15 when the Joshua Tree Tour was going on and living in Columbus, OH the closest show was Cleveland and my mother was not going to let her high school daughter go to a concert in a city 2 hours away. I was devastated and made it my mission that the next time the band toured I was going to be there....and so I was, there, at the old Boston Gardens on the holiest of holy days for the Irish people seeing the holiest of holy bands for ALL people. I bawled like a little baby throughout the show not believing that I was seeing the band that I had so many of millions of times listened to in my bedroom, on my walkman and in the car of so many people whom I know got sick to death of me and my U2 habit. I even let out a scream but the scream I let out had some words attached to it and loving Bono so so much it was 3 little words that just somehow came out of my mouth, uncontrollably like the tears of joy falling on my face. I won't tell you what the 3 words were simply because it was so emotional for me and I want to keep the memory alive and not forget as I get older. I am 37 years old now and as I write this the tears are streaming down my face uncontrollobly as I still love and cherish the gift that is this band, U2. I will be seeing the band 5 times in 2010 and my fifth show will make 50 U2 concerts I have been to in my life. Even still when I see the band I cry like a child never wanting the moment to end and never ever forgetting my first ever U2 show that magical night in Boston, St. Patrick's Day, 1992.
musicabona
Zoo TV, Vienna, Austria, 1992
My first U2 concert was on the Danube Island in Vienna on May 24th and this was also U2´s first show in my country Austria. "Achtung Baby" was a big surprise because of its experimental character and dark atmosphere, so I was curious to hear that material live. The futuristic stage with all the TV screens was impressive and different from everything else I´ve seen before. Songs like "The Fly" and "Zoo Station" had that sort of energy that fills the biggest venues and "Love Is Blindness" created a very special atmosphere at the end of the concert. I was so lucky to be able to attend Zoo TV. I was 17 and first my parents didn´t want to allow me to go there, because I had to do a mathematics exam (my "favourite" subject) in the next morning and we lived 300 kilometers away from Vienna. Of course I was in despair, but after two weeks of dramatic discussions they finally agreed with me...Thank God!
mysteriousfly
zoo tv mtl olympic stadium
Wonderful show, with a special guest, Daniel Lanois for a cool performance of "I still haven't found..."
*ladywiththespinninghead*
It was october 03rd, 2005
I was decided to see U2 live since 1998, when they came to Brazil and I couldn't be there. So, I took a plane to Boston in 2005 and had 2 great nights, and they played THE FIRST TIME. It was amazing, I couldn't put it on words. Andrea Macedo - Recife (Brazil)
Martin DeBlaca
Croke Park 1985 - Unforgetable Fire Tour
I was just about 11 years of age. I lived across the road from Croke Park, my mum still lives down there. Me and my friends were hanging out on the street listening to the music all day and trying to play football. That evening our street football FA CUP FINAL 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 and disappeared into the old Belvedere Rugby ground. A few mins later some guy just walks up to me with a spare ticket ( I think they cost £12.50 on the day.) and gave to me for nothing and that's how I got in. The only footage I had seen of U2 on TV at that time was the video for Gloria so I was a bit confused when i looked up at the stage and the guy on bass didn't have a big mop of blond bushy hair. But I knew a lot of the songs and had the time of my life in there. It was a mad day. Croke park is still there and has been totally rebuilt into a world class stadium. The facilities in Croke Park where shite back in 1985 and there was no such thing as portoloos. If you did get into the old Croke Park toilets you then had to negotiate the rivers, streams and lakes of piss and hope there was toilet paper ! On the day it was so bad my mum had a queue going out the door of U2 fans using our bathroom, and our front room turned into a cloakroom for bottles of alcohol, bags and Garda (Irish Police for the non irish readers there) coats as it was boiling on the day. At the end of the day a Garda handed my mum over £200. Unbeknown-st to her he had been taking £1 of everyone queuing to use the bathroom. She didn't want to take it but he said - it would cover her for bleach and toilet paper. She put it the church collection plate the next day. That day was a defining moment on my childhood and in my life in general. You should see what I got up to for Popmart when i was in my 20's but that's another story for another day !
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