Dublin 1997

18 Years Since the Last Belfast Concert

A lot has changed since U2 last played Belfast, in 1997.

Heck, a lot has happened since U2 last played a gig.

The Irish rock legends had just completed two nights of a four-night run in Paris last week when Islamic State terrorists struck the French capital.

The band's shows on Saturday and Sunday were dramatically called off, with frontman Bono lamenting, "This is the first direct hit on music that we've had in this so-called 'war on terror' or whatever it's called." 

And on Wednesday night, the band returned to live action in a city that has witnessed its own share of bloodshed over the years.

The SSE Arena must be amongst the smallest venues the supergroup has played in years.

And they were determined to create an intimate atmosphere for their fans.

Bono entered from the back of the hall, striding along a walkway and holding his fist aloft triumphantly, before joining guitarist the Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen, Jr, on stage.

"We're a band from the northside of Dublin called the U2, formerly the Hype," the sunglasses-sporting vocalist announced.

The foursome were welcomed like heroes, and the feeling was mutual.

Read more 

U2 Belfast: Bono and the gang rock SSE Arena with Innocence & Experience gig  

"You are heroes to us," Bono told the sold-out crowd.

"It's great to be here in the heart of Belfast."

Opening track The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone) harked back to the days before U2 had ventured outside Dublin.

But even then, they were tuned into the news coming from the north.

"What was happening up here made a big impact in our teenage years," Bono said.

The first few numbers were played punk-style, four guys in a row, blasting it out.

The jolting riffs of Vertigo had the whole arena bouncing, while a massive I Will Follow got everyone singing along.

And Iris (Hold Me Close) was a deeply personal tribute to Bono's late mother.

But it wouldn't be a U2 show without some grand spectacle, and the video screens were soon sparking into life.

Sunday Bloody Sunday saw a procession of murals from both loyalist and republican areas, alternating with the slogan, 'Remember the victims'.

And despite the events of the past week, the band didn't flinch from using explosive sound effects and a striking car bomb graphic to introduce Raised by Wolves.

Nor did they drop the controversial video footage they have been using during the song itself.

A roll call of notorious Northern Ireland terrorist atrocities played out on screen, from the Miami Showband Massacre to the Omagh bombing, ending with a dedication to all the victims of the Troubles, with an emphasis made on 'all'.

There was no explicit commentary about Paris during the set, though the iconic Eiffel Tower peace logo was shown alongside the message, 'Stronger than fear'.

The Syrian Civil War was also referenced in powerful images during a brooding Bullet the Blue Sky.

If things could get a bit heavy at times, the quartet also knew when to switch gears into big, roof-raising hits.

An Italian fan was hauled on stage to dance with Bono for Mysterious Ways, while With or without You closed the main set in epic fashion.

It may have been a difficult few days for U2 - for the world - but last night proved you can't keep a good band - or their audience - down.

U2 Wins Supreme Court Battle

August 2, 1997

U2 finally found what they were looking for last night.

After weeks of wrangling they were given permission to play in their home town.

A High Court ban on their two open-air Lansdowne Road concerts at the end of this month was overturned in the Supreme Court.

And singer Bono, currently wowing audiences across Europe on the band's spectacular PopMart tour - was delighted.

u2 Sues for Right to Play in Dublin

August 5, 1997

Rock music may not appeal to some people in Lansdowne Road, but the verdict came down yesterday afternoon that the two U2 concerts scheduled for the end of this month can now go ahead. The overturning of this week's High Court ban is good news for the 80,000 fans with tickets for the PopMart gigs. It's even better news for those who will be coming from around the world to hear U2 perform in their home town.

U2 Appeals High Court Decision

July 30, 1997

The Supreme Court today decides the future of outdoor events in Ireland.

Lawyers for supergroup U2 are appealing against a High Court ban on their sell -out concerts at Dublin's Lansdowne Road.

The judges' decision will decide the fate of shows by superstars like Oasis, the Rolling Stones and Spice Girls as well as the planned Three Tenors classical concert in the capital.

It also affects the Rose of Tralee, the Cork Jazz Festival and the national Ploughing Championship. Justice Declan Costello ruled Bono and co's PopMart gigs were illegal.

His decision followed objections from people who live near the sports stadium venue.

But the judge's decision that planning permission is needed to erect a stage has thrown outdoor events into jeopardy.

The Irish Rugby Football Union, which owns the ground, yesterday applied to appeal. Fans and politicians called for the U2 gigs go ahead.

And the Dublin Chamber of Commerce has also backed the concerts, saying fans' spending could be worth pounds 8million to the local economy.

Declan Martin, the chamber's economic director, said, "It would be a major boost for Dublin.

"You're talking about at least 600 part-time jobs. We're looking at about 80,000 people going to see these shows."

U2's PopMart tour, which costs pounds 1million a week, is expected to gross more than pounds 200 million.

Dublin Residents Sue to Block U2 Concert

July 31, 1997

A LAST-ditch bid by U2 to stage two concerts in Dublin continued at the Republic's Supreme Court today.

It was hearing an appeal by the Irish Rugby Football Union against a High Court ban on two U2 concerts at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, for August 30 and 31.

The High Court blocked the concerts after appeals by some residents in the area.

Yesterday, at the opening of the Supreme Court appeal, a lawyer representing the objectors said he was acting for just three people with addresses at Lansdowne Road and had never met residents associations or officers of those groups.

IRFU counsel Colm Allen said the three people did not constitute a residents association and he insisted there had been consultation between the rugby union and the Lansdowne Road residents association over the planned concerts.

He said residents were not united in their opposition to the gigs.

Mr Allen also said his clients were committed to the observance of the Code of Practice for Pop Concerts and Musical Events, published by the Irish government early last year.

The hearing resumed today and may continue into tomorrow.

More than 80,000 tickets worth IR(GBP)2m have already been sold for the concerts.

Tickets for the first concert sold out within 40 minutes of going on sale in Dublin.

Then U2 decided to have a second concert to allow their fans to see their Popmart show which has already toured the US.

Irish Court Rules u2 Concerts Illegal

Irish Court Rules u2 Concerts Illegal

July 30, 1997

THOUSANDS of anxious U2 fans were hoping today that an Irish court could give them what they're looking for - the go- ahead for the supergroup's Dublin concerts.

An appeal to stage the massive concerts is being made by the Irish Rugby Football Union in the Supreme Court.

More than 80,000 tickets worth Ir(GBP)2m have already been sold for the two concerts which had been scheduled to take place at Lansdowne Road on August 30 and 31.