"We Irish were the Dreamers of our day. Economic refugees, that's what we were. We must not forget". (Bono before Trip Through Your Wires, tonight dedicated to 'The Dreamers').
When & Where
Tuesday, September 5th 2017, New Era Field, Buffalo, New York. Show 34 of #U2TheJoshuaTree2017
Set List
Full set list from Buffalo here
Social Posts
@mysteriousdays - 'Vid' from Canada is a huge fan of the band, and this tour - she sent us her feelings via DM right after this show, still buzzing after one of her group, Sil, was pulled up on stage by Bono to dance during Mysterious Ways :
'Why do you see multiple U2 shows? This is a question that many of my non-U2 family and friends ask me. We do love our favourite band, and we love seeing them live, but beyond that there is something about the experience of gathering with our friends at repeated shows that is magical. What else would bring together people from different parts of the world other than our love for this amazing band?
Exhibit A: Canadian, American, Brazilian and French girls meet in Buffalo. Can you imagine the laughs in their hotel room as they worked on creating this masterpiece?
Exhibit B: Mysterious Ways brings on stage Birthday Girl Silvia Rigote. A thunderous cheer is heard throughout the audience from the thousands of fans excited to see their friend Silvia being pulled up on stage to dance with Bono for Mysterious Ways! What an epic night for Silvia!
Exhibit C: Die-hard fans were busy tweeting and messaging each other during the show to keep up with all the Beatles snippets! Bono mentioned that U2 remember playing Buffalo in 1980, the night that John Lennon died. Helter Skelter was snippeted in Vertigo. Come Together was snippeted during Still Haven't Found, and there were a few other snippets which this fan will need to find after reaching out to the fan community!'
In The Press
Buffalo News: 'After a late start under The Waterboys' "The Whole of the Moon"-- under a full moon over Orchard Park--the quartet busted into the militaristic cadence of "Sunday Bloody Sunday," which rang just as poignant as it debuted 34 years ago. Perched on the edge of a catwalk jutting into the crowd, they transitioned into fellow classic "New Year's Day" before delivering arguably the night's most personal moment: complimenting Buffalo before recalling its famous show at Stage One on December 8, 1980, the night John Lennon was killed.
"Kindness the blind can see and the deaf can hear: Buffalo," said Bono. This led into the isolation, revelation and condemnation of "Bad," a song that still elicits an emotional response impressive in any setting. At New Era, it drew shouts and cries, all amid a stadium illuminated by cell phone flashlights. But this show was about celebrating "The Joshua Tree." With the opening trio of "Where the Streets Have No Name," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and "With or Without You," the band did just this, transporting many back to a 1987-era Aud on the euphoric wave of echoing Edge chords. And this persisted into the thick of its set. The political unrest of "Bullet the Blue Sky." The rarest of brass-backed thrills with "Red Hill Mining Town." The unbridled jangle of "Trip Through Your Wires," which Bono dedicated to the recently threatened Dreamers of DACA.
All were working for a band still at the top of its game--and still injecting a spiritual charge into audiences game for salvation….'
If You Had To Pick One Song
Beautiful Day
@Alyjh02 - 'was brought to tears tonight with such a moving, incredible performance. It really was a beautiful day'
@Hwy_girl 'Niagara Falls right in front of you. During Beautiful Day!'
What (else) did Bono Say?
"Thank you for kindness. Kindness the blind can see and the deaf can hear. Buffalo… Buffalo"
Then, remembering the night that the band first ever played Buffalo, back in 1980, the very same fateful night that John Lennon was murdered :
"I'm going back to the first time we played this city, the night John Lennon was shot dead. We'll never forget it… Buffalo… And tonight our prayer is a simple one… a night that none of us forget, for all the right reasons… an EPIC night of rock and roll! A night to hold tight what lifts us up and to let go of what holds us back.
A slight lyric shift in Streets as a recognition to the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey 'I wanna take shelter… from the hurricane' - also referenced later.
'This country has been a second home for this band, and it is an amazing country and we feel very blessed to be part, even a tiny part of your lives. America, not just a country; an idea - a great idea. One of the best ideas ever. Recently we have seen a twisting of that idea, stirring animosity, summoning hatred. Bitter division here in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! After Hurricane Harvey, watching Texans cross every kind of divide to help their neighbour - thats reminding the world of the America we always knew was here… that's who you are…"
Review On U2.com
kevin_mcelligott 'Thank you! Last night I got to see my all. Last night I got to see my all time favorite band with the love of my life. The smile she had from ear to ear made the 4 hour wait worth it. Thank you U2 for the most amazing night. You are my all time favourite band!'
Other Noteworthy Stuff
Was that a "Drowning Man' snippet appearance in 'One' ?
'We'll ride on the wings of eagles'
A night of snippets in fact.. (thanks to @U2gigs for list)
Give Peace A Chance (Lennon) / America (Simon & Garfunkel) in Bad
California (There Is No End To Love) in Streets
'Come Together' (Beatles) in ISHFWILF
'War' (Edwin Starr) and 'America' (West Side Story) in BTBS
'Wise Blood' & Eeny Meeny Miny Moe' in Exit
'Starman' (Bowie) in Beautiful Day
'Helter Skelter' (Beatles) in Vertigo
'Miss you' (Stones) In Mysterious Ways
If you were at the show tonight, tell us all about it. Add your own review and photos on our tour pages.
