Pre-War

This was the very first U2 gig. I was desperate to see them live. I was 17 at the time. I wanted to see U2 on their October tour but my parents wouldn’t allow me to go as they deemed me to young to go to a gig. The gig was amazing. Hearing 11 O’clock tick took and I Will Follow live for the first time made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I hade played Boy to death on my little record player. On the way home on the train from Manchester to Bangor in North Wales, I sat on the train, the type with the little compartments with other U2 fans, strangers with one big thing in common and I was high on adrenalin from the gig. I was absolutely buzzing. I have seen U2 fifty two more times since and remain just a big fan now as I did in 1980 when I received Boy for Christmas. I’ve seen some amazing U2 shows over the years including being pulled up onstage during one show in 1983 but the very first show at the Manchester Apollo in December 1982 will always remain one of the most special gigs ever in my heart and memory.

This was the first time I saw U2, and they were fantastic. Still one of the best live shows I have ever seen, and they also had great support from The Alarm.

What a great night - songs from Boy and October, interspersed with several from the forthcoming War album. An Cat Dubh and The Electric Co. made the hairs on your neck stand up. The band were in great form, with Bono creating a party atmosphere by extending 11 O'Clock Tick Tock into We Wish You a Merry Christmas and making the crowd join in! A chaotic second rendition of I Will Follow, where the band seemd to each do their own things, finished off a night to remember. To quote a song from 27 years later - 'Magnificent'.