The Joshua Tree Tour 2019

Dec 5 2019
Tokyo, JP / Saitama Super Arena
23

'Rock'n'roll transcendence..

'Last night we had a very special time but let me tell you why we're back again…  because we want to take it to the next level, some kind of rock'n'roll transcendence tonight.
'I don't know how you translate rock'n'roll transcendence but I  think you can feel what we're talking about. We're here to surrender to each other, to music, to love…'

Tonight Bad was played in memory of the physician Tetsu Nakamura, head of the Japanese aid agency Peace Japan Medical Services, who was killed with  five others in an ambush in Afghanistan earlier this week.

'Let's take a moment in the dark to notice we are here, present, together… some indoor starlight, let's turn this sports stadium into a cathedral, our phones into candles… to memorialise the great Tetsu Nakamura, a great man from a great and generous country…'

Tonight it was Simon and Garfunkel's The Boxer that made it's way into Bad, coming to a close with 'Blessed are the peacemakers…'

It's all about The Joshua Tree but this tour has plenty other stellar moments too - Elevation, Vertigo and 'Real Thing' were outstanding tonight. 

IN THE SETLIST
Exciting 2019 Tour debut for 'Gloria', 30 years to the very month since it was last performed here in Japan - in Osaka, Dec 1 1989 on the Lovetown Tour;  local fans were more than ready for it :

@tanerisan : 待望のU2来日公演に行ってきた!2曲目にまさかの「Gloria」!(この曲って今年演奏されてないよね?) 初期U2好きにはたらない選曲で飛び上がった!初日も行った人は「I will follow」と合わせて感動だろうな〜。
(translated ) : 'I went to the long-awaited U2 tour in Japan! The second song “Gloria”! (This song hasn't been played this year, right?) Jumped up with an irresistible song selection for early U2 fans! Those who went on the first day would be impressed with “I will follow”.

@utsuneko3 : いやね、2日目より1日目行くべきかなとずっと思ってたんですでもね、突然演奏した(U2の中でもとりわけ好きな)Gloriaのおかげて、「2日目で良かった」と心のそこから思えるぜ 動画撮ってたけど発狂しすぎてヤバイから上げないぜ!
(translated ) 'No, I always wondered if I should go from day 2 to day 1. But, thanks to Gloria, who played suddenly (especially in U2), I think from my heart, "It was good on the second day." I was taking a video but I was too crazy to raise it!'

ON THE SOCIALS
@Noodles105 : 'If someone asks me why i still love U2 in 2019, almost 2020, after 43 years of career, i will replay to close his eyes and listen to this extraordinary version of THE MASTERPIECE' (Bad) #U2 #Bad #Tokyo (2) #TheJoshuaTreeTour2019 

@mysteriousdays (Vid, who has been following the band around the Southern hemisphere and she has seen most of the shows to date this year) : 'Tokyo2 is deffo my fave show on this tour! because (in no particular order): 1 - (Japan) & Japanese hospitality 2 - Gloria 3 - Bad, always Bad 4 - Hallelujah ending on Running 5 - Love is Bigger crowd sing along'

ON THE FANSITES
Zootopia Mod Max Tsukino travelled here from his home in Mexico City to see the Tokyo shows, a long-held bucket list event for him. We tracked him down after tonight's show, to a Karaoke Bar, mixing with other fans, local and international, (choosing u2 songs from the presented menu of course - and asked him his thoughts about Show 2 in Tokyo, and the trip as a whole : 'It was great to see the band playing in the Saitama Super Arena. They are in top form and you can feel how happy they are finally coming back to Japan. There is an additional component to the equation : it doesn't matter in which part of the venue you are (GA or seats) if you look to the left or the right you would find very happy fans, those who traveled from lands far from here and those who are from within this 'land of the rising sun'. Bono mentioned that in the end, it is not chemicals, alcohol or anything else, it is the audience who elevates the band… and in turn, they do the same for us fans…the band elevate us as much as we do to each other.'

WHAT ELSE DID BONO SAY
'Thanks for 2 nights… 2 extraordinary nights. Thanks for supporting the ONE Campaign… RED'

AND ALSO…
Shoutout tonight during Beautiful Day from the singer to writer and long-time U2.com contributor @godgrrl Cathleen Falsani and was also dedicated to Sadako Ogata, high-profile Japanese diplomat who served as the first female United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 1991 to 2000, who passed away recently.

'When women of the World unite to rewrite HIStory as HERstory… that's a beautiful day… women of the World… Madame Ogata - this is for you”

Here's the complete set list and if you were at second show in Tokyo tonight, tell us all about it. 

Add your own review and photos below.




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    Comments
    23
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    chammy
    It really was a “Rock’n Roll Transcende
    The show started a bit late. It was 5 or 6 songs on the SE after the scheduled time till “The whole of the moon” told the start of the show. But when the show did start, boy What a experience it was!! The sound was clear, the band was tight, and the reaction of the audience was really something, and that seems to bring more energy to the band. Yes they were on fire tonight. I never realized that the B-side of the album had so much variety and dimension, even danceable. At first I was thinking of taking a little rest during the B-side, since I was jumping and dancing through the first part of the show and the A-side of the album, but couldn’t resist and danced the whole way through (except for “The Mothers of The Disappeared”). The post Joshua Tree songs added more energy to the audience. The audience including me, jumped and danced through the rocking songs, and was moved by the slower songs. The chorus of “Love is Bigger Than Anything in It’s Way ” by the audience didn’t end long after the song ended, and the band couldn’t start the next (and the last) song “One”. They seemed to be touched by the audience’s reaction. Tonight it really was a “Rock’n Roll Transcendence” as Bono said during the first part of the show. So Thank you U2 for such an experience, and I should really think of a way to seeing them again in the near future (can’t wait another 13years for them to come back).
    chammy
    It really was a “Rock’n Roll Transcende
    The show started a bit late. It was 5 or 6songs on the SE after the scheduled time till “The whole of the moon” told the start of the show. But when the show did start, boy What a experience it was!! The sound was clear, the band was tight, and the reaction of the audience was really something, and that seems to bring more energy to the band. Yes they were on fire tonight. I never realized that the B-side of the album had so much variety and dimension, even danceable. At first I was thinking of taking a little rest during the B-side, since I was jumping and dancing through the first part of the show and the A-side of the album, but couldn’t resist and danced the whole way through (except for “The Mothers of The Disappeared”). The post Joshua Tree songs added more energy to the audience. The audience including me, jumped and danced through the rocking songs, and was moved by the slower songs. The chorus of “Love is Bigger Than Anything in It’s Way ” by the audience didn’t end long after the song ended, and the band couldn’t start the next (and the last) song “One”. They seemed to be touched by the audience’s reaction. Tonight it really was a “Rock’n Roll Transcendence” as Bono said during the first part of the show. So Thank you U2 for such an experience, and I should really think of a way to seeing them again in the near future (can’t wait another 13years for them to come back).
    StephOnTour87
    Thanks boys for those two great concerts
    I have followed U2 on every tour since 1987, and I have to say that these two concerts are now among my top 10. The band was in great shape, awesome voice from Bono, great sound, and I especially loved all the little jokes about Anton Corbijn being expensive, or Adam wearing nothing under his kimono. I felt a complicity inside the band itself that I hadn't seen for a long time. And playing "Gloria" on the second show as the second song was a pure delight. Thanks boys for those two great nights, you now deserve a little rest before a new album and a new tour ! Thanks for all, see you again in a couple of years ! Love, Steph (U2France)
    Sid_Garcia
    Red 'U2' Flag Day
    My wife, Mimi, gifted me this trip to Japan to see my first ever U2 concert. Will see them in Manila for my second U2 concert, this time with my son, Nicolas. Thank you to my wife, Mimi and my two sons, Savion and Nicolas - I love U3.
    milly2009
    Emotional two nights
    13 years ago, 2006, I was in Saitama Super Arena for my first U2 gig in Japan. So superb it was, I have been to 360°tour in 2009 and 2010, (London, Glasgow,Hannover) and to ei tour in 2018 (Sep.1 Berlin (canceled after five songs) & Nov.13 Berlin again (rescheduled)). On those days. keep dreaming and hopeing and waiting for U2 Japan tour. Now I am the most happiest Japanese fan in the world. Me and my friends were waving Ireland national flags to show our welcome, respect,and love to U2 on Dec. 4. (Did you see ? on the Edge side in 2nd level) On Dec 5, we were rushing into the Red Zone on Dec 5. So crowded there, soul,passion,loud music of U2 surround us and felt great joy. Please come back to Japan soon! P.S. To Larry Thank you for coming to "Man on the train" show after long fight from Singapore. I never forget to shaking hands with you at the party.
    wilsondude
    Reliving Joshua Tree w/teenage daughter
    I attended about 10 concerts of the original Joshua Tree tour in the late 1980s. While those shows in small arenas with a young, energetic U2 and myself were amazing and unforgettable, this Tokyo show surpassed those performances because I was able to share this with my 15-year-old daughter. One moment that was particularly moving for my daughter and me was the images of women who have and continue to have an impact on society.
    PaceEVENTS
    From past Howth days......Brilliant
    Was in Singapore then Tokyo. Brilliant. Now in Seoul before Manila... First time to see the lads after I saw them in the Community Centre in Howth back in 1978. I think they are a bit better now......Brilliant. From an old friend of the Hewson family. Peter Connerton, Baldoyle, Sutton, Howth....It is a beautiful day...Thank you.
    Beno77
    Full video of Bad on December 5th 2019
    Was lucky to be at the front row of the tier, had a wonderful view. Was at both shows, but this performance of Bad on the second night, really had my eyes welling up! Superb! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot8QX6Bhrvs&feature=youtu.be
    ryushi
    Seen the U2 show for the first time in J
    Thanks U2 for another great show!
    jennyostermiller
    Light my way
    An incredible performance of "Ultraviolet" lit my way at the December 5 show. Thanks to the band for bringing such a memorable night to Tokyo.
    a_lemon
    13years so long, too long!
    Thank you for coming back to Japan after 13 years! Yes, I was there in 2006 as well. I didn’t think I would be able to see U2 concert ever again in Japan. Please come back whenever you can, hopefully soon! Thank you for the unforgettable show 2 night in the raw.
    TkcAshboy
    oh sweetest thing
    great birthday gift for me, born as a December's child. wanna be stuck in this moment soon!
    TAKIZAWA
    Sunday U2 Sunday
    On this Sunday, I listen to U2 all the day. I cannot wait for the Joshua tree tour in Japan in this week.
    filousek
    Tokyo combo / Seoul
    Tokyo combo / Seoul After 10 gigs in 2018 you will see Czech republic / EU flag again in Tokyo /4.-5./ and Seoul. Pleasure to join the u2 tribe again. Dream out loud at high volume
    Hlousek
    Prague to Tokyo for U2 Dec 5 concert
    Don´t worry "Globaltraveler" :-) You are not alone "a bit crazy to consider going from DC to Tokyo to see this show again". We are going from Prague ( Czech in EU ). to visit after Joshua Tree 2017 in Berlin . Of course then Songs Inn. + Exp. tours as well. First time in Japan will be nice to meet up with other fans outside of Europe !
    globaltraveler
    Washington DC to Tokyo for Dec 5 concert
    I bought a GA ticket during presale. I think I'm a bit crazy to consider going from DC to Tokyo to see this show again, but I figure they won't tour for a while and I love Tokyo as well. Would be great to meet up with other fans before the show!
    discotheques1
    From Ottawa to Tokyo for U2
    Ever since reading a Propaganda article about the U2 show's in Tokyo during the Zoo TV tour I have been dreaming of attending a concert in Japan! This year I will be able to fulfill that dream!! I can remember our High School in the mid-90s having only one computer with access to the internet. Much like General Admission at a concert, you would have to run to get first dibs to access that station. I was so excited to see the first U2 website and then the promo for the Pop album, etc... Boy we have come a long way since those days! Anyhow, enough nostalgia from this fan!! If anyone can post any details once they arrive in Tokyo about how to line up at the stadium, pick up your tickets at the 7-Eleven, etc... that would be great! Flying in on Wednesday night and will hit the road running on Thursday. Also excited to meet some of the other international fans travelling to the show.
    mdorsey3
    Celebrating my 50th birthday at U2 in To
    A friend told me that I am silly to go all the way to Japan from North Carolina to see U2 for my 50th birthday. Well, only a true fan understands.
    johndieselx
    From Denver to Tokyo for U2
    I CANNOT WAIT :-) First time in Japan and U2 was the last push I needed to make it happen. I'm so excited to see my boys play again. I have not seen you since the stop at the Rose Bowl stop in LA during the 2017 Joshua Tree Tour. I would love to meet up with others attending the December 5th concert in Tokyo!! I'm so excited! what a blessing! Juan
    TimFid
    In!
    See you all in Saitama on December 5th!
    jennyostermiller
    Best Christmas present ever...
    I will be moving to Tokyo in a couple of months, and it was like Christmas opening my e-mail Friday morning to see the Joshua Tree Tour announced in Japan. I saw the tour in 2017 in Croke Park and only catching one date on the Joshua Tree tour was a major regret. So glad to right that wrong! Larry, Bono, Adam and Edge, I hope to see you in the Red Zone on December 5. So glad to be celebrating one dozen shows this Holiday season.
    900
    dream.... to be continued
    I hope to see you again ... and again and again .
    nozomu
    Welcome back!
    I just appreciate your greatest decision (I won't be able to make it as I'm in the US though.) My mom is ready for being elevated in the RED ZONE!
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