So, the U2 360 tour is well underway and has recently passed through their hometown – Dublin if who didn’t know. I was lucky to get a ticket, one of the 250K tickets sold for the three gigs.

I took a trip to the U2 planet and what a ride. They really know how to perform and give a kick ass concert. Songs from 8 different albums and of course the normal political theatre…But, it was another amazing U2 experience. If you can, get a ticket to a gig near you.

Venue: Croke Park
Capacity: approx. 85K people (this number has not been confirmed, as some sources say 80 and some say 90, I took the average of the two)

This is the third time I’ve see U2 in Ireland, and the third time I’ve seen U2, and yet again they pulled off another amazing performance. How many bands can play their music non-stop for over 2 hours. Well, how many bands even have that many known songs?

Croke Park was electrified during the entire gig and Bono was being his usual leadsinger and actor. He worked the audience as a true professional entertainer, and at times a true preacher. Not too convinced, but he has one hell of an audience and can get the message out to millions. Especially when Bono informed the audience that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded Amnesty International’s most prestigious honour – the ‘Ambassador of Conscience’ Award for 2009. People came on stage wearing masks with her face on.

Even Desmond Tutu made a guest appearance on the giant screen, surrounded by all bright colours. The crowd went banans when Tutu said that Irish people inspired people across the World with their fighting spirit, during the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

So, what’s with the 360 stage? To me it looked more like a wierd contraption of plastic and aluminium tubes, as if the designer had been on some psychedelic acid trip and had drawn a gigantic spider mixed with a tripod from War of the World. And, based on the stage location in Croke Park, it was not exactly 360 degrees, more like 270. However, they managed to deal with that, by having a massive extendable 360 screen hovering over the stage, so everybody could see the boys as they played all the fantastic songs.

When talking to friends who attended the Friday and Saturday concerts, you soon learn that U2 is a highly professional organisation, where timing and performances are strictly kept. The set list was alsmot identical to Friday night’s performance – but this DOES NOT take ANYTHING away from the superb experience and performance by U2.

So, well done and thanks U2, for another unforgettable evening.

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Set List:

Breathe

No Line On The Horizon

Get On Your Boots

Magnificent

Beautiful Day

New Year’s Day

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

Stay

Unknown Caller

Unforgettable Fire

City of Blinding Lights

Vertigo

I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight (Remix)

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Pride (In The Name of Love)

MLK

Walk On

Where The Streets Have No Name

One

Bad

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Ultraviolet

With Or Without You

Moment of Surrender