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.)
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barney.one
Pinkpop 8 June 1981
I saw them the first time on Pinkpop in Landgraaf (Holland) in 1981. Just a couple of days before I got the lp Boy for my birthday, so I knew the songs. U2 was great that day and impressed me and what a youngsters. Line up: New Adventures, U2, Fischer Z, Madness, Micheal Schenker Group, UB40, Ian Dury and the Blockheads. And now sunday in Horsens, looking forward to see them again!!
anouk63
Torhout/werchter
1982 !!! this is the correct year I sawoyu for the 1st time in T/W ! damn I was young!!!!
chalkat
Tower Theater, Dec 1982, Darby Pa.
I was 15yrs old and in the Bathroom when I heard the opening riff to 11 o'clock tic tock, zipped up w/out shaking and ran to 1st row balcony seat, and I havent missed a show since!! A show I will never forget!! Your the man HARRY!!
Michael Hales
Wembley Stadium 12 July 1987
An incredible concert. I was determined to stay at the front and it was like treading water in the middle of the Atlantic. Put the Joshua Tree programme down the front of my t-shirt - the very nice envelope it came with disintegrated and the pages have been stuck together ever since. It's a young man's game - I had just turned seventeen (I have now just turned forty and sat down with my wife to see U2 for the ninth time in Cardiff last year!).
carlilla
The happiness
Was in 2005, in San Sebastian. With my husband and my sister. For us, remember that night is the happiness. Now we are waiting for september, again San Sebastian, again is a dream come true
Iferia
Elevation - Opening Night
I finally checked my #1 item on my bucket list in Miami: Seeing U2 Live!! It was opening night of the Elevation Tour. I had done everything old school: got up at the break of dawn months earlier to buy the tickets with a bunch of friends. Finally the day was here, with a friend that flew in from Puerto Rico just for this occassion, my night was perfect. Then the unthinkable happened: Bono fell off the stage! There was a collective gasp as everyone waited to know if Bono was ok... suddenly, he was lifted and placed on the heart-shaped stage. Relief all around! Definitely an "I was there!" moment never to be forgotten! Since then, I have been to every show they have done in Florida.
JOSHUA TREE...TORONTO...NO...MONTREAL ..
FIRST TIME? TORONTO...JOSHUA TREE TOUR. HAD THE TICKETS IN MY HANDS. BUDDY GOT TICKETS FOR MONTREAL FOR HIS BIRTHDAY. WE DECIDED TO SELL OUR TICKETS FOR TORONTO AND DRIVE TO MONTREAL TO PARTY FOR MY BUDDIES BDAY AND SEE U2!!! GOT TO MONTREAL TO REALIZE THAT THE TICKETS (THAT WE HADN'T EVEN LOOKED AT ) WERE FOR THE SHOW THE NIGHT BEFORE. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE GOT HAMMERED! HAVE SEEN THEM 4 TIMES SINCE...BUT WE MISSED JOSHUA TREE
blumar
Oakland Outside Broadcast '92
Lost my stadium concert virginity at the Zoo TV Outside Broadcast in 1992 in good 'ol Oakland, CA at the tender age of 16. I remember getting GA tickets and making sure to get to the coliseum early so my friend and I could get near either the stage or the catwalk. The security people forced everyone to sit down (cross-legged); but one guy was defiant. He kept standing and holding a large piece of cardboard that read " 'Lil Smoky." The banter between him and security was our pre-show entertainment. But once the sun set and the band took the stage, I understood, then, what it meant to have music move you; to move your soul - heck, to realize my soul. My first concert was like riding Space Mountain at Disneyland. You start off sitting in the station nervous and anxious...then the brakes suddenly give and you find yourself speeding into the unknown dark guided only by light and sound. You realize that you are safe on this ride and learn to let go and let the ride take over. But before you know it, two hours have passed and you're back in the station - And desperately wanting to do it all over again! Thanks guys for doin' what you do! Can't wait for June 7th - See ya in Oakland!
U2_WOWY
Toronto Zoo TV March 24th 1992
The best concert EVER. Crowd so loud I almost cried.
razor623
Passaic NJ 5/12/83
My first show was on 5/12/83 at the Capitol Theatre in Pasaic, NJ on the War Tour. I was 13 and it was my first concert and had press passes. The setlist was amazing,incredible energy, and Bono climbed the speakers on and off all night. I was hooked and have seen them 20 times since.
cassandrab
Rosemont Horizon-1987
I was in Junior High. I was, and am, a huge fan. My Social Studies Teacher went to the first night's show. The next day, he kept me after class to tell me all about it, knowing what a U2 nut I was. I went home from school & called my Dad at work, begging him to take me. He said no, but showed up a 1/2 hour later. He said, " I don't want you to miss it. We're going." Spectacular! It is a memory I will never forget, as my father has passed & we shared such a fantastic time together. Thanks U2 for giving me that memory :)
Carl E. Nixon
Cleveland 1984 Music Hall
It was a snowy December night outside, and inside it was BLAZING. I had never been to a U2 show before, and it turns out that this was my last chance to see the Band in a small venue ( 3,000 seats ). Every person, for every song was rockin' on their feet. The Waterboys opened. Bono avoided fisticuffs in the audience when he took back a towel that he had tossed into the crowd, then got some scissors, and cut it in half for each guy. Fast forward to next July when I will celebrate my 50th Birthday in Minneapolis. It won't be snowing, but like the other 35 or so shows that I have seen in the meanwhile, I'll bet it is Blazing ! Thanks for the Ride. It has been great. Carl E. Nixon
freddyw2
My first time
Madrid 2005 Vertigo Tour. it was amazing, i touched the bono's hands...
Coolshot32
Dortmund 1989..
.. that was my first U2 concert.. B.B. King was special guest... Since 1989 I never missed a German Tour of "the best LIVE band ever"!!!
beautiful torino 2010
i first saw you this year, a few days ago in torino. although i am from romania i went to italy for the concert and i had a great time. all the effort and the money i spent for the trip, i would do it again in a second :) my favourite songs in the show were "miss sarajevo" and"hold me thrill me kiss me kill me" but please come to Romania too, as soon as possible
karenverduijn
POPmart 1997
My first time was in 1997, POPmart in Rotterdam. I was 15 years old and my brother-in-law and my sister took me with them. It was the best day ever, couln't see anything but the vibe was mindblowing and sinds then I'm hooked. Seen them now for 7 times already, but that first time was the best....
southsidefrog
the first time
I first saw U2 at the University of Chicago. If I remember correctly, it was almost a free concert. I was there by happenstance--a friend of mine wanted to hear this Irish band and since the University of Chicago is only 20 minutes from where I lived, I went with him and a couple of friends. The one song I really remember that sold me on them was "Out of Control". Shortly thereafter, I saw them on MTV singing "Two Hearts." By the time I saw them live again, Rosemont Horizon 1992-- they were a worldwide success and I was a long-time fan. They came a long way in a decade. I have since seen them every time they have been in Chicago. Most moving show--October 2001--a month after 9/11. Bono with an American flag around his shoulder that someone threw up on stage, singing "Wipe your tears away"--an emotional moment for 35,000 fans in the United Center. Best moment--running into Bono as he left the hotel where the band was staying and getting a chance to talk to him for a few minutes in 2005. I had seen the show the night before and was going to the show the next night.
SilBarbosa
My first time was 1998...
... Popmart Tour, on 31/January. I was 20 years and I realized the dream of my life! Was incredible to see the Edge, Larry, Adam.. hear Bono´s voice.. I remember... I cried, smiled, sang, prayed .. together all the emotions in me over two hours!! There are no words for my emotion and devotion for U2! All my eternal love for you! Obs: sorry for my bad english!! Silvana, SP - Brazil
3
March 5th, 1985
My first U2 show was at the LA Sports Arena, March 5th, 1985. I barely got tickets way in the back, and when they opened with "11 O'Clock Tick Tock" it was all over for me, I had found my band. 25 years later, I still feel that way :-)
tulio74
lisboa 1993
first time... great concert after 11 years waiting
SG103070
Amnesty International Benefit
The first time I saw U2, I was 16, it was on June 15 1986 at Giants Stadium during the benefit concert. The band was absolutely electric !!! The next time I see U2 will be just before my 40th birthday this October in Rome, I can't wait.
castle1
The First Time
I was 16, Croke Park, Dublin 1987! Fist time I had heard 40 live!
mariocar
no loine
no line on the horizon no border for a compass I rememeber you in 1989 in Rome, my first concert in the open air, I'll be in Rome on October the eighth.
svalgaard
Copenhagen 1993 Zoo TV Tour
My wife and saw the worlds greatest band live for the first time i 1993 in Copenhagen. Through out the years we have been to 4 shows and are now looking forward to comming sunday i Horsens Denmark. What i remember the most from the show in 1993 was the alterego of Bono Mr. Macfisto, the 3 eastern european car hanging fra the top of the stage, the phonecall to Sarajevo and a lot of Tv screens. Last year we went to Gothenburg to see the 360 tour. What a night. By far the biggest experience. Hope you´ll see for your selves. Whenever, whereeever U2 is comming near Denmark we will bee there. No band no music no lyrics will ever come close to what thoose 4 irish guys mean to us. Love Soeren
tales
dreaming of turin...
I'm 28. I've been following you guys for 15 years and in turin was my first U2 concert. it's been like meeting old friends, heart to heart. I love you guys ps: hope to see you again in Rome!!!! Alessandra, nurse. Carmignano (PO) Italy
eume
1997,Rotterdam PopMArt Tour
I dream with that moment all my life.I'm spanish and I was travelling around Europe.I have seen them 6 more times and I still believe that Popmart was the most spectacular show of U2.Best moments after queuing 9 hours were: "Last night on earth","Where the streets...","With or without you" and my favourite "Please". I will go to San Sebastian this year; I hope they play it again...Thanks U2!!!
Lemonjan
29.05.1992 - ZooTV
My first night at Frankfurt Festhalle. Amazing and breathless. I had hardly for 15minutes no ground below my feet. My t-shirt (Achtung Baby) was wet after that show!
sonyab.
Happy Sweet 16!
It was October 1987 in Toronto at Exibition Stadium when I first witnessed U2 Live! I had just turned 16 and my favourite band to date (and still is) was playing 2 hours away from me. Well I couldn't drive yet so I was fortunate enough to find a bus trip to the concert. Had to beg and plead but adventually I convinced my parents that I was responsible enough to go. They bought me the ticket for my 16th birthday gift- the BEST gift ever!! The bus trip up was a blur but when Where the Streets have No Name started up and Bono came into view- my world was complete and I cried like a teen age baby! I still get goose bumps when I hear that song....that was 23 years ago and I haven't missed a concert since- got up close and in front twice but still haven't gotten to dance with Bono on stage- that is the ultimate dream for me....can we make it happen?
Franfurt,die Festhalle 29th may 1992
After a friend of my brother couldn't go I go with him and another friend of him with a bus from Holland to Frankfurt,that tour where all inside it was warm and really great,I was 16 years old than and eversince I've been to all there concerts,the first in A real big stadium was the next year in Rotterdam at the first day of the europe tour 9th may,they are the best of all the rest!!!
baby
LOVE!
Dear U2! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU!!! Whatever, wherever, whenever you play, when you sing to us Bono, it is OK! Thanks to everyone for all of the beautiful posts, pictures, and videos. I can see U2 from iPhone, iPad, & PC & Bono has really always been and will be right with us! Bono, please be careful swinging on that microphone! I LOVE YOU! Lisa
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