'Ahimsa' in Mumbai
Special guests on stage for the final night of the tour.
AR Rahman and vocalists Ria, Raheema and Khatija joined the band onstage in Mumbai tonight for a beautiful debut live performance of 'Ahimsa'.
In another surprise at the DY Patil Stadium, Noel Gallagher, whose High Flying Birds have joined U2 on so many of the Joshua Tree dates in 2017 and 2019, was back on stage for 'Desire'.
And everyone joined the band on stage for One, the final song on the final night of a tour that opened up in Vancouver in May 2017 and, nearly seventy stadiums later, a fitting way to close a remarkable journey.
'We come to India as pilgrims,' Bono had explained early in the show. 'Like so many over centuries… we come in search of the great soul Gandhi…. We are students… you are our teachers…'.
The spirit of Gandhi, Martin Luther King and John Lennon was in the house, as 'Give Peace A Chance' emerged from a spine-tingling version of 'Bad'.
'India, India, India what a story you're writing! You're just getting started aren't you?
The other day we were at the house of Mahatma Gandhi… the latest pilgrims on that journey
Martin Luther King came and slept there. John and Yoko came to this city as students of peaceful protest, taught us this prayer: All we are saying is give peace a chance…
'You know what I'm talking about… women know what I'm talking about… some minorities know what I'm talking about… the next door neighborhood knows what I'm talking about...
So let's sing it loud
All we are saying is give peace a chance.
In every corner of this great country and around the world …sing it with us… India taught us this song…
Then with your votes, turn this meditation into legislation.
All we are saying... is give peace a chance…'
IN THE PRESS
Nilanjana Basu for NDTV
'U2's The Joshua Tree Concert in Mumbai turned into an even more magical affair when celebrated musician AR Rahman joined band members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr on stage. AR Rahman, who took the stage with his daughters Khatija and Raheema, performed the much celebrated single Ahimsa, which is composed in collaboration with the Irish rock band and released in November. Speaking to NDTV in an exclusive interview in September, U2 frontman Bono had said "India gave the word greatest gift - Ahimsa (non-violence). "The humongous sea of fans at Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium was left mesmerised as dramatic lighting, paired with Bono's vocals and the Rahman trio's chant-like wordings cast a musical spell". …U2 made sure that their first ever Mumbai concert was nothing less than legendary. The Irish rock band set the audience grooving to their popular tracks such as With Or Without You, Where The Streets Have No Name and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For from their 1987 album The Joshua Tree'.
Deborah Cornelious for The Hindu
'After acknowledging the fact that it took the band four decades to come to India, Bono said, "Let's make this prayer in the dark: all we are saying is give peace a chance," before proceeding to sample The Plastic Ono Band's 'Give Peace a Chance'. He went as far as to say the audience should use their votes to turn this meditation into a "legislation." The band performed against an LED screen spanning the massive stage… Ending the second act for The Joshua Tree, U2 skipped ahead to the '90s with a special appearance from Noel Gallagher (ex-Oasis and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds). Stepping off the stage, Bono, dressed in a black suit with glittered lapels and a top hat, and the band returned a few minutes later to start the 'rock show' with 'Elevation'. The final act of the evening included a particularly inspiring rendition of 'Ultra Violet' asking for equal rights for women and the plea for them to be safe in their own homes and the streets. The song accompanied visuals of strong women who have "rewritten history," including Karuna Nundy, the Gulabi gang, Arundhati Roy, Gauri Lankesh, Amrita Shergill, and Smriti Irani alongside Rana Ayyub. The show ended with 'One'. For the Indian audiences, Bono heavily alluded to peace, Mahatma Gandhi, Satyagraha and a light dose of Hindi including, "Kaise ho? (How are you?)." Finally, the band walked off the stage to the Tricolour lighting up the screen. Two years, an iconic album and U2 went out with a bang.'
IN THE SETLIST
'Ahimsa' Tour debut performance, in fact world live premiere this evening in Mumbai! At the other end of the scale, as well as every single song from 'The Joshua Tree' album making the setlist tonight AND every other Joshua Tree date this decade, only 6 other songs end up claiming that status too : 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', New Year's Day', 'Pride (In The Name Of Love)', 'Elevation', 'Beautiful Day' and finally, 'One'.
WHAT DID A.R. RAHMAN SAY
"Performing with U2 in Mumbai, in a way, was celebrating Mahatma Gandhi and his world revered faith, Ahimsa. We are touched by U2's stand against Injustice, for women empowerment and for goodness in this world. The collaboration with U2 on 'Ahimsa', comes at a very appropriate time, while the whole world celebrates 150 years of the Mahatma, the message of Ahimsa needs to reach every nook and corner. This is also a debut performance for my daughters, Khatija and Raheema, singing in a rock concert. I hope the people who came for the concert enjoyed the performance!"
WHAT ELSE DID BONO SAY
'Namaste Mumbai… thank you for your patience… what a country… what a welcome. One thing's for sure - tonight is gonna be the BEST show we ever played in India! It's early days… and we have fallen head over heels in love with this EPIC, miraculous story that is India'.
'This is our Irish flag - green, white and orange - you may recognise some similarities with your own flag… we've got a few other connections : our big boss, our Prime Minister,… Leo Varadkar, was born in Dublin, BUT his father was from right around here… and Leo, our Taoiseach trained as a Doctor here in this city of Mumbai'.
The singer then handed over the microphone to his bandmates to ask them what they thought about being here in India for the first time as a band :
Larry : 'Only been here for a few days, it looks to me like we all are gonna just have to come back.'
The Edge : 'It's taken us a long time to get here… it's been such a thrill. It's the end of The Joshua Tree Tour tonight, but we're here for the first time playing so it feels like the very beginning of something special.'
Adam : 'I'm so grateful that the journey we're on has brought us to India, and I'm also so grateful that these companions have come with us all the way.'
ON THE SOCIALS
@dwipenacharya : Absolutely STUNNING Graphics Amazing Energy Pure Music No Alcohol No Riff Raffs The BEST Concert Of My Life Thank You @U2 & @NoelGallagher for making my dream come true
@Forestmoss : #Ahimsa in #Mumbai What a finale for #TheJoshuaTreeTour2019 @U2 Thankyou #U2 for such a great tour, consistently reminding us of our core values, healthy ethics and humane responsibilities!!
@chin80 : The claps, the roar, the encore, the energy and emotions throughout. Insane gig. You performed all our fav tracks. You left us asking for more. Overwhelmed.
ON THE FANSITES
@u2gigs : 'Waving bye bye JT2019. This was a trip to never forget starting earlier in Singapore and ending today in Mumbai!'
@U2start : 'Give Peace A Chance snippet in Bad in Mumbai, amazing!'
@madfl3a : 'Thank you @U2 for the thrill, the joy, the dreams come true and the hopes fulfilled. This tour has been a thing of wonder, even from a distance. Forever grateful for the light you bring to me, now go, take your time, we'll be here. Much love guys'
AND FINALLY
@U2ThreeChords : For sale: 2,418 inch flat screen 8K TV. 11.4 million pixels. 196 x 45 feet. One careful owner. PS Buyer must collect.
Here's the complete set list and if you were at the show in Mumbai tonight, tell us all about it.
Add your own review and photos below.
Set List
Sunday Bloody Sunday
I Will Follow
New Year's Day
Bad
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Where The Streets Have No Name
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
With Or Without You
Bullet The Blue Sky
Running To Stand Still
Red Hill Mining Town
In God's Country
Trip Through Your Wires
One Tree Hill
Exit
Mothers of the Disappeared
Desire
I Will Follow
New Year's Day
Bad
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Where The Streets Have No Name
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
With Or Without You
Bullet The Blue Sky
Running To Stand Still
Red Hill Mining Town
In God's Country
Trip Through Your Wires
One Tree Hill
Exit
Mothers of the Disappeared
Desire
Encore
IMAGE + VIDEO
Comments
17
Dreamvoyager
04 October, 2020 Hottest Ticket of Mumbai & Most Memorabl
We, a bunch of die-hard U2 fans from Indian Navy, were proudly priviledged to be a part of this swashbuckling, high-octane, dramatic and super-rocking live show on 15 Dec 2019, the last leg of U2's 2019 The Joshua Tree Tour. Having purchased Front Row tickets on the First Day of its sale in the country, we were in the queue for entry into DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, at about 1300h for a show starting at 1930h, holding on two the tickets as if our lives depended on it. Our Gang was one of the firsts to enter the ground, already so energetic and alive, and we made sure we were right up at the front line from the stage. This was possible because of Bose Brothers' valiant effort & kool ladies of our group.
'The Whole of the Moon' got the show going, like many other shows. I run out of words as the show rolled out, with Larry walking tall and leading the guys on stage, Right on time . . . My eyes were in tears & so were Sachin's eyes, as we both screamed at the sight of the four koolest dudes on planet Earth, taking their places on the stage, almost at an arms length from us . . . . . It was our LONGEST, MOST AWAITED CHILDHOOD DREAM UNFOLDING & COMING TRUE !! . . . & we actually didnt know how to react but cry like a child, in nostalgia of 'cassette' era of school & college days . . . Larry's solo on 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' jolted us back to the concert - he hasn't missed a beat all these years, Bono's melody filled the entire Mumbai city as he extended 'Bad' with 'Give Peace a Chance'. .. . 'Pride (In the name of Love)' was super sensational . . . . Then came the BEST ALBUM EVER composed by a Singer / Group in the World (Period). As Edge weilded his guitar like a magician, without missing a note & Adam thumped the Bass, we screamed (even in our choked, flawed but awed voices !) Every Word of Every Song of the album along with Bono . . . . 'Bullet the Blue Sky' ripped through the night sky of Mumbai with the same tenacity as we had first heard it some 33 years ago . . . . Our favourite 'I Still havent found . . ' was probably the most remarkable song of the evening, played with same subtle ingenuity (ironically, we HAD Found what we were looking for all these years, a ticket to Live U2 concert :) !!) . . . Bono's super acrobatics on stage reached pinnacle at 'Exit' as the song varied tempo from slow start to high end. It was followed with Probably the only sombre-mood song of the eve, 'Mothers of Disappeared', that slowed down our ever-racing heart beats. . . but only to heighten again as Noel (Gallagher) brought in english accent to 'Desire' to steal a small piece of thunder from the unstoppable Irishmen . . . . It's a mystery, from where these guys get their incomparable energy, as after a brief exit from the stage & quick re-entry, they reached the last part of the show (Encores), starting with absolutely hi-voltage 'Elevation'. The acoustic 'Every Breaking wave' gelled smoothly into the cool night breeze, slipping into ever refreshing 'Beautiful Day', a befitting title to the Day-leading-to-most-memorable-night'of our lives . . .. After crooning ' . . .Baby, light my way', the Band teamed up with AR Rahman, India's ace musician for 'Áhimsa'. We, alas!, came to the most dreaded part of the show - The End ! with 'One' sung together with Rahman and Noel.
We lived the best moments of our lives right out there, watching the living legends, the world's best pop / rock quartet, easily the G.O.A.T. on world music scene and the idols we have grown up listening . .. . the best rocking group of the world that has actually shaped our thoughts and hence, our lives. Beyond their unparallelled musical sense, their unity as Band to stay together for some 40 years, in Bono's words "keeping the egos out of the recording room", each one pulling his weight . .. . the guys with spunk and metal, a straight spine, to stand up for cause and their work for world peace, green peace, efforts in writing off poor countries' bad loans . . . . the list goes on and one . . . these guys are truly icons to follow and legends of our times. Rightly so, I remained so AWE STRUCK that it has taken me close to one year to overcome it and right this review... :) . . . Can't hardly wait to see these guys perform one more time . . . . !!
Cheers to the BEST Rocking Band of our time, of All Time - U2 !!!
Forever Band of U2 fans - Toral, Shubha, Ipshita, Shalini, Chaitali, Anupriya, Akshima, Sachin Rane, Raj Kiran Johri, Bose brothers - Himadri & Niladri, Pushkar Kumar, Hemant Ghosh, Amol Jahagirdar & myself Aashish Vora
dan_for_u2
27 May, 2020 U2 in India
I wished I knew it sooner. Probably will wait for the next time they scheduled a tour here.
Please come back soon!
arpanag
20 December, 2019 U2 in Mumbai + 1st Love in my city
Waited for almost 30 years for this. Finally, first watched U2 in Singapore. Was a dream come true. I went alone from Mumbai, came back making lifetime U2 friends. Mumbai was to happen again, and this time I went with my oldest friend. We have grown up together with U2. My friend and my brother had their own bands back in the 90's and would jam to U2 songs just for me. Mumbai was AMAZING. I thought I had done with crying in Singapore. But once Bad started, I was weeping like a baby. Best happy tears. This was the best birthday present by my family (they gifted me the tickets, and my birthday is in July) .What is the procedure to get back to normal life again?
jamesthorn
18 December, 2019 Magic in Mumbai
I first saw U2 in 1983 where they headlined a charity event for a "No Nukes" campaign in London. I had not heard them much before but they blew me away with their energy and crafted songs. The Edge played like no guitarist I had ever heard before, melodious and adding to the song without overpowering or upstaging his bandmates. I saw them twice in the 90s in California where they continued to enthrall me with their performances. I was fortunate to see them again in 2017 in London for the very beginnings of the Joshua Tree tour. The show was very good and I could see and hear that the same songs I loved are the same songs that they loved. Then came Mumbai, my home for the past 4 years. It's hard to put into words what I felt that night. It was apparent that India has cast an indelible impression on them that is has on many including me. They showed it in their playing all night long. Bono stretched his vocal cords a bit, knowing that this was the last show for a while and trying to fulfill the desires of the crowd of over 50,000 to hear their songs in the same version as it has existed since being recorded all those years ago. The Edge gave some extra licks and was more animated on stage than he has been in a long time. Adam Clayton pounded the bass and his never ending smiles let you know that he was really enjoying himself. Larry Mullin, Jr. almost never smiles but he did when the camera zoomed in on his back and you could see that his tee shirt had 15-12-2019 Mumbai, India printed on it. The crowd loved that and gave his a raucous roar of approval. This show meant a lot to the Rock n Roll starved audience that exists in India and the crowd sang along to every song all night long. Even though they played over 25 songs I could have listened to them for hours longer. I have to say that even though I have been a U2 fan since that first show in 1983 I am now a bigger fan. Please come back soon!
togians
17 December, 2019 What a great night!
We flew to Mumbai from the Netherlands to see U2 perform in this incredible country.
It became a legendary 4 day visit (and concert) in a city with so many extremes. How to enjoy a rock concert when you saw children sleeping on the streets just the night before?
It made us realize what a strange world we actually live in and how luck we are to be able to fly all the way to Mumbai to see our heroes.
Berry van Welzen
dhavaldave
17 December, 2019 greatest show ever
the best rock show ever
nicky74
15 December, 2019 Love and Peace
I was not at the show in Mumbai, but I hope those that were had a wonderful experience. While I am a bit sad that there were no live streams today, I am grateful for what we had/have: a magnificent band that has brought together people of all nationalities, religions, beliefs, ethnicities, etc. A band that can make us forget whatever problems we may have, if only for a little while. A band that makes us think beyond ourselves, and maybe inspires us to help others and be a better person. A band that is still kicking ass after forty years together!
As this tour ends, and I am excited about new music, and the possibility of a new tour, I hope they get some needed rest and time with their families. I wish them the best and would also like to say Thank You!
Thank you for the music, the great times at your shows, and all of the lovely people that have been brought together through you and your music. Thank you for all the things that have been done through your charities, or done by those inspired by you.
Some people say U2 is just a band, but they are so much more than that. They have influenced and impacted so many lives, and that is why I am happy to say I am a fan.
And I am also happy that India finally got to share in the joy of a U2 show! It is an experience you will never forget!
Until next time, love and peace!
lorenzomotta
15 December, 2019 U2 finally in India!
I wait a lot of time but finally U2 music arrives in India in his best way, live concert!
AlexPolPearson
14 December, 2019 Hello Mumbai
My wife Yvette and I have been in Mumbai all week for our first visit to India. We traveled 13,546 km from San Jose, California to feel the love of Indian people and fellow u2 fans. Joshua Tree national Park was the first time we really bonded as friends in camping on the desert floor 27 years ago and we spent a windy cold night in a tent there few years later for our honeymoon. It’s practically our favorite place on earth and out last visit was earlier in 2019. U2 as a band has been our soundtrack in life and we are cherishing this concert experience in a country we are falling in love with. Only a few hours to go until we hop in the car and get dropped off at My wife Yvette and I have been in Mumbai all week for our first visit to India. We traveled 13,546 km from San Jose, California to feel the love of Indian people and fellow u2 fans. Joshua Tree national Park was the first time we really bonded as friends in camping on the desert floor 27 years ago and we spent a windy cold night in a tent there few years later for our honeymoon. It’s practically our favorite place on earth and out last visit was earlier in 2019. U2 as a band has been our soundtrack in life and we are cherishing this concert experience in a country we are falling in love with. Only a few hours to go until we hop in the car and get dropped off at My wife Yvette and I have been in Mumbai all week for our first visit to India. We traveled 13,546 km from San Jose, California to feel the love of Indian people and fellow u2 fans. Joshua Tree national Park was the first time we really bonded as friends in camping on the desert floor 27 years ago and we spent a windy cold night in a tent there few years later for our honeymoon. It’s practically our favorite place on earth and out last visit was earlier in 2019. U2 as a band has been our soundtrack in life and we are cherishing this concert experience in a country we are falling in love with. Only a few hours to go until we hop in the car and get dropped off at D Y Patil Sports Stadium. Namaste everyone.
RajatSingh
12 December, 2019 It's gonna be a beautiful day
I'm on my way from Delhi to Mumbai! Will be there leaving it all behind. Getting my folks down too!
What I really wanted to know if the edge of anybody got some time on their hands to give us bunch a hi five or say hi! My mother is a very big fan!
lassche
10 December, 2019 The end of a dream?
10-12-2019: Word Human Rights Day.
In Mumbai. It's good to see that the boys are in a good shape. Thanks to the psysical
therapist and other staff personal of the best crew in the world.
Take Some time Tomorrow Bono to think about how to implant the Human Rights in the final Son g of INNOCENT. You can do it. Wake Up India, wake Up the rest of the World.
We? are Pelgrims on our way to Vertigo. Love and light My way U2&We?
Detlev Lassche, underground Oldenzaal town.
Miss You Sugar. .. ... 4:14-40.
VikiUppal
25 September, 2019 The Joshua Tree Trilogy
The Joshua Tree Trilogy will be complete.
London 2017, Berlin 2017 and Mumbai 2019.
I'll see you again,
When the stars fall from the sky,
And the moon has turned red,
Over One Tree Hill ...
Thank you again U2.
Vik - London Prestige.
KunalIndia
24 September, 2019 U2 in India..dream come true!!! booked i
U2 in India..dream come true!!! booked in pre-sales...lets rock Mumbai!!
RIMEBIRD
24 September, 2019 Anthems & Rockstars
Sometime you can’t make it on your own,
On the streets that are baptized with no name,
From the cradle to the grave all I want is you,
Hold me, thrill me, kiss me, kill me & I’ll take the blame,
I may walk on under the influence of miracle drug,
Staring at the sun and Jesus will carry my shame,
All because of (U2) there is this beautiful day under the Joshua tree,
Under the blood red sky your magnificence set me free,
Gloria, you’re an angel of Harlem that I desire,
You’re the sweetest thing that purified this unforgettable fire,
There are numberless that I am missing here that went down my spine,
But one heart, one hope, one love, one song…
And it’s the same song that brought me to divine…
With or without you, I can’t live…
With or without you… I loose my sign!
Read more: https://www.rimebird.com/2010/02/anthems-rockstars.html?q=anthems+and+rockstars#ixzz60QdeEgYp
MarcHKG
23 September, 2019 8 Minutes to Presale
Tick tock....
mooner
20 September, 2019 India, India, India, India, India
“India, India, India, India, India
I'm American, ha ha ha
India...” - The Psychedelic Furs
Captain American Soul wishes he could witness this epic show.
alibono
17 September, 2019 ❤️❤️❤️
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