U2 360 opening night: Barcelona June 30, 2009

We’re sat behind a computer, but fans inside the stadium are bringing the show to us semi-live through the wonder of Twitter (and Twitter related services) and mobile streaming.

The band played the same set as they did yesterday at their dress rehearsal. Things didn’t all go according to plan. There was a bit of a tuning problem during ‘One’ which made the band stop and start again.

Although Aung San Suu Kyi masks were handed out to the audience, people didn’t seem too pushed to wear them during Walk On, despite masked kids walking on the stage ramp giving the example. Lesson for the band… perhaps let the audience arrange their own flash mobs, instead of trying to control their creativity.

The large suspended circular screen can be lowered and can also conjure up nifty 3D effects. Friends at the show were in awe of the production during The Unforgettable Fire (so pleased that song is back!) and were especially impressed with the sound in the stadium. We can also reveal that the red flood of lights is back for Streets.

There were a few other surprises. When Bono took off his jacket he revealed, perhaps predictably, a Barcelona FC team shirt, which was then swapped for an LED-encrusted jacket during Ultra Violet.

Perhaps the most surreal moment of this Space Age inspired show (the last song of the intro tape was Bowie’s Space Oddity, the outro tune was Elton John’s Rocket Man) was the live link up (video) with astronauts in the International Space Station (ISS), one of the crew apparently signing up for Bono’s ONE campaign on the spot.

Setlist (audio at U2exit.com)

  1. Breathe [Video // Alternate video]
  2. No Line On The Horizon [Video // Alternate video]
  3. Get On Your Boots
  4. Magnificent [Video]
  5. Beautiful Day [Video // Alternate video]
  6. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For [Video]
  7. Angel of Harlem (with Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough and Man in the Mirror snippets) [Video // Alternate video]
  8. In a Little While
  9. Unknown Caller [Video]
  10. The Unforgettable Fire [Video // Alternate video]
  11. City of Blinding Lights [Video]
  12. Vertigo
  13. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight [Video]
  14. Sunday Bloody Sunday [Video]
  15. Pride
  16. MLK [Video]
  17. Walk On (with You’ll Never Walk Alone snippet)
  18. Where the Streets Have No Name
  19. One [Video]
  20. Ultraviolet [Video // Alternate video]
  21. With or Without You [Video]
  22. Moment of Surrender [Video // Alternate]

One (Bono telling the band what to do)

Screen funnels down during The Unforgettable Fire
Concierto U2: "Unforgetable fire" on Twitpic

Band dwarfed by screen
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Larry beats the bongo
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City of Blinding Lights
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Different perspective on The Claw
Impresionante U2 on Twitpic

Band on stage!
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The view from above:
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Big eff off screen:
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Snow Patrol kick off:
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The stadium is filling up:
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Lighting and sound technology:
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Not so great view from the ring (but those seats were not on sale):
Der hammer: sitzplätze im unteren ring sehen ab reihe 21 die... on Twitpic

46 thoughts on “U2 360 opening night: Barcelona June 30, 2009”

  9. It will be interesting to hear what seasoned U2 fans who attended the show thought of it. Photos, videos, and the setlist can’t tell the whole story. I want to hear if the show has heart and soul.

  10. It will be interesting to hear what seasoned U2 fans who attended the show thought of it. Photos, videos, and the setlist can’t tell the whole story. I want to hear if the show has heart and soul.

  11. I second that Cindy, visuals look awesome but how ’bout music, sound, interaction between band and audience and within the band.

    Guess we’ll still have to go and see/hear it for ourselves though 😉

    I hope the soul sticks through all the technology like it sure did on Popmart!

  12. I second that Cindy, visuals look awesome but how ’bout music, sound, interaction between band and audience and within the band.

    Guess we’ll still have to go and see/hear it for ourselves though 😉

    I hope the soul sticks through all the technology like it sure did on Popmart!

  13. Just got home.. McCormick’s comments on Twitter were pretty insightful (thanks u2log for giving him the pointers!).. I just can’t get over the mask thing. As a long time U2 celebrator and part-time defender, it’s the most embarassing thing they have done for me. Bono said in 88 something (along the lines of), ‘we have a smart audience, if I said simple simon said, put your hands on your head, they would say **** off’ well here’s a big FUCK OFF from a member of the U2 audience and active Aung San Suu Kyi supporter.

  14. Just got home.. McCormick’s comments on Twitter were pretty insightful (thanks u2log for giving him the pointers!).. I just can’t get over the mask thing. As a long time U2 celebrator and part-time defender, it’s the most embarassing thing they have done for me. Bono said in 88 something (along the lines of), ‘we have a smart audience, if I said simple simon said, put your hands on your head, they would say **** off’ well here’s a big FUCK OFF from a member of the U2 audience and active Aung San Suu Kyi supporter.

  15. We just got back from the Barcelona concert – man – what an amazing concert – don’t want to spoil too much, but I can’t wait to see them in October back in the states – thank you U2 for a great opening night – something my wife and I will not forget…

  16. We just got back from the Barcelona concert – man – what an amazing concert – don’t want to spoil too much, but I can’t wait to see them in October back in the states – thank you U2 for a great opening night – something my wife and I will not forget…

  17. sorry for my arsey comments – too passionate and serious about U2 sometimes.. it’s going to be great 🙂 off to bed now.

  18. sorry for my arsey comments – too passionate and serious about U2 sometimes.. it’s going to be great 🙂 off to bed now.

  19. After reading the reviews and watching some of the videos I have some mixed emotions – first and foremost: Masks? WTF? That’s gotta go. … What song is Larry playing the bongos? … Butchered One? … Would like to hear about the fluidity between songs, plus intros/outros … GLAD to hear lights are back for Streets intro. Thank you for turning the lights on, Willie. … Trying to keep in mind that this was Night 1 … I’m sure, musically speaking, this will be spectacular after a dozen shows or so – U.S. leg should be awesome.

  20. After reading the reviews and watching some of the videos I have some mixed emotions – first and foremost: Masks? WTF? That’s gotta go. … What song is Larry playing the bongos? … Butchered One? … Would like to hear about the fluidity between songs, plus intros/outros … GLAD to hear lights are back for Streets intro. Thank you for turning the lights on, Willie. … Trying to keep in mind that this was Night 1 … I’m sure, musically speaking, this will be spectacular after a dozen shows or so – U.S. leg should be awesome.

  23. It really f*cking pisses me off to see Suu Kyi masks littering the ground with empty beer cups. Did anyone take a photo of this? Sums up the mentality of most U2 fans, who just don’t give a shit about anyone or anything but their own hedonistic desires.

  24. It really f*cking pisses me off to see Suu Kyi masks littering the ground with empty beer cups. Did anyone take a photo of this? Sums up the mentality of most U2 fans, who just don’t give a shit about anyone or anything but their own hedonistic desires.

  27. I’ve been in the FOS area (check the AOH video above to get an idea where I’ve been) and I must say FOS is not the same experience I had before. It’s quite packed and the view is somehow limited many times as the band really plays all around. Sometimes you can only see Larry and no one else. Not to mention how many visuals are missed from so close. Probably I’ll do the show tomorrow from more far away. The stage is SO big that even the back of the stadium should be a good position to enjoy the concert.

  28. I’ve been in the FOS area (check the AOH video above to get an idea where I’ve been) and I must say FOS is not the same experience I had before. It’s quite packed and the view is somehow limited many times as the band really plays all around. Sometimes you can only see Larry and no one else. Not to mention how many visuals are missed from so close. Probably I’ll do the show tomorrow from more far away. The stage is SO big that even the back of the stadium should be a good position to enjoy the concert.

  29. That’s interesting, Matt, as queueing seems more and more unappealing every day. It might not be worth it, best to stay back and enjoy the pretty pictures perhaps.

  30. That’s interesting, Matt, as queueing seems more and more unappealing every day. It might not be worth it, best to stay back and enjoy the pretty pictures perhaps.

  33. Thanks for posting the video Toze – I had to laugh watching Bono on the swinging mike – it brings to mind the quote from Bono “The right to to be ridiculous is something I hold dear.”

  34. Thanks for posting the video Toze – I had to laugh watching Bono on the swinging mike – it brings to mind the quote from Bono “The right to to be ridiculous is something I hold dear.”

  35. Wow. After watching Matt’s video, I think we can all agree: Ultraviolet is NOT an audience sing-along number!

  36. Wow. After watching Matt’s video, I think we can all agree: Ultraviolet is NOT an audience sing-along number!

  37. The intro song was not Bowie’s Space Odyssey, as I’ve seen reported a few times … what is that song? It’s definitely Bono and Lanois (?) singing. Obviously it’s a leftover from No Line, or perhaps a spoiler for the next CD. If anyone can ID that song, please post! Thanks.

  38. The intro song was not Bowie’s Space Odyssey, as I’ve seen reported a few times … what is that song? It’s definitely Bono and Lanois (?) singing. Obviously it’s a leftover from No Line, or perhaps a spoiler for the next CD. If anyone can ID that song, please post! Thanks.

  39. Pingback: U2 Tour Kick Off in Barcelona | Faraway, So Close
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  41. Jay, was it not the ‘Kingdom’ song that Gav Friday referred to in his tweet “soon, kingdom”? Same song was also used on one of those ‘inside the tour’ videos that was on U2.com a few days ago.

  42. Jay, was it not the ‘Kingdom’ song that Gav Friday referred to in his tweet “soon, kingdom”? Same song was also used on one of those ‘inside the tour’ videos that was on U2.com a few days ago.

  43. Yes – that song that ended the intro loop has been used on the electric press kits … that’s the one. Definitely Lanois and Bono singing, and most likely the ‘Freedom’ song to which Friday tweeted. I like it … good ‘walk-in’ song.

  44. Yes – that song that ended the intro loop has been used on the electric press kits … that’s the one. Definitely Lanois and Bono singing, and most likely the ‘Freedom’ song to which Friday tweeted. I like it … good ‘walk-in’ song.

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