The Joshua Tree Tour 2017

Aug 1 2017
Brussels, BE / Stade Roi-Baudouin
with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
89

'MIDNIGHT, OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS…' Stade Roi-Baudouin, Brussels for the final night of the European leg of #TheJoshuaTree2017.

When & Where
Tuesday, August 1st 2017, Stade Roi-Baudouin, Brussels, 33rd show of the year, 12th and final night of the European leg of #U2TheJoshuaTree2017

Social Posts
We chatted up some fans at the show and asked them to DM us some thoughts about Brussels

@bonojour - a younger U2 fan and maybe even bigger Noel Gallagher follower, has been to quite a few shows this leg - writes :
'Looking back at the gig in Brussels I only remember a lot of tears. The first fell the moment I looked at the massive Joshua Tree, took a picture and posted on FB that this was going to be my last show seeing Noel and U2 live. I usually NEVER cry seeing Noel. I compare his gigs with a pub show, where you hang around sipping beer with your best mates and know the people playing songs on the tiny stage. NGHFB is familiarity, friendship and above all a lot of memories and fun. It's songs made to sing along to. 
For the last gig I knew I wanted to make a sign, not for him to even have banter at but just for him to read and know. The bright pink obnoxious thing read: 'NOEL + U2 = BROKE BUT HAPPY', broke and happy being highlighted by little stones to highlight the fact that those are keywords in the short phrase. When I held it up Gem (guitarist, for the U2 fans who showed me pics of him and thought they met Noel) started laughing and waited for Noel to read it. Noel's reply was a “Wait, what does that say?” when I put it down too quickly (he's a slow reader, even after my sign training at Lowlands he still needs his time…). He then followed it with “Awww, you're broke and happy? Well, I'm one of those.” 
Ignoring the fact that he awwed at me (I'm much taller than you, you twig!!!!), it does sum up Noel's feelings regarding this tour. Many people didn't understand why he'd open for U2. They don't know they're friends, they don't know Noel has gone to U2 gigs since he was 15. They don't know Noel is standing in the back holding his hands up in the air… Noel understands U2, defends them and loves them. And that's what it's about this tour for me. Knowing that your hero shares the same love for that same band from Ireland. And above that, that your hero is just like you, one simple thing in regards of The Joshua Tree Tour. Happy'.

@mrmarkreed was one of the lucky few who were invited as friends & family of fire officers along to the band rehearsal before the Twickenham shows. He has also been to a number of European dates this time around :
'U2 brought the Joshua Tree to Brussels for the last performance on European soil. We said hello and goodbye to many songs for what is probably the last time - the old friends will be missed. Many of these songs have found new life this year, and I hope to see them again on future tours : but if not, we had this. A glorious and unexpected reframing of the songs to make old feel new again. 
It's also an opportunity to say 'see you soon' to many friends on the road. And to close the show, and the tour, U2 busted out a rampaging I Will Follow ending where they began, four boys playing rock'n'roll with crazy ideas to make a difference. More importantly, the song is a promise between the band and the audience, where we go, they will follow - and where they go, so will we. The future beckons - the next European tour cannot come soon enough.'

U2Fansites
Remy from fansite @U2Start has seen shows in the US and Europe this time around : 
'In what Bono referred to as the capital of a great idea called Europe, The Joshua Tree tour said farewell to Europe. Bono promised us an epic night of rock & roll and boy, did they deliver. From the magic of Bad (one of those truly epic songs, especially with the David Bowie snippets) to the power and rage of Exit (easily one of the highlights of all my 2017 shows) and to the pure energy and joys of I Will Follow, U2 made it a night not to forget.
The four Irish guys on stage kept on smiling during the show and visibly enjoying doing what they were destined to do, making music about so much more than just music. Songs like Running To Stand Still and One Tree Hill had so much emotion, they really hit me. Will Europe ever again hear some of these amazing Joshua Tree songs live? Time will tell, but for now us Europeans can embrace the wonderful memories and wait for what U2 will bring next.
The European shows were incredible and showed to me that The Joshua Tree is an album of us all, a timeless piece of music which connects so deeply to so many different people, all brought together by music./

In The Press  
De Morgen: 'From “Bruxelles ma belle” to the American canyons and to the horror in Jordan and Syria: U2 took us on a world tour in the King Baudouin stadium. A Grand Gesture on Tuesday night, with a thrilling show that sent you away shaking and singing loudly…'

If You Had To Pick One Song 
Mothers of the Disappeared.. with everyone singing the chant long after the song had ended.
'In the wind we hear their laughter
In the rain we see their tears.
Hear their heartbeat, we hear their heartbeat.'

What (else) did Bono Say?
“Let's just say right at the start, how proud we are to be in the capital of a great idea called Europe… it's not finished yet… it's a great idea… …we let go of some things… and hold on to some things a little more tightly..”

Review On U2.com 
catherinealterman: An amazing night. 'We had an amazing night yesterday in Brussels. We were happy to discover Liam's live performance first. When U2 started with Sunday Bloody Sunday, it immediately brought back a lot of memories and our hearts started to beat faster. It was an intense and fantastic musical journey. And like every good journey we left with the feeling it ended too soon but with, like little kids, star in our eyes and love in our heart. That's what U2 music made to us. Thanks guys for this great show!'

Other Noteworthy Stuff :
Big shoutout to the U2 crew, especially the Belgian tribe, and special dedication to Smasher.
Show dedicated to memory of Sam Shepard.

If you were at the Brussels show, tell us all about it. Add your own reviews and photos to the comments below

    Sao Paulo - last show of The Joshua Tree Tour 2017. Video by instagram.com/mvsphotography
    Comments
    89
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    pschobelock37
    Twickenham
    Made the trek across the pond to see my lads again. This time on European soil. Our best friend had just died of a brain tumor and we decided that "someday" was a 4 letter word....so we went! We toasted to his honor and life and were overcome.....It was magic...4th time for me and now I'm going to the San Diego show (my home town). Transformed, tearful, grateful, energized, humbled, renewed, HOPEFUL...to sign these songs with 80,000 like minded souls is truly an experience not to be missed. Thank you Edge, Bono, Larry and Adam.
    antoniorandisi
    the unforgettable night!!!
    will never forget, as usual!! we'll follow you everywhere!
    rafke2009
    Memories@BXL
    Almost 1 month later, I'm still enjoying this historic moment. I received the cassette The Joshua Tree at my 13th. During the concert I flashed back many times to my youth. Hearing for the first time in my life live Running up that hill, God's Country or Exit, was so special. I realized at the same time that would also be the last time, probably. Talking about the voice of Bono: despite many critics, his voice stille standing up during a live performance! Respect & Thanks
    Leo
    From father to son
    Another dream coming true as I took my youngest son, Andreas (12) to his first U2 concert. What a great experience! Last time I took his brother Gabriel (now 15) to the iNNOCENCE+eXPERIENCE tour in Antwerp. :)
    boborock
    Great show
    30 years ago i was with my sister in Rotterdam U2 Joshua tree show 1987 now we where in Brussel Joshua tree show with my sister and my wife it brought back lots of memory,s and still after 30 years The Joshua tree is one of the greatest albums of all time Thanks jou U2 for it✨
    Smoske
    Joshua Tree 2017
    It was sooooo good! Hope U2 will come back soon!
    VERMEULEN
    Still excited .. much more than a show
    Unforgettable night @Brussels - Koning Boudewijnstadion #So close to my idols#amazing screen .. Waw !! #U2 made in Belgium#great opener : the whole of the moon#looking forward to your new album#U2 wins#U2 dares to take new challenges#love that#greetings Veronique x
    BlackWave
    Bono by Bono
    1 week after, my mind is still there, it was so great ! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to live so great moments (since 1987 for me)
    siggi1964
    Brussels rules!!
    Great Show!!!
    SvenVDC
    Fantastic songs and performance from the
    Together with many friends we enjoyed this performance as the many before... with an excellent list of songs and a magnificent screen and stage... the only less positive aspect is that we really needed earplugs as the sound (and we were at the back!) was way too loud to be healthy. Hope they take this into account in the future and keep performing for many more years.
    stephanienaert
    U2#Brussels#Alps
    The concert in Brussels on Aug 1 gave us loads of energy for our hike in the Alps which we started the day after.
    vago
    another night to last forever
    Thank you guys for another night to last forever, just like good wine you become better and better. Finally i got a grip on Exit and Trip T Y Wires and Red Hill Town was great. I'm a fan since Werchter 1986, and since Antwerp '15 and Paris 6/12/15 my lady also. We hope to see you soon , with Love from Belgium.
    PATRISIA
    Notte magica a Bruxelles
    U2 in My Head, U2 in My Heart, U2 in My soul... ogni volta uno spettacolo unico ed indimenticabile. Gigliola, Padova, Italy
    johnaldo
    amazing wonderfull evening !!!
    Wonderfull evening, perfect audience and U2 at its best ( as always). From the energetic, powerfull, simple beginning like only U2 can, to the stunning screen with spot on visuals (thank you Anton ) for the Joshua tree songs (Exit wow) to I will follow, I only can say I will, I will !! And we are ready for what's next !
    michke1
    U2 Brussels
    I still have goosebumbs! It was awesome once again, impossible to forget! Thanks boys! Hope to see you soon!
    christophedelbart
    Wonderful.. Beautiful.. Magnifique.. Sup
    Thanks to Bono, The Edge, Adam and Larry for this fantastic show..
    Ysa26
    Amazing time...
    Wimbledon has Strawberries & Cream, Twickenham has Strawberries & U2!!!
    faxe65
    U2 Brussels
    great BAND, great SHOW, crazy NIGHT, crazy CROWD, great L.O.V.E !!! THX a lot!!! more pics here --> https://www.facebook.com/FotographybyGuenterDziubon/
    nancyandpat
    Goosebumps during 2 hours...
    Wow! What an unforgettable concert. Amazing, Beautiful, Magnificent, Even Better Than The Real Thing, Just perfect. I will follow until the end of the world!
    huberreke
    Dad & Sun
    My 2nd U2 gig and again it was AMAZING !!!!! Please stay performing as I want to beat my dad :) First time you performed my favorite song : E-L-E-V-A-T-I-O-N .... wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Love from Belgium
    obia
    too good - almost unfair ;-)
    Second time to see them live and what an amazing concert ! Such a grand group to make even the poor sound of the stadium sound good ! Noel Gallagher was a classy opening act but U2 are truly wonderful ! They even manage to look better every year - so much so that it is almost unfair to all other men in the music business ! They just get better as they get older !
    MiracleHeart
    Simplicity...
    I loved simplicity of the show and i finally heard "Exit" :D
    nathalie7171
    Playlist from my youth-my lifetime heroe
    The first U2 show for my 14year old daughter. I wanted to introduce her to my heroes and charing the vibes with her that you feel when attending a big concert. And what an introduction it was ! The lights and video's were beautiful ! And the music.... One big party !! She never saw her mother acting that crazy..... Thank you for bringing more colour in my life over the years and for inspiring us, for standing out and therefor helping us believe in a better future. Come back soon ❤️
    lucvanhout
    What a great gig
    Thanks U2
    chermans12
    After the show in Brussels
    Thanks for the great evening to my familie and the guy we see after the show
    snurdy
    so unforgettable great concert ever!!
    We a group of 3 and one young one whit us rockt the whole concert! as a Bassguitar player I loved te basselines from Adam!
    marijkevandeneede
    A lot of people waiting for U2
    Night we will never forget
    hawkmoon269part2
    How cool does it get?
    We flew from Manchester to see the last night of the European tour in Brussels. U2 and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds on the same night - it doesn't get any better than that. The intensity of the crowd was remarkable and both bands were just superb. Thank you so much.
    Fdosanz
    What a great night!!!
    Bono
    Passie
    Brussels was Great
    Glad to be a part of the fans who shows our respect
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