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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ajsearls
First Time I saw U2
Wembley Stadium (the old one) on the 22nd August 97, the POPMART tour. It was my birthday too!! I went with my best friend at the time, we were running a little late and got there 20mins before U2 came on stage. I wasn't really a big fan then but I came out one. Arriving at the full stadium and taking our position on the pitch, looking around and seeing the awesome stage set up was amazing!! The moment that Pride began was the moment I was hooked! Because it is a well known song I was so impressed how well it sounded live. It was a magic birthday for a 25 year old Aussie living in London at the time.
justajunkie2
baptised in omaha
Vertigo introduced me to the live experience. Only knowing a handful of songs saw them up close and personal at a smaller venue in omaha. Completely blown away. I became a fiend. I had to get more so I flew to Hawaii by myself. I met this amazingly beautiful girl from France and we smoked a joint before we took a bus to the stadium. Went our separate ways. Ended up in 2nd row from front of Edge's side. Got stoned with some cool people from Cali before each band played and danced my ass off. Can't wait to do the same in Denver in few weeks.
Skye2004
Dallas - Zoo TV
My first U2 Concert was @ ReUnion Arena in Dallas on the Zoo TV Tour. What an amazing show, and many more since then. Sad thing is ReUnion Arena has been demolished not too long ago and it was such a great place to see concerts!
diegovalerio
Soldier Field, Chicago, Set 12th 09'
We travel from Costa Rica to Chicago for the concert and celebrate my birthday with friends... it was amazing, my firts time I saw and heard U2 playing live... as my friend Joha said: "best concert ever"
cmnyc
1981 - JB Scotts
Saw U2 at a small club in Albany, NY - first of several times they played this club. After the show my friend and I were standing around when who comes up to us but Bono, asking if many bands came around to Albany. He chatted with us for a bit before a very drunk person came over and horned into the conversation -Bono was out of there in a flash!
cindywilliams
San Diego Sports Arena
April 15, 1992. Had been a huge U2 fan for about 10 years. Spent a fortune to get a second-row seat right against the catwalk in front of The Edge. It was worth every penny! Each band member reached down and touched my hand at least once during the show and at the end, one of the guys on the crew gave me one of The Edge's guitar picks and said he wanted me to have it! Still have it! I've been to many of their concerts since, and had some exciting opportunities at some of those concerts, but I'll never forget the huge emotional rush of seeing them walk onto that stage the first time! Cindy Williams North Carolina
Gene Grabowski
Joshua Tree 1987
I first saw U2 with a "borrowed" ticket from a friend at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, MI in April of 1987. It the first of six U2 concerts I have attend and it will always be the best. Over 80,000 fans! It was great
Sprud
1985 - Hartford, CT
I was in high school and went to the show with my two best friends - Carrie and Gloria. The show was phenomenal and I have seen them on almost every tour since. The venue - the Hartford Civic Center - is still there today but too small for modern day shows. 25 years have passed, but I'll be seeing the boys again this summer in New York. - Sue (Rodrigue) McFarland, Hartford, CT USA
1985, Phoenix, Arizona
I turned 20 that year. The venue was outdoors. No backdrop but the night sky and desert. I was so impressed when Bono went ahead and interrupted his own song to deal with some guys who'd gotten rowdy in the front. I didn't find out until later how common an occurrence that was with all the clubs and college venues they had played. I went to every concert they gave in Phoenix from '85 to '95, when single-parenthood caught up with me for a while, and then finally took my now-18 year old with me to the 360 tour. We sang 'Stuck In A Moment' together.
sracer4095
2005. Vertigo Tour, 3rd Leg.
The first of 2 nights in Oakland, California, and my dad and I were BLOWN AWAY. City of Blinding Lights was the best set opener I'd ever seen and heard (up until Breathe), I Still Haven't Found… turned the arena into a giant tent revival meeting, and…Streets. Just Streets. And next month, I'm taking Dad to see their return to Oakland. It should be another fantastic night.
Kevin1
October 1987 JOSHUA TREE
Outdoors...Rochester, NY...singer with a broken arm...really great show - I still love the song "EXIT" and the performance that night was memorable. I also remember that the band was criticized back then for using screens so that the people in the back could see... The "critics" thought this was "selling out" My next show after that was ZooTV... a hilarious polar opposite...there were no more critics commenting on video screens. I've seen a modest amount of shows (11) but have seen every tour since this night. My other faves = Elevation on consecutive nights (Albany & Hartford). Vertigo in Boston (24 May 2005) in the circle, summer 2009 in Dublin 24 & 25 July. Popmart Foxboro (2 July 1997) and ZooTV Indoors in Albany (22 Mar 1992) Thank you boys. I had the pleasure of saying hello hello to you during David Letterman week last year. See you again soon. Kevin Shannon Springfield, Massachusetts USA
mccullough
STAPLES CTR!
Being a fan since the early 80's, it's unbelievable how long it took! My brother attended the famous show at Red Rocks, in Denver (where we were raised) without his little sister & has been hearing about it, ever since! My mother stood in line, for hours, in the snow, in the mid-80's, while I was at school, only to be told the show was sold out, just two ppl in front of her. I couldn't afford to go to the Popmart tour, in Eugene, OR, so out of depression, I went to do laundry, only to find out that you could hear them, clear as a bell, from anywhere in the city (outdoor show), as long as you were outside. I wish I would have realized that earlier in the evening, but I did get to hear ONE, while sitting on my porch. I'll never forgot how beautiful Bono's voice sounded! I was several miles from the stadium & his voice just floated that crisp, cool night. BUT, finally, I got to SEE them live, at Staples Ctr (L.A.) in 2005! One of the best nights of my life. The crowd energy fed off the band's energy & as sappy as it sounds, sheer joy flooded that place. Great seats. We were on Adam's side toward the ctr... so close we could see their facial expressions. There's nothing like dancing around with thousands of ppl out of childlike enthusiasm. Bono & Edge's voices were so fit... the band sounded fantastic. Of course! Thanks, guys! Your music brings out great things in ppl. Lovely memory.
CoryC
September '93
Went to the Ames Iowa concert for my first live U2 experience. I've seen the boys 5 times since. Taking my 8 year old daughter to Minneapolis. I truely look foward to sharing the experience with her.
lrich5360
Zoo TV Houston 1992
The October 14, 1992 concert was in the Houston Astrodome. The Astrodome is still standing, but has not been used since Reliant Stadium was completed several years ago. What I remember most, and what I still find so amazing about U2, is their ability to make a show in a large venue an intimate and unforgettable experience. I was 32 at the time of that first concert and have seen them MANY times since then. Five times already on the 360 Tour...two more to come this summer....Denver and Chicago!! Love, love, love them!!
marik
Elevate Calgary!!!
Seemed like I had been waiting FOREVER to finally see them live, and 9 shows into the Elevation tour it happened in Calgary. It was a 2-night stand, and it exceeded all my expectations. First night in the stands I was giddy over hearing songs like Gone, and the new material Elevation, Beautiful Day. And i was relived when they played With or Without You- as I feared it might get dropped for this tour. 2nd night I made it into the HEART and WOW!!! Even Better Than The Real Thing, All I Want is you. Bono leaning down to the front row to ask how high (in elevation terms) the city was. Told him it was not a mile high like Denver, and he replied, "so that's not the reason I'm feelin dizzy!!!!" Every other band I had ever seen, even till today, seems like boys on stage. U2 were the MEN. Most professional, emotional, amazing, performances I've ever seen are by these guys. And I've now seen them 31 times over the last 3 tours. in 2010, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal- here I come!!!
madfnp
Amnesty International
Saw U2 in Chicago at the Amnesty International Concert with Peter Gabriel, Police, Nevelle Brothers, etc. and U2 was incredible! They looked SO happy to be there and Bono was waving to everyone as they waited backstage. Fell in love then and it continues to this day after many, many concerts!
Summer David
San Antonio 1997
When the Pop Mart tour reached south Texas I was 15. I made the trip with two of my brothers listening to nothing but U2 the whole way. Third Eye Blind opened up for them. Most amazing thing I had seen until then was the screen going red for Where the Streets Have No Name. Concert was in Alamodome which used to house the Spurs basketball team. Simply beautiful.
eeno
20/09/1997
Reggio Emilia - 180k fans. more or less :) but i see Bono at Pavarotti and friends in 1995 when they played Miss Sarajevo for the first time. Yo!
AMG22
U2 TAMPA 2010
I have seen the band a couple of different times in my life. The reason why I selected last year the Tampa venue simple because I shared the band with my 11 yr twin girls and they liked it ! Even wanted to have some U2 on their iTouches and believe in ONE and I was amazed - So that my memorable concert. -
utopia77
zoo tv, los angeles
My first ever u2 show was at Dodger Stadium for the ZOO TV Outside Broadcast. I've been to every tour since, but this was by far the most amazing and mind blowing experience ever. 360 was amazing, but I don't think anything will every top Zoo T.V.
larryisgod
Glasgow 18th June '92
First time seeing the Mighty '2 was in the 'Big Red Shed'(SECC) which is not known for its sound unfortunately...didn't matter a hoot though as it was feckin amazing!!!Highlight was the big screen footage of Scotland beating the CIS 3-0 in the Euro 92 tournament just as 'Even Better Than The Real Thing' kicked in!!Good Times!!! ;)
Donostia
Madrid 1987 Joshua Tree Tour
The most amazing concert in my life. The Bernabeu stadium packed with more than 100.000 people. A night will always remember. We traveled by bus form my hometown Donostia to Madrid to see U2, The Pretenders, UB40 and Big Audio Dynamite . What a night!!! See you all in San Sebastian in September.
Darren71
first saw them way back
The first U2 show I went to was back in 1983 when they played the Phoenix Park in Dublin. Although I cant remember this one my mom said Id seen them earlier when they played in the Dandelion market off Stephens green. I have only ever missed one tour, the pop tour as i was in the middle of moving and couldnt get tickets Darren, born in Dublin, now living in Phoenix Arizona
jbarnych
Los Angeles 1987
My first U2 show was the evening of November 17, 1987, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. I was 15, and I knew that it would be a night to remember. The olympic torch was lit for the show. I still remember the goosebumps when I heard the opening notes of "Where the Streets Have No Name" and saw the band walk onto a stage backlit in red. To this day, if anyone were to ask what the color red sounds like, my answer is "Where the Streets Have No Name." Unfortunately, I missed several tours, but I saw them again at the Rose Bowl last year, and I am getting ready to go to Salt Lake City and both Anaheim shows. Oh, and the goosebumps, I still get them when I hear the opening strains of "Streets."
Falling At Your Feet
August 1985 Lark By The Lee, Cork, Irela
At my first ever gig, U2 made a surprise appearance at a local festival "Lark By The Lee" in Cork, Ireland on August 25th 1985 . They played on a truck like all the other acts. About 3,000 people were there. I was there with my cousin I think. This was just a few weeks after their famous Live Aid appearance. Electric Co. and I WIll Follow stick in my mind as they both blew me away and the whole crowd also. The power of the music and the crowd reactions were incredible, the band were in complete control of the gig, and they really rocked it hard. The site was the Lee Fields in Cork, it's now a hotel.
downbeat
July 13, 1985 Live Aid
Well, it was live on TV and I had never heard of them before. But 1 minute into that performance I was hooked. Since then I have seen the U2 shows on 3 continents and it is always like the thrill of the first time. I will forever want to be part of that City of Blinding Lights. andy, Miami Beach
Steviebsmith
none
My first U2 show was the Unforgettable Fire tour in the Houston Summit when I was 13. I have seen them at least 25 times since and took my five and eight year old sons to see the 360 tour in Dallas. My eight year old son wears my Unforgettable Fire concert t-shirt regularly.
kris_smith87
Happy Graduation: Here's U2!
I first saw U2 last September in Toronto. My Mom and I flew from St. John's, Newfoundland to Toronto, Ontario to see them. This was my graduation present from my parents for completing my BA. The show was absolutely amazing and was everything I expected and more. We are going again when the boys come to T.O. in July!
jlizelle
travelled over an ocean to see U2 for th
I will never forget my first time seeing the boys. I was going to Italy for a holiday in 2009 and just happened to see that the 360 tour was starting in july. I changed some dates and planned my holiday so I would meet up with them in Milan. Coming from Edmonton Alberta Canada, I did not know what to expect. I did some research and found out that the last dvd concert was performed in San siro. The venue has a history all on its own, nevermind how the italians love u2. I saw both shows(3rd and 4th on the 360 tour)along with 85000 other fans. That concert still gives me chills when i see clips on You tube. Having Bonos daughter come on stage for her birthday and having Bono sing Party girl was a memory i will never forget! Yes i have fond memories of Italy but my best memories was seeing U2 for the first time in Milano far exceeds any memory. I am now a true die hard fan. See you guys in Edmonton and in Montreal! jason
jmcleary
elland road ' 87
The time I the band live was on the Joshua tree tour we had a amazing day'support bands good .i have been luvky enough to see the boys on many occassions and in different arenas but will always remember Elland road Jack Mcleary Wakefield England
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