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

22 Oct, 2025

Edge and Bono have accepted the 2025 Woody Guthrie Prize on behalf of U2.

20 Oct, 2025

18 of Adam Clayton's personal bass guitars are to be exhibited in Ireland from today, then auctioned in November.

14 Oct, 2025

'U2: In Camera 1991-1997,' is a unique visual chronicle from ZOOTV to PopMart by  photographer Kevin Davies.

9 Oct, 2025

Word is that the TV documentary Adam presented on Irish showbands is set for international release. Here's the trailer.