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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U2team.com
In nantes
the fist Time cas in nantes for the ZOO tv TOUR. I remember bcause it was the night of the champions league final Marseille vs Milan and the stadium was pretty...empty ! 20 years after, I always dream about working with U2 on tour...Stageco or else...Dreams stay dreams ! See you in US !
davidrene
Amnesty International, June 1986
Los Angeles Forum was my first show. They played five songs and I had horrible seats. But like any first time experience, it was unforgetable.
A Sour Never
i have been a big fan of U2 - since 1990. But i have never watched them live. In 1996 i had planned to watch them in Prague on their great POP Mart tour but something cropped up and regretfully i had to sell the tickets because i could not travel. In 2002 i had helped a friend win a radio competition by guessing the final song from the lyrics and he was the one to go to watch them in Berlin! Seems like i will need to wait for a third time lucky. These comments fill me with a sad longing but i'm happy to have grown with U2's songs in my heart.
lecina
The First Time
Nice (France) in 2005!!! travel from Spain alone but find a lot of nice people around. Great experience Couldn't go before because of money or time but can't miss one. 8 shows to come in Europe!!! Top 3 - Honolulu 2006 Barcelona 1st 2009 London 15/8/2009 Thank you to U2 for all that greats moments THANK U2
edwardpillar
Greenbelt 1981
Completely unexpectedly U2 turned up at the Greenbelt Festival and played a 20 minute set. I only just knew about them, but I have never forgot them. Been to every tour since. Were with a load of folk from the youth group from Church. Camping.
Siggie
siggie
first time seeing U2 at Leeds Roundhey Park Leeds Zoo TV tour 1993. Mind blowing!! the set and stage were fabulous. best bits..... Bono's phone calls and finally seeing Larry in the flesh!!!!!!!
GAZCOOL
Birmingham - 1st June '92 - Zoo TV (indo
I have now seen U2 20 times (21 with Portugal this year), and being 15 years old in '92, at my first 'real' concert, in such an intimate venue, with only 4 UK dates on the tour, it was unreal!!
Friday Gavin
Gent Flanders Expo 09 May 1992
The ZooTV tour was my first U2 experience. I remember that we had to queue a couple of hours to get the tickets a few weeks before the concert in a place near the Antwerp Central Station. I still remember this guy who was first in row (he arrived at 10pm the night before the ticket sale...). When we finally were allowed inside the building to buy tickets (max 4/person) we needed to show our identity card...which he did not brought with him!! I saw him back a couple of hours later and was glad that he managed to pursue someone to sell him one ticket. The concert itself was great although the venue isn't one of my favourites, they opened with Zoo Station.. I can still see the Trabants hanging on the ceiling :-). One, Dancing Queen, Satellite of love, Bad,..., and a great version of Running to stand still, too much emotions to handle...even now, after all these years I can not go to a U2 concert without crying :-))) (of happiness that is :-)) I also remember that Bono opened a bottle of champagne to start celebrating his birthday (he couldn't wait another day :-)) and spilled some over us... Back then there wasn't any space between the front row and the stage so you felt really involved. Nowadays when you are standing on the 'front' row you are at least 3 meters from the stage... I know it is for security reasons.. but it is a kind of pity, isn't?
fdophemont
Torhout 1985
25 years ago, I was 15. The Unforgettable Fire Tour. They played at the Torhout - Werchter festival in Belgium with REM (which 99% of the crowd at that point never heard of...) and The Ramones and many others. The venue is no longer used I think but it was great. A sort of natural Amphi theatre. Long time ago but I remember it as it was yesterday. Wire and 11 O´Clock Tick Tock in the setlist. Many concerts followed after that!
Vienis
Dancing Stockholm 1992
Zoo TV inside broadcast on the second night in Stockholm June 1992. Top 3 memories: *Swedish people foing crazy as the "boys" from Abba joined for Dancing Queen. We Finns we're a bit more "cooler", but a great moment anyway. I can admit it now some 18 years later ;) *The Show being broadcasted to someone's home and he joining virtually to the show. That was quite something two decades ago ;) *The trip from Finland to Sweden. The DJ on the boat without U2 records and the crowd going mad. We borrowed ours to the poor guy and he did have use for the as there was a number of Finns on this show. But thanks, this summer no need to travvel to Sweden. See you in Helsinki for two beautiful nights!
Jamie
St. Louis 1992
Outside Broadcast. Simply the best show I've ever seen, and probably will ever see.
ramblin rose
Fate
May 5th, 1981 at the Palladium in New York. I was going to college downtown and at the time didn't know who U2 was, but a friend wanted to go see them and the Palladium was a great venue to see concerts. It was converted to a night club in the mid-eighties and then demolished in the late nineties. Almost 30 years later and I have now seen U2 on four continents. I will celebrate my 80th show in New Jersey this summer.. Thanks U2. Rosa - Flower Mound, TX
bwfc
superkev
I was 14 years old and the gig was roundhay park, Zooropa 93. How awesome is that for a first U2 gig
ADRIAN79U2FOREVER
i wait for 15 years!!!
My first U2 concert was last september 12 and 13 2009 at soldier field chicago.. i live in mexico..... Since i was 15 years old my dream was to be in a U2 concert.. this band has change my life, and still changing.... At soldier field i was inside the circle in front of BONO....!!!!!! WOOOOOWW... my best day ever... NOW IM HAPPY.. LIFE IS A MIRACLE!!!!
mrmiagi
Tacoma 1991
I was a junior in high school and barely scored tickets to the Tacoma Dome Zoo TV tour. I had never seen or experienced anything close to what was on stage that night and will never forget it. Taking my 7 year old daughter to the 360 show in Seattle and can't wait to share it with her!!
Nancirishnancy
The first time I saw U2
Was the Unforgettable Fire tour in Atlanta. We got there just in time from Nashville to take our nosebleed seats, people were outside crying because tickets were scarce, not a scalper to be found. I went with my nephew Murray, he passed away last Aug at age 43, we shard many more shows, Atlanta, Memphis, and when I went to the first show of the 360 tour in "Chicago back in September they played so many songs from that tour. It changed our lives back in 1984, I sure missed him at this one, but will never forget the entire arena singing "40" as we left, it was amazing. So concert number 15 for me the next time. I have seen them everywhere but Nashville, we have a brand new stadium, the water has gone down, land that space ship of love in Nashville, we need some cheering up, How High's The Water Papa? 8 feet high and rising became as true for us as it did for Johnny Cash. Cashville sure would love to see U2! Nancy Fisher Nashville, TN
stevie.Phisto.stein
Poor me :(
I have never actually seen U2 live, they are my favourite band and I love them with my whole heart but due to the fact that I am only 15 years old, I have never been able to see them live. All I can do is hope like hell that they come down to NZ soon so I can experience the magic that I have been longing for for years :D, for the mean time I will just have a U2 concert dvd marathon.
jdv_99
ZOO TV: Texas Stadium
Went with 2 friends in Dallas, bought tickets from a scalper, never had been to a U2 concert. Was hooked from the opening song, Zoo Station, and have been a Huge fan ever since
assilya
With dad
I was 2 years old when I went to the first U2 concert. I don't remender. My dad is a huge U2 fan and on that night I went with him. My father plays with that night, cause he says that ever since the concert I became a U2 fan. that my firt song that I ever sang was pride. but this year after 25 years since I saw them I'm going 2 see them on Portugal and I'm going 2 have a special place for me.. Lucky me... :)
Kyle Dube
2nd Generation Experience
I was 24 years old the first time I saw U2 in Edmonton, Canada on June 14th, 1997. I was already a huge fan, but that night my life was changed. It was perfect. It was spiritual, and it was more then I could have dreamed of. Now, 13 years later, on June 23rd, I get to bring my two oldest sons, Liam and Jaxon and my awesome wife Jeanette to see them in Edmonton, Canada!! What a great experience it will be for my wife, and my 8 and 7 year old sons to see not only their first U2 show, but their first concert ever! I have been excited about this since the show was announced, and I know that this will be a moment that my sons will never forget, nor will I. Thanks U2 for being multi generational. It is what makes you the best band in world!!
LasVegasU2Fan
Joshua Tree 1987
I was 15 years old, just a freshman in high school. It was Nov 17, 1987 at the LA Memorial Coliseum, the Joshua Tree Tour. (I still have my ticket!) I remember it was a school night and I carpooled with a junior and met my sister there. To this day, my sister and I are still going to U2 concerts together, 23 years later. The most vivid memory of that concert was the smell of a certain "weed" Thanks Bono, Edge, Larry, and Adam for the best concerts I have ever attended!!!! Love you guys!!
jschmitt20
My First U2 Concert
This is the most amazing U2 concert story! I have loved the band and experienced the many levels of their music since the very beginning. I literally have all of their music, but have never been able to experience a live U2 concert. I have suffered great losses this year, but the band has been my inspiration through it all (and they haven't even known it). One of my closest friends lives in Salt Lake and our friendship has always been about supporting and making each other stronger because we are not alone. We no longer get to see each other that often because we live so far apart, but we know we can always count on each other. So here's where the story of my first U2 concert begins. I am actually flying from IN to UT to be in the audience with my friend on opening night! Edge, Adam, Larry & Bono have shown me that the bonds of love and friendship are a gift from God and are stronger than anything else. When you believe in the impossible, you sometimes actually get to achieve it. I'll write more afterwards to describe the reality of having this dream come true, but I already feel that my life is MAGNIFICENT and the concert hasn't even begun!
Reilly Roo
Vancouver!
First time was at the last show of the '09 tour, in Vancouver, BC. It was my 17th-birthday present. Understandably, Bono looked utterly exhausted, and seemed to be losing his voice. Somehow, seeing this almost vulnerable side of Bono made the night so intimate. We (the audience) carried "Still Haven't Found" almost entirely on our own, and harmonized the highs in "In A Little While." The love in the room that night was palpable. And oh my god--Adam. How can one man contain THAT much cool without imploding?
edmedjen
1987 MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
THE BEST CONCERT EVER.
mapster
Joshua Tree '87 - Cow Palace
I actually still get goose bumps when thinking of the amazing electricity in the air as they began the show a slow intro of Where the Street Have No Names.
mapster
Joshua Tree '87 - Cow Palace
I actually still get goose bumps when thinking of the amazing electricity in the air as they began the show a slow intro of Where the Street Have No Names.
mickmunoz
Zoo TV Tour Nov 1992 Palacio de los Dep
Just as Bill Flanagan clearly described U2's Conquest of Mexico in his book "Until the end of the world", U2's first visit to aztec lands was incredible. I was 19 years old (but a fan since 1985) and that was my first U2 series of gigs. I had the chance to witness 3 concerts and each one of them are still very special for me.... 8 Achtung Baby songs, some covers and some old favorites, what can I say.... I have seen them in the Pop Mart and Vertigo Tours afterwards, and hope to see them in Philly this year, but the Zoo TV Tour will remain as my favourite one because that was the first time U2 fell in love with the Mexican audience
Yogic
Vertigo VoYage
Vertigo Omaha USA... 39ish... Was Totally floating in in the sea of U2 erotica without an anchor... my date applauded the voyage : ). Thanks SS U2 for the ride : ). Happy Trails...
sticktogether
17 years ago
Oviedo, 19th May 1993. In my hometown, me being on the stage while U2 playing "Love is blindness"...I could have never imagined a better "first time"..does anyone have any pic from then??
LaPao
NYC 2010 !!
I am from Ecuador South America, one of my dreams finally came true. U2 performing live in front of me...saw them both days. Simply AMAZING...Walk On, Ultraviolet and Stay...unbelievable. WAITING for Miami now !! July 9th!!! DON'T MISS IT !
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