'Thank you, Australia, thank you, Sydney for letting us back into your lives… was just thinking today how it’s been 35 years since we've been coming here… and never once has it felt like a day’s work.’
From 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' to 'One', another epic night of rock’n’roll at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Thirty years after Lovetown was here, ‘Desire' makes a tour debut and 'Stuck In A Moment' is back in for a second night.
'Bad' is becoming one of those moments on this tour, every night a surprise as to what unexpected song the band will find inside it. Tonight it was 'Waltzing Matilda'. Last night - check out the video - it was all about Michael Hutchence and INXS's 'Never Tear Us Apart'.
IN THE SETLIST Tour debut for 'Desire' - last outing was at the final show of the North American leg of the eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour in July 2018 and 30 years since it's debut here in Australia on the Lovetown Tour way back in 1989. Also a return to the set (after a quick impromptu guitar change by Edge) for 'You're The Best Thing About Me, last heard on night 2 of the Auckland shows earlier this month.
ON THE FANSITES Remy & his team from fan site @U2Start are doing a grand job chatting with other fans post-show, catching the vibes fresh in the memory - here were some departing thoughts from fans from tonight's show : 'An electric guitar version of You're The Best Thing… really really really nice' 'This could be the last time for years…. anyone who follows them wonders when the next time its gonna happen… a little sadness (on that) “Do you have any voice left Dave” asks Remy? 'Once a jolly swagman…' sings Dave. a local by the sound of it, who goes on to tell the story of Waltzing Matilda…. Check out the full broadcast here :
ON THE SOCIALS @bethandbono: Been infatuated with Australia since I met a bunch of Aussies in 2000 on a 3-week bus tour of Europe. Waltzing Matilda (to which I proudly know all the lyrics) during Bad just made my last two decades.
@dundalkfcsydney: another amazing night in your presence. 32 years ago I got to see you for the first time in Croke Park. Tonight it was the SCG and my 9yo daughter's first time at a U2 gig. Hoping we can do another one soon.
@DartMining: Great to hear Bono giving an unexpected shout-out to the Mining community at the U2 concert in Sydney tonight
@BBardotforever: Soooo excited to see U2 in Sydney tonight!! Hadn't seen them since Rattle n Hum back in the day. You can see how darn excited our crew were: Oscar-worthy excitement!
WHAT (ELSE) DID BONO SAY 'last night we had one of those epic nights of rock'n'roll…. but we were just warming up… and so were you, isn't that right? Let's see where we can take this night"
"this is a wild and extraordinary landscape like no other, but you are and always have been fearless people"
'Can I introduce to you the GREATEST rock and roll band… that would have me as a singer…' (and he did just that - can you guess who is who?) 'U2's very first concert promoter, hosting our very first show in his kitchen on the north side of Dublin' 'the teenage streaker, now wisdom seeker' 'the indefinite article… he comes from the future, and he says its better'
"We don't know when we will next all be together, so I just want to say, thank you for being so supportive of our band, listening to me bang on and on, we don't take this relationship for granted."
AND ALSO A shoutout to Desire & Angel Of Harlem Video Director Richard Lowenstein's film Mystify about INXS - Bono called it 'a great gift to Michael Hutchence's friends, and also to those who did not know him'. (Richard also appeared at the fan-organised 'U2Conference' held in Sydney earlier in the week.: http://u2conference.com/u2con2019/ )
Here's the complete set list and if you were at the SCG tonight, tell us all about it.
Both Friday and Saturday night JT2019 concerts in Sydney will be forever etched in my memories.
Come back again sooner rather than later lads.
byronjh
24 November, 2019
byronj
Have been to all shows in Australia so far. Started in 93, Zoo TV was my first occasion and then every tour since. All these years later and I have my kids with me this tour. U2 own part of my heart and now part of my kids. Heartfelt love to each of them for what they have given me.
johnnysocco
24 November, 2019
Even Better Than Their Last Gig
At 52 I have seen every U2 tour in Sydney. I am as in love with the band as ever. That said the Nov. 22 Sydney concert was their best. It was like God was thanking them for their efforts over the years with perfect weather and not much wind which is a scourge to those bands brave enough to take on an outdoor stadium. This time I brought a couple of my kids and they could see in my misty eyes what all the fuss was about. They were amazed that I knew the words to all the songs and would pivot from jumping up and down wildly to just sitting and soaking it all in. The visuals were insane and yet again set a new benchmark.
I spent the weekend playing all the U2 concert DVD's ...
No pictures with this post as you owe it to yourself to go and see it live.
Thanks Lads for a cracker
malaboo
22 November, 2019
Best of the shows so far
The band were in fine form and Bono especially was much looser tonight and you could feel the passion in all of the songs in the set list. I literally fell back in love with the band at this show and as the 3rd show for me on this tour, I would rank this as my favorite. What can you say about Noel and his HFBs -solid set list played with passion and Noel's classic sense of humor. Great evening. Thank you Ireland for giving us so much talent.
1lnbs1
07 November, 2019
Texas Follows You
Flying from Texas to see this awsome band who i have had the pleasure to follow for many years got to see them in the 2017 US Tour in Dallas Texas, cant wait to see them again in Sydney!!
knowerofnada
17 June, 2019
Syd #1 AND #2
Excited to tears from a LIFELONG fan!! Coming from Baton Rouge, LA USA and getting to see BOTH shows!!! This is my first time outside North America, and my first time in the Red Zone. I can't wait to visit and see you in Oz! The original Joshua Tree Tour 1987 at LSU Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, LA was my first concert ever at the tender age of 14. Was lucky enough for you to visit my hometown of New Orleans for JT 2017, and now we will see you in SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA! Feels like a dream!!!
TheMoMan
13 June, 2019
Sydney night #2!!!
Getting excited for 2 Sydney shows!!!!! Coming from San Francisco, CA!