Top Hat Ballroom - Dublin

9 Sep 1978
Supporting The Stranglers (and a spot of bother)

Edge: 'We landed the opening act for The Stranglers at The Top Hat Ballroom. It was our first exposure to playing alongside a hit band and a slightly disillusioning moment to realize that the punk ethos didn't extend to giving your support band a dressing-room or a few beers.'

Adam: 'I don't think we got a soundcheck and they had taken all the dressing-rooms so we had to hang out backstage behind the speaker stacks... I think Bono just felt the hostility of the audience which was hardcore punk who didn't have any tolerance for us.'

Bono: We broke into their dressing room during the gig and stole their wine. I was full of righteous indignation and fearlessness. It was a kind of anger that was in me, always picking fights with people who were much bigger.'

(From 'U2 by U2')

RECENT NEWS

8 Jan, 2026

Bono writing for The Atlantic on why the key to prisoner Marwan Barghouti's cell could unlock more than his door - an Irish take on possibilities for an Israeli Palestinian peace. 

 

 

29 Dec, 2025

Now on YouTube. Bono and Edge performing five songs at the Woody Guthrie Prize ceremony and in conversation with T Bone Burnett.

7
19 Dec, 2025

On U2X Radio, Adam's latest musical conversation is with Laura Lee Ochoa, bassist and vocalist for Khruangbin (for listeners in North America).

1
12 Dec, 2025

In the US? Tune in to Edge's conversation with Kevin Parker of Tame Impala for U2X Radio.

1