War

My first U2 gig - I would have been 17. Travelled up from Basingstoke with a couple of mates in an old Renault 6 (just about go there !). We were also up on the balcony near the front. Brilliant show, with Bono up to his usual antics (climbing stuff), as he had a tenacity to do back then. We enjoyed the show so much that we went back a week later (21st March - Hammersmith Arena) without tickets. An older friend spotted Paul Young on the guest list and tried to see if he could get us in (he couldn't). So we listened from outside the main doors (Big Country were the support act). Then this beaten up white transit van pulls up outside and out jump Bono, Edge, Larry and Adam, running late for the gig ! Amazing to witness. Over the years I have seen the band many times (15 at the last count), The Longest Day, Unforgettable Fire, Joshua Tree, Elevation, Pop, Vertigo, I&E etc. really looking forward to seeing the boys on the next tour. Great memories and will always be my go to band.

This show was my first time seeing U2. The venue was excellent. I was in the left balcony and had a great view. I didn’t grow to love the War album until years later, but I liked most of the tracks in ‘83. I was, however, massively in love with both Boy and October. I relished the performances of those albums’ songs, especially. I saw future U2 shows, in ‘85, ‘96, three 360 Degree shows, and three more concerts in the ‘10s…every one of the shows, from ‘85 on, were phenomenal. The 1983 show took place during a transitional time for U2 (IMO), and it was electric and exciting, but the band were even better from ‘85 onward. I wish I had a photo to share, but I had a crummy camera in ‘83, and didn’t bother with photos. I look forward to the next U2 shows, and I am hoping they might tour focusing on their 90’s output, Achtung Baby!, Zooropa, and POP. Those albums sound better than ever to me, and that is saying a lot. Tremendous music.