Head on over to U2exit.com to check out their featured concert, Dortmund, November 21, 1984. It was recorded for ‘RockPop in Concert’. U2 were asked to perform all their ‘hits’ (of which they had, at the time, none) in the first 30 minutes of the set to cater to the TV audience. The band deliver 45 minutes of ecstasy.
From U2 live: “U2 play a blistering 13-song set for German TV. During Electric Co Bono runs up the slope of the cycling track left of the stage and sings a bit of Amazing Grace. He becomes irritable during Pride when the cameraman pushes his camera almost into Bono’s face. Bono points at the audience and tactfully turns the camera in their direction. The show, less three songs, is aired on January 12, 1985.”
Though already familiar with some of the band’s material, it was this broadcast that turned your editor, mesmerised by the band’s performance, firmly on to U2.
I bought The Unforgettable Fire that same week.
Watching this brings it all back: the excitement at having discovered something ‘nobody else knew about’ — a band whose songs were barely played on the radio, who were radically misunderstood (“U2? Aren’t they those pro-IRA Christians?”), the beguiling mystery, the urgency of it all.
It was the blend of punk and pop — the beat of the drum and the pulse of the bass against the melodies, the keening voice on top that lured me. Plus, they looked cool. I ditched my Paul Simon albums, and discovered a world elsewhere.
ha. guess I posted my response about this amazing concert in the wrong topic 🙂 I jumped the gun. I’m not lucky enough to have been able to discover U2 when they were unknown, having been 4 years old at the time of this concert. But when I did finally get around to them, it was just post-Popmart, and it FELT like a giant, wonderful secret that none of my friends were in on. Of course now I know better. 🙂 But that’s the trick about U2, and I can’t remember who said this (might be in Flanagan’s bible), but there’s always that slightly surprised feeling when you show up at a concert and there are thousands of other people there! What are all these people doing here? you wonder, because surely U2 is yours alone. That’s a trick they’ve mastered, but not manipulated; just lain open a heart that it feels like only you can see. sigh. I can’t wait til the new album…
ha. guess I posted my response about this amazing concert in the wrong topic 🙂 I jumped the gun. I’m not lucky enough to have been able to discover U2 when they were unknown, having been 4 years old at the time of this concert. But when I did finally get around to them, it was just post-Popmart, and it FELT like a giant, wonderful secret that none of my friends were in on. Of course now I know better. 🙂 But that’s the trick about U2, and I can’t remember who said this (might be in Flanagan’s bible), but there’s always that slightly surprised feeling when you show up at a concert and there are thousands of other people there! What are all these people doing here? you wonder, because surely U2 is yours alone. That’s a trick they’ve mastered, but not manipulated; just lain open a heart that it feels like only you can see. sigh. I can’t wait til the new album…
Out of all the comments by anyone on these logs…yours right there might have made the most sense Lucy…Great thought.
Cheers!~
Out of all the comments by anyone on these logs…yours right there might have made the most sense Lucy…Great thought.
Cheers!~
thanks, but I stole at least the first half from Flanagan or someone else equally eloquent. 🙂
thanks, but I stole at least the first half from Flanagan or someone else equally eloquent. 🙂
I swear I saw Adam singing on that! 😉
I swear I saw Adam singing on that! 😉
I was only ten years old when I saw that concert. My brother’s friend owned it and they used to drink and watch it every weekend. I got hooked on it and it made me huge fan. None of my friend’s liked it but I used to watched it many times a day. I bought the video two years ago from some U2 fan site. It gave me thrills and I remembered what it was that drow me to U2 the first time.. the energy, honesty and pure rock and roll.
I was only ten years old when I saw that concert. My brother’s friend owned it and they used to drink and watch it every weekend. I got hooked on it and it made me huge fan. None of my friend’s liked it but I used to watched it many times a day. I bought the video two years ago from some U2 fan site. It gave me thrills and I remembered what it was that drow me to U2 the first time.. the energy, honesty and pure rock and roll.
took me right back to discovering the band in 1984. No wonder bono’s voice has sufferered over the years if he was doing that nightly..top stuff thanks
took me right back to discovering the band in 1984. No wonder bono’s voice has sufferered over the years if he was doing that nightly..top stuff thanks
I thought New Year’s Day made top 10 in the UK. Anyhow I love this concert. Course I like anything U2 so it’s not a surprise I liked this one.
I thought New Year’s Day made top 10 in the UK. Anyhow I love this concert. Course I like anything U2 so it’s not a surprise I liked this one.
I spent the day yesterday searching the cable listings for all the programs featuring U2 or Bono. I found one in the mornign and afternoon and the the R&RHOF induction ceremonies (taped) then at 2 am this morning, Ireland Rocks with Bono and Edge narrating and others talking about the history the early Irish music scene. Great U2 footage of Live Aid and Joshua Tree and Pop, and snipets through out. A lot of Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, Sinead, The CLash,etc.
Good day all the way around. Hey, I’ll take what ever I can get till they release the new album/tour.
I spent the day yesterday searching the cable listings for all the programs featuring U2 or Bono. I found one in the mornign and afternoon and the the R&RHOF induction ceremonies (taped) then at 2 am this morning, Ireland Rocks with Bono and Edge narrating and others talking about the history the early Irish music scene. Great U2 footage of Live Aid and Joshua Tree and Pop, and snipets through out. A lot of Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, Sinead, The CLash,etc.
Good day all the way around. Hey, I’ll take what ever I can get till they release the new album/tour.
I spent the day yesterday searching the cable listings for all the programs featuring U2 or Bono. I found one in the mornign (22 Greaest voices, Bono was # 4) and afternoon and the the R&RHOF induction ceremonies from last weekend. In the meantime I watched the concert from Germany. Then at 2 am this morning, watched Ireland Rocks with Bono and Edge narrating and others talking about the history of the early Irish music scene. Great U2 footage of Live Aid and Joshua Tree and Pop, and snipets through out. A lot of Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, Sinead, The CLash,etc. Great early footage and a good day all the way around. They kept showing Edge and Bono talking and it just emphasized, what is already known, they know their history and music. I’ll take what ever I can get till they release the new album/tour.
I spent the day yesterday searching the cable listings for all the programs featuring U2 or Bono. I found one in the mornign (22 Greaest voices, Bono was # 4) and afternoon and the the R&RHOF induction ceremonies from last weekend. In the meantime I watched the concert from Germany. Then at 2 am this morning, watched Ireland Rocks with Bono and Edge narrating and others talking about the history of the early Irish music scene. Great U2 footage of Live Aid and Joshua Tree and Pop, and snipets through out. A lot of Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, Sinead, The CLash,etc. Great early footage and a good day all the way around. They kept showing Edge and Bono talking and it just emphasized, what is already known, they know their history and music. I’ll take what ever I can get till they release the new album/tour.
What a flashback. Watching old shows like this is almost like watching a completely different band (than say, Elevation). Same music, lots more youthful energy. (Happens to the best of us, I guess.) Not that current U2 isn’t exciting, just in a more focused, intense way. Boy, I wish they’d resurrect Electric Co. Wow.
What a flashback. Watching old shows like this is almost like watching a completely different band (than say, Elevation). Same music, lots more youthful energy. (Happens to the best of us, I guess.) Not that current U2 isn’t exciting, just in a more focused, intense way. Boy, I wish they’d resurrect Electric Co. Wow.