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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ivomerckx
1982-2010
10th December,Mechelen my first U2 concert at the age of 15. After seeing the band, I saw every U2-gig when they where playing in Belgium. A U2 concert isn't a concert,it's..."a postive vibe" feeling it together with,10,20,30,40,50,60000... other people. Oh by the way,at the fist concert there where about 80 people. I never get closer to the band as a that concert. Yes I have a dream,to shake hands with every member of the band. ...but,sometimes dreams are more beautiful than facts! Greetings,Ivo.(Belgium)
predatorcule
16th may 1992: ZOO TV TOUR
The first time I saw U2 was the 16th may 1992 in Barcelona. I was 26. Big Show !! After this first time, I have been in the Barcelona shows on the Vertigo Tour and the U2360º too (the 2 days). I have tickets for Paris and San Sebastian, too. THE SHOW MUST GO ON !!!
Horizon188
Bono's 33th Birthday!
I was 17 years old when I saw U2 for the first time. It was in Rotterdam. It was Bono's 33th Birthday (10-05-1993) and my friend and I celebrated it by eating cake while we where on the road to Rotterdam. Goosebumps when the whole stadion sang at the end of the song Pride (in the name of love) 'oh, oh, oh, oh'. Later that year we went to Nijmegen (03-08-1993) and my friend and I where so lucky to arrive on the first row. What an experience! MacPhisto called Hans Janmaat and sang 'I Just Called to Say I Love You'. Last year I took my husband to his first U2 show in Amsterdam (20-07-2010) and he loved it. On our vacation to the US we where so lucky to see U2 again. It was in Phoenix (20-10-2009) and I hoped this night would never end. This year our vacation goes to Spain because U2 is playing in San Sebastian and we will be there!
David9
25th August 1985
I first saw U2 on the 25th August 1985 play on the back of a truck at a music festival called "lark by the lee" in cork, ireland. I was 16. One of the best days of my life. 1. I Will Follow 2. Sunday Bloody Sunday 3. Gloria 4. Pride (In The Name Of Love) 5. Knockin' On Heaven's Door 6. 40
kalos
Will see on 6th August in Turin!
On the 6th August in Turin will be mi first time at U2 concert. I was 17 years old when I listened Pride. (now I'm 45) It was love at first sight! See you soon in TURIN
dublin240605
my first time to see U2 on stage
It was in 1993 in Cologne. I was 19 years old and already fan for 9 years. But my parents never allwoed to go to a concert earlier. I was deeply impressed about the energy. Although I was standing somewhere in the crowd not so close to the stage. on that day I decided to never be again so far away from the stage and now I am always in the FOS :-) Since then I never had better concerts then the U2 concerts. Thank you for all the positive energy I get from your shows!!! See you next week in Turin. Christina
nazhira
Croke 27
I miss you too much
Viktorv
20 years ago
At that time I was 20, even if I started to listen their music when I was 16 that was the first opportunity for me to get the tickets and finally see them performing live. It was on a ZOO TV tour in Milan (Italy), I came very early to get close to the stage. I'll never forget that day, I lost my voice because I was singing with them every single song. The concert last for almost 3 hours. Unforgettable experience. Now 20 years later I have a 10 year old son, big U2 fan (I guess is in the genes) and we are going together on a 360 tour in Sevilla in September. I'm looking forward for that moment; Me, my son and our favourite band. U2 thank you for the "art of noise" that you've been creating all these years. Take care and see you in September.
fletcjr
Kwazulu
Lausanne, Malley ice-rink. May 1992. Achtung Baby tour, Trebants hanging down from the ceiling, DJ Fannin pre-ZooTV meglomania hype. Bono in a white vest, TV screens showing Joshua Tree footage. He just looked everyone in the eye and told us all to sing loud. Next time in Lausanne June 1993 at the Olympic Stadium, it was the full blown media event. Tickets sold out in 7.5 mins, ZooTV had arrived....in Mysterious Ways. Managed to find a way backstage and found Larry trying out a Harley, but the bodyguard denounced us before we could say Joe Bonnie.....(so close, faraway). Since then in Dublin, Cape Town & Munich. Coming up...Turin. No matter where, U2 is the greatest show on Earth!
caz63
the first time
my first and only time i have seen u2 was vertigo tour june 29th 2005 in cardiff,i was sitting in my seat still not actually believeing that i was finally going to see the band that i had loved for over 20 years,then they took the stage,it was out of ths world,it is a night that i will never forget. a very memorible night.. caz, west midlands uk.
gugly67
modena 30/ 05/1987
the best concert for me. GRAZIE MILLE!!!!!!
Sunny_girl
Amsterdam 2009
Yeah I know it's not that long ago but everytime U2 came to the Netherlands the tickets sold out so fast!! That's why I was so happy I got the tickets. I did'nt sleep for a week. The concert was everything I dreamed of and more. "magnificent" was beautiful and when they started "still haven't found" I cried my eyes out. When so many people sing this song you feel so little. That night I was the luckiest person in the world. Because Bono told a lot of things about my country ( things in the news and how they started out in the Netherlands) it makes it that much more personal. I shows they really care, more than you know. When they come again. I will do everything to get tickets, I want to see, hear and feel this again. After I came back from the concert I lived on a cloud for a week. I hope they will keep on touring for many years. Their music saved me in so many ways. I truly admire them. I am only 24 but I hope I will be able to take my kids to their concert ;)
Toronto, Sept 16 2010
Okay, so it's a fairly recent gig. however, it's a huge deal for me because i've been a fan of U2 since i was 14; i heard 'I Will Follow' on a ratty cassette tape and i wondered who was responsible for that otherworldly guitar sound. That was 29 years ago. I live in the Philippines and i doubt there's a chance that U2 will ever play here. i ended up being part of a very successful band here and we covered U2 songs on occassion. i left the band after 20 years under unpleasant circumstances, and the first thing i did was listen to U2 all over again, looking for hope, looking for a reason why i should still be a musician. i found reason to continue, but more importantly, reason to appreciate life. U2 songs have always done this... and at the lowest point of my life, i was uplifted all over again. I was fortunate enough to score a movie here called "Dinig Sana Kita (If I Knew What You Said)" that ended up being exhibited at the 2009 TIFF and lo and behold, two U2 dates were scheduled right in the middle of TIFF week!!! My girl Niña was able to score tickets in the cheapest seats (her brother directed the movie, and we are all HUGE U2 fans), mainly because that was all we could afford, and my visa was approved on time (they were able to get theirs two weeks before the dates). Being invited to TIFF is a huge honour, but getting the chance to see U2... that was a blessing, a gift from heaven :) I cried my eyes out during "City Of Blinding Lights." "They're advertising in the skies/For people like us... Do you see the beauty inside of me?/What happened to the beauty i had inside of me?" i think i found myself all over again that moment. i was dumbfounded when they played "The Unforgettable Fire." I must admit though that halfway through the gig, i was feeling bad... 'The Claw' looked awesome, the sound pristine... but we were a bit too far. But maybe that's a good thing. if we were any closer, i would've been crying the entire time. besides, it's a good excuse to save up and get better tickets in the future :) For now, i can at least say that i have seen live the one band that has literally saved my sanity, my spirituality, and mostly, my life :D
ajfmoita1
Lisboa, PORTUGAL 15.05.93
What a magnificent show...Zooropa 93. «Hello, I'm Mr. McPhisto and I want a taxi to get me home...»
jackie robson
My First Time!!
The first time I saw U2 was in the 'old ' Wembley stadium on the Joshua Tree tour. In those days you had to spend hours hitting redial on the telephone for tickets.... I wiggled my way as near to the front as I could and had nothing to eat or drink all day so I didn't lose my spot!! It was fantastic and a day i have never forgotton. i have been lucky enought to see them on every tour since and it only gets better and better!!
Celebrian
Stockholm under a thunder cloud and rain
It was July 31st 1993 Stockholm Stadion, Sweden, my name day ((Helen) and the first time I'd ever been to a rock concert let alone a U2 concert. When I arrived, with my friend, off the ship from Turku, Finland, on the morning of the of concert, it was pouring down raining and continued to rain through-out the day, while waiting outside the venue, and nearly all night too! But we didn't let the rain dampen our spirits and neither did U2! It was Zooropa and one amazing mind blowing, censoring over-loading show! It even stopped raining soon after U2 played Stay for the first time ever live, according to Bono. And who, at the beginning of the song, shouted up to the sky for it to stop raining! I think someone up there must have heard him!! All in all, it was a very memorable show and left me wanting more! The show even inspired me to write my first ever review, so that I would remember every aspect of my first ever U2 concert. I've been meaning to type up this 6 page A4 page review onto one of my many blogs, and I think it's t finally time I did!! So, even now, after 17 years and 5 more U2 concerts later whenever I read through this review, I'm transported back in time and am still able to envisage the show and all the emotions I felt, the excitement and the wonder of seeing Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry in the flesh for the very first time ever!
Celebrian
Stockholm under a thunder cloud and rain
It was July 31st 1993 Stockholm Stadion, Sweden, my name day ((Helen) and the first time I'd ever been to a rock concert let alone a U2 concert. When I arrived, with my friend, off the ship from Turku, Finland, on the morning of the of concert, it was pouring down raining and continued to rain through-out the day, while waiting outside the venue, and nearly all night too! But we didn't let the rain dampen our spirits and neither did U2! It was Zooropa and one amazing mind blowing, censoring over-loading show! It even stopped raining soon after U2 played Stay for the first time ever live, according to Bono. And who, at the beginning of the song, shouted up to the sky for it to stop raining! I think someone up there must have heard him!! All in all, it was a very memorable show and left me wanting more! The show even inspired me to write my first ever review, so that I would remember every aspect of my first ever U2 concert. I've been meaning to type up this 6 page A4 page review onto one of my many blogs, and I think it's t finally time I did!! So, even now, after 17 years and 5 more U2 concerts later whenever I read through this review, I'm transported back in time and am still able to envisage the show and all the emotions I felt, the excitement and the wonder of seeing Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry in the flesh for the very first time ever!
henrik104
1992 Sacramento
Being a foreign exchange student in California at the age of 18 and from Denmark I did not know much about U2. But that all changed when my swedish mate kept talking about how cool they where + they had a new amazing sound. I agreed going to Sacramento to see them indoor. I was blown away by their music and moved by being on air at the Freddie Mercury Tribute 1992 in Wembley Now im going to my 5th U2 concert in Horsens Denmark in august
LoriB76
Vertigo Tour in Chicago
We sat 3 rows from the back for the stage. My best friend kept saying all night that she could make it as in jump on to the stage. Luckily she didn't because I wasn't bailing her out of jail or leaving early when she got the boot. It was a fantastic show.
Grayedge
The Longest day,, M K Bowl
MY 1st Time was The Longest Day Festival in Milton Keynes,,,, U2 were headlining a very strong lineup,,, But we all know that the Ramones, REM were just supporting U2.... the only gig they did that year in England apart from Live Aid... Great day,,, raining all day,, we were all soaked,,, but who cared the band played a memorable set,,, the backing machine for the greatest U2 song ever (BAD) malfunctioned so Bono told a few jokes, not very well then got a guy to get on the stage & do better until they rolled into Bad,,,, Unforgetable :-)
jimijimi
My first time..
The first time I saw U2 was on 21st july 2009, or known as the 360 degrees tour, unfortunately i wasn't be able to go to the elevation tour and the vertigo tour. I'm now 15 years old, so I was then too young to go to a concert, my parents said. But it was a great concert and I hope there will follow many more great U2 concerts!
Vertigo Tour MX
When U2 come to MX city with the vertigo tour was the first time that i saw played on live this band, and it was a most beautiful concert that i had never seen before.
whiskeyandbanjo
St. Patricks Day 1985
March 17th, 1985, Denver, CO—Unforgettable Fire Tour I was 19. It was the first time I'd ever road-tripped out of state. U2 was on the cover of the current issue of the Rolling Stone. Their first cover. The event is just magic in my memory. The day was one of those perfect Rocky Mountain spring days. 65 degrees, sunny, just gorgeous. The show started with bagpipes that ended when Bono sauntered out and yelled "One mile is not high enough! We're goin' up and we're never comin' down!" U2 then put on the best show I'd ever seen. I was really struck by the warmth I felt coming from the stage. That's the only word that really describes it for me. I was a big U2 fan, but I didn't really understand them until that moment. I go to all U2 shows now like a junky looking for that "warmth" fix. The JT and Zoo tours, though amazing, lacked it. I think Elevation, Vertigo and 360 brought it back.
brono
torhout 1985
It was Juy 1985, a week after my 15° birthday. Weeks before i asked my parents many times if i could go. Finnaly they say yes. The weather was fantastic that day. We were on the right site of the stage where a had a beautiful vieuw of the red sun at the horizon and in front Bono with his wite shirt, black pants and black boots. The show was amazing! We sang,i didn't now the lyrics so good back then, jumped, ... Last song "40". The crowd leaved by singing "howlong..." between the campfires at home.
storm8259
1985 Unforgettable Fire, Unforgettable N
My first time was in the small Musensaal in Mannheim Germany. I was a soldier stationed nearby and had heard some of their songs from War and went with a friend to see them. I was hooked, singing 40 while Bono climbed around the stage and balcony. I saw them again in 86, Conspiracy of Hope in Atlanta, with Police reunion. I didn't see them again until last August in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, another great show. I'm going back next month to Frankfurt and taking my 13 year old son for his first ever concert (might as well be the best).
nightfly3000
Opening for J. Geils, 1982
I had no idea who U2 was when I was 15 and saw them open for J. Geils @ the Indianapolis Convention Center in 1982. I remember that it was difficult to see the band because they were all back lit like they were too shy to be hit with the white hot spot light. It wasn't until 2005 that I saw them again but U2 will always be the the first band I saw live. I live in L.A. now but Indy misses you guys. Chicago is close but not close enough. Come on down 65 and have some fun in Indy.
Queensland
Western Springs, Auckland New Zealand
Love Comes TO Town Tour, 11/11/1989, aged 23 at Western Springs, Auckland New Zealand. The days of Rattle and Hum, and the days when you could start right down the back and work your way right up to the stage, without having to pay a premium lol. The music was powerful, the stage raw, and the band sincere. Loved BB King and U2 together, such a musical expereince. Better than the real thing.
1981 or 2
NYC...pier 84...OPENING for The Alarm??? Or was it the other way around??? Then a couple of years later in my college gym!!!
ardagoithe
My First Time
I first saw U2 , when i was 20 , in 1980 . They played support to The Police at Leixlip Castle in Ireland . They were brilliant , i was hooked and have been ever since . They made a U2 sign out of Wavin piping and it was hung at the back of the stage in front of the black curtain . Bono nearly came a cropper during one of the songs . He was climbing on the scaffolding as he was singing and slipped , falling to the stage . Thankfully , he was OK and carried on with the gig . Thanks
usuireikimaster
1981 - BOY TOUR-Bayou, Washington, D.C.
Their FIRST American tour - "BOY" - a few months after release . The Bayou was packed. EVERYONE there knew all the songs from BOY; we all sang each song and each encore after encore after encore. There was a PASSION there that night that was never again evoked at The Bayou; and I've been there many times. U2 created our love of the Band because they give 1000%; the lyrics are filled with EMOTION - something only U2 still dares to DO - as a ROCK BAND. I fell in love then and now 30 years later, THEY ARE STILL MY FAVORITE BAND! I just finished watching the episode of "Deadliest Catch" when Phil had his funeral, and I heard Bono and the boys singing such a beautiful song - a True Tribute to a Man of the Sea. Thank You for all the GREAT YEARS! See ya in Miami 2011!
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