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
597
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cherdobees
1985 at Madison Square Garden
I was 16 and my neighbor had an extra ticket to one of the most "Unforgettable" nights of my life.... I've been hooked ever since!!!
mosaman
Hattem - Holland
14th may 1982 (I was 17) was the first time I saw U2 play, and after that show I have seen them 46 times. Went even to Australia in 1993 after I won MTV's TV contest and met Bono and ali near Harbour bridge in Sydney Australia in 1993.Can't wait for the summer.... mosaman@planet.nl
The Drifting Cowboy
A full 360 of gigs
I was 12-years-old the first time I saw U2. My Nana, rest her soul, used to live above Croke Park and if you were to look over her back garden wall you could see the events happening inside of the park. U2 performed there on their Joshua tree tour, now I didn't exactly have a front row seat, but even watching the concert from outside of the stadium I could feel the atmosphere of the show, even being outside of the stadium Bono and the boys made the show feel intimate. Since that show, in 1993 I saw the Zooropa tour in the RDS in Dublin, in 1997 I saw the Pop tour in the Los Angeles Coliseum, in 2001 I saw the Elevation tour, twice, in Los Angeles, in 2005 I saw them for the Vertigo tour at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and last year I brought my 12-year-old daughter to her first U2 concert at the Rose Bowl. Every show was huge yet intimate, and every show was just as good as the one before it. In two weeks I hope to witness Bono and the boys play at the Honda Center for the second leg of the 360 tour, but that's only if Saint Bono can pull a miracle and have his spinal injury recover by then. Take it easy Bono!
lynb
Popmart 1997
My cousin has been a U2 fan from the beginning. I was a casual fan; I owned The Joshua Tree and that's about all I knew. She invited me to come, to New Orleans, said I have a ticket if you want to see the show. Of course I wanted to see New Orleans and of course I'd go to the show since I was traveling from Connecticut and why go all that way and not see the show? We had seats on the floor, 4th row, in front of Edge. I was completely blown away. I didn't know all the songs, wasn't familiar with some of Bono's onstage personas, but I loved it. Some specific memories are Bullet the Blue Sky and Streets, which still sends shivers up my spine when I hear the opening guitar. I bought a lemon t-shirt and when I got home bought all the cd's. Have seen 8 shows since and looking forward to Denver.
mahoney616
March 28, 1982
My 1st time to see U2 was on March 28, 1982. It was the "October" tour. I was in the balcony at San Francisco Civic Auditorium. U2 was the WARM UP band for J. Geils. :) I'd only heard two U2 songs at that point, and didn't give them much thought BEFORE the show. My oh my did that show change things for me! The crowd freaked out on U2, including myself. The passion, the energy, the love. What's awesome, is that some 30 years later, all those things stil exist in a U2 show. (get well soon Bono!) Stuart Graves - in Salt Lake City
desaints
Elevation Arnhem
My firts U2 gig was during the elevation tour in Arnhem (The Netherlands). I was 10 years old. It was my first concert ever, and I will never forget it. Meanwhile I've visit Vertigo and 360 both in Amsterdam. This summer the story continues in Paris.
daveydee
For the first time, I felt love!
13th July 1985, Wembley Stadium, London - Bono & the guys did a small, intimate gig in front of 400 million people - they called it Live Aid! A day that opened up my 15 year old eyes and changed my life forever.
prateektaneja
Come to India
Please U2, come to India so I can have MY first time !
nkokic
Always with you...
I will never forget 16 August 1997 and concert in Wiener Neustadt in Austria during POPMART tour. I was 21. For the first time I’ve heard the beauty of your art live…for the first time I’ve seen your beautiful faces. Happiness!!!!!!!!!! I thought that it was the best day in my life…then Elevation tour came…then Vertigo…then 360°….many best days of my life. Very very emotional. I’m looking forward for more this year. Thank you!!!! I grew up with you and I’m getting older with you and it is such a beautiful feeling. And Bono get well soon. I’m with you…always, forever, now!!! natasa
joshua tree
nov. 17, 1987. one of the best days of my life.
astevens
Vancouver- November 1988
I saw U2 when I was in grade 11. They played BC Place and we sat at the very back in row FF. Los Lobos and another band opened. Even with binoculars the boys were just tiny dots on stage.
bonniemz
Joshua Tree 1987
I was backing in Euorpe with my friend, the summer after our Jr. Year of College. We met a guy on a train who had a U2 Joshua Tree concert t-shirt on. We realized that we were going to be in Brussels around the same time as the concert. So, we changed our plans a little so we could get to Brussels. We saw the best show! at Vorst National - Brussels, Belgium. What a great venue, we were so close to the stage!
Laurie Love
Joshua Tree 1988
My first U2 concert was in February 1988. The Joshua Tree tour in LA. It was a transformative experience for me, the most amazing concert I had ever seen. I'll never forget each moment of that concert. But one is standing out for me now: The way Bono held up a single spotlight on The Edge while he played his signature guitar licks. The Edge wearing his leather hat and long braid. The U2 sound filling every inch of that huge stadium, yet connecting personally and intimately with each one of the tens of thousands in the audience. It was magic. I still feel that way every time I see U2 live!
anclams
Joshua Tree Tour October 1987
Toronto CNE - our seats were so far away we could barely see the band but we could hear them! The opening song was "Where the Streets Have No Name" - still sends shivers when I hear it. I have been fortunate enough to see them in Winnipeg 1997 and Las Vegas 2009. We have tickets for Toronto 2010 to take my kids who will see them for the first time! Best wishes for a speedy recovery Bono!
Bogy
ZOO TV in Nijmegen
"This is like watching television at the beach" Bono said in front of 50.000 people enjoying the sun (after a rainy afternoon) in a nice park in Nijmegen, Holland. 17 years later (and older), after being to every single tour in between, the story continues in Brussels...!
pelliatx
Unforgetable Fire - May 3, 1985
Freshman year in high school, a class mate had an extra ticket to the show at the Hollywood Sportatorium - no longer exists - our tickets were very good lower level seats. Sunday Bloody Sunday was playing. Someone across the way in the upper deck brought a white flag (sheet) on a pole and was waving it while the band played away. At that always recognizable lull in the song, Bono called out to the person to pass the flag down from the upper deck to the stage. If my memory serves me right, he took the flag off the pole and made a blind fold and put it on then proceeded with the rest of the song - a very impressionable concert. Only now is it that I realize that I got to see the last show of that tour. Thank you Allan for that ticket and the memory.
myrtle235
myrtle235
I saw u2 for the first time aged 16, it was a very warm summer 1987 at wembley stadium, i actually fainted before going in as there were so many people. However it was worth the wait they did a great set and i remember being the only person on top of my brothers shoulders as Larry played his last bit during 40! i will always remember it.
free4
War Tour Worcester, MA U.S.A. 1983
The buzz in Boston for U2 had been building for a couple of years prior to this 1983 show. After the 1981 Paradise Theater and 1983 Orpheum Theater shows the stir had begun to turn into a frenzy. I remember wanting to see them so badly that I went alone that night. Not long after Edge's opening few chords I knew I was not alone and that these guys were something special. Over thirty U2 shows and almost thirty years later (makes me feel old too guys) it's great to see that U2 is STILL something special. Can't wait to see "No Line" in Montreal this summer. Rob from Massachusetts U.S.A.
katieintennessee
My first time seeing U2
I got 2 free tickets, thanks to my cousin, David Lovering of the Pixies. Took my roommate, Farris, she had seen them before. Wow, was all I ever dreamed, I'd been a fan since 1980, and this was the Zoo TV tour. Got to wave at Bono in the hallway backstage, (could not go over to him, darn it.) A few days later, I met Bono and the guys, in Boston on St. Pat's Day (1992). Farris knew where they stayed, thank God for her. Now 14 concerts later, am adding 3 more. Was the beginning of my journeys for U2. Seen them in Worcester, MA, 3 times out in Framingham, MA, NY, NY, Philadelphia, Kansas City, KS, Cardiff, Wales, London (2 nights), Denver, CO, Atlanta, GA, Las Vegas, NV. Was hugged by the Edge, kissed by Bono, sigh, life is good. Am already packing things to take with me to Denver. Time is getting short.........
gurdy
Staples Center, Vertigo Tour
I was a late conversion to a U2 fan. A very good friend in California who has been a fan for many years bought me a copy of HTDAAB and I loved it. I started listening to the back catalogue with an open mind and ears and found some real treasures. On one business trip to CA, my friend very kindly bought some tickets for us to go to see them live in LA. What a great night!
goingnotgone
Vertigo: Honolulu Dec9, 2006
I fell in love with the band after listening to there music and watching the vertigo live in chicago dvd. I couldn't get over the energy and I knew I had to go and see them live. I needed a vacation from my job as a nurse and what a better place to go than Hawaii!! I had the joy of bringing my sister along for the trip. The concert was in Honolulu, Oahu at Aloha Stadium.The show was mind blowing! Wild horses was unbeliveable when they pulled Michael up on stage to perform on the piano. Its one of my absolute favorite songs. Where the streets have no name is just incredible live, the crowd went crazy!We had to spend the night after the show in a rental car because there were no hotels available. Well worth the trip in paradise!! Robyn, Ontario, Canada
ola1
war tour hammersmith odeon 1983
i was 19 yers old , my first concert,what a start to live gigs !bono disappeared off stage , a rope ladder appeared beside me and himself desending singing away! what an igit i thought,but now what a star!!! 20 live shows i seen to date and hope many more to come , they r the best,bring on 360!
zimmjeff
St. Louis, Missouri
1st concert 2005, St. Louis. 2nd Chicago 2009, Sept, 13th, YBR..........! Taking the kids this year to East Lansing Michigan and Chicago Illinois. A double dose for us to make up for the times I missed since I began to listen to U2 in the later 70's. St. Louis was good, smaller crowd, lots of singing, was hoarse for at least 2 day after........Looking forward to June 30, July 6 2010!! Both kids 14 and 13 fans.......!!
raponte
U2 Open for J. Giles Band!
I went to go and see The J. Giles Band at New Haven Coliseum and to my surprise the warm up band was U2. The next day I went to Johnny's Record Store in Darien, CT and found the album Boy. Ever since this day I have been a U2 Fan. 134 shows in 3 countries and counting with the JT Tour US leg 1 going to every show has been the best experience. Thanks U2 for the fabulous life and memories.
de Visser
Zooropa Rotterdam
have seen the boys in Rotterdam 1993.I was 16 years old, it was my first concert. It was on may 10, Bono's birthday. A night will always remember.
popbcn
Barcelona May 16th 1992
First U2 concert in my town, first one also for me on the Olympic year for Barcelona. Amazing. After that, I never missed the chance to see them tour after tour, mant cities, countries,......See you next summer. I will follow !!!
speartje
Joshua tree 1987
My first live concert was in 1987 De Kuip, Rotterdam (Netherlands) since then i've never missed a tour, and last summer i've been tot Amsterdam(both concerts), Gelsenkirchen, Cardiff and Paris. For this year its gonna be Hannover and Frankfurt, maybe Brussels or Paris I think that Zooropa and 360 degrees are the best of all tours till now...hope U2 will tour again after this XXXXXXXXL tour :-)
guinessdealer
ZOOROPA Frankfurt 1993
I have seen the boys in Frankfurt 1993.I was 18 years old, it was my first open air concert...and because of that i missed a english exam at school ;-) Since then I've seen them on every tour and even if some other shows were better I will never forget the stage with the big and small screens and the beginning of the show...you know what I mean. This year i will see them in Frankfurt again...can't wait for it
maguire93
Glasgow, Aged16
Saw U2 first time in Hampden last year on 360 tour. My first concert ever and there will never be one to rival it. Amazing, "with or without" you was a personal highlight, despite what some were predicting sound was awe-inspiring :) Earliest memory I have of hearing a song is with or without you, proud to call myself the "new generation" of U2 fans, despite the fact they have been my favourite band my whole life.
vladau2lover
My First One!
I started listen to U2 as i was 8 years old=)Last year was my first U2 concert in Berlin.I was 14.I couldnt believe that i saw them live!I was standing very close to the stage...because i was there at 7 oclock in the morning)Now im 15 and this year im going to my second one in Munich)
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