Performance:
they sound really into it!!

Audience:
crowd is excellent!! they know a lot of the songs, and sing along all the time..

Sound:
it could be a lot better..

Overall:
I believe it's a must have

Performance:
This bootleg provides the perfect snapshot of the band in full flight during what is often an under-rated and overlooked tour. Half-way through the tour, the band had learned exactly how to play the new material and exactly what the live high spots were during each song. Bono was at his energetic and charismatic best and the rest of the band matched him toe to toe.

This was U2's first tour to Italy (they'd played Milan the night before) and this gig would be the first in a series of excellent gigs in this country through the ages, including Milan 1992 and Milan 2005.

You can't fault the setlist from start to finish. 11 O'Clock is a fantastically unique opener in that much unlike those on every tour after it, the band just get down to business from the very first note. There's no drawn out organs like Streets, no fanfare like Zoo Station and no grandstanding entrance like Pop Muzik/Mofo (I could go on...). And it's executed brilliantly to the point where the lads get the gig off to a hellraising start. I Will Follow is the ever reliable follow-up and it's the best I've heard from this tour, it's slightly faster paced than what it was on during the Joshua Tree which is what it really needs.

The MLK/The Unforgettable Fire starts to get played extremely well at this stage of the tour and this gig was no exception. It's the best TUF Tour performance of TUF I've heard thus far in terms of passion but it's still lacking that "in a lie" line which I find somewhat annoying.

We are soon after treated to a near-perfect rendition of Sunday Bloody Sunday (a lot of passion here too) before the band unleash one of their favourite 1980's stalwarts on the Bologna crowd. One of my favourite versions of The Electric Co. complete with outstanding prolonged snippets of Send In The Clowns and Amazing Grace and as it should be played with The Cry at the start.

The show just gets better as Bono thanks the crowd and proceeds to sing another one of my favourite renditions of one of my favourite songs - A Sort of Homecoming. You'd think a first half like that couldn't be topped but the boys are only just getting started with what is probably the first epic performance of Bad. Certainly this gig is the very first time they play the Ruby Tuesday and Sympathy for the Devil snippets in what turns out to be a 12-minute heart thumper.

One of my favourite performances of Pride then completes what is a totally amazing main set. By this stage the crowd are just going nuts and Bono pays them back with an encore chorus during Pride.

I'll wrap this section up by just saying the encore was just as outstanding as the main set. The crowd scream for more and Party Girl is played as it should be, Gloria rocks as usual and 40 is as always a powerful closer. One funny Bono-ism that can't go unnoticed is his introduction to Knockin' on Heaven's Door. "Never played it before in public". This is despite the fact that the band had played song 12 times previously dating back to 1982! Funny but not a surprising faux pas.

Audience:
Quite simply one of the best I've heard. It was U2's first time in Italy, but the audience behaved as though they'd played there 100 times already.

This boot perfectly demonstrates why Italian fans are among the best in the world. It doesn't quite measure up to the brilliant Milan 1992 but it's still a worthy five star audience. Just listen to them singing along to almost every song including all their TUF songs. Their "In the Name of Love"s during Pride, "Walk on by"s during TUF and "Let it go"s during Bad are nothing short of amazing but they participate just as passionately in Electric Co., Sunday Bloody Sunday and even Seconds.

No wonder Bono says "La prima ma non l'ultimo volta" - The first but not the last time here in your country!

Sound:
It's high quality audience recording.
Some minor distortion here and there (Seconds, Sunday Bloody Sunday and just after Pride if memory serves) but for its age it's unbelievably good.


Overall:
Has my appreciation for this bootleg come through loud and clear yet?
Seriously this is one of my all-time favourite bootlegs. An absolute must-have masterpiece. You're crazy if you don't own this right now.

Highlights
Everything!!!!!!!!!!

The Electric Co. - towards the end "Grazie! Molto, molto, grazie! "Molto, molto molto, molto, molto grazie!" You can't top that!

Performance:
A brilliant U2-show from one of their best tours, in my opinion. Bono's voice was very good during this tour and this lovely gig proves that.

Starting with 11 O'Clock, each TUF-gig couldn't go wrong (I'm sure some did..lol) but you get my message.
Other highlights were Seconds (just love that track), The Unforgettable Fire (sounding young, fresh and raw during TUF), The Electric Co with some amazing snippets, Bad (some of the best versions of Bad were played at this tour), Knocking on Heavens Door and the always brilliant 40.

Audience:
Good audience, enthusiastic Italians going for it.

Sound:
Sound is good, a true 4-star gig. All instruments are there and audible.

Overall:
Not classic, but very good for sure. Download it if you don't have it yet.

Performance:
Starting with The Fourth of July as the introduction (of most shows during the tour), you don't hear too much of the crowd. But when the band come in and 11 O'Clock Tick Tock starts and you hear that unmistakable guitar sound, you definitely hear them - and make their presence known. That energy, the flawless performances, epic versions of some songs really ropes you into this show and keeps it that way for 90 minutes. In fact, I listened to the whole show in one sitting - it is that good.

For several reasons the recording is known as The Unforgettable Night, and without question alluding to that name, living right up and over it. Where else (or when else) can you have the Italians going mad for songs like A Sort of Homecoming, Wire, The Electric Co, Bad, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Seconds, Pride, I Will Follow and of course, ''40''?

You can hear the already-mastered bass lines from Adam, the stunning drum beat in Sunday Bloody Sunday and ''Eddie Van Edge'' solos; and of course, an unforgettable 12-minute Bad with five snippets. Bono also acknowledges the crowd for the difficulties of trying to score tickets for the show and gives them, what I believe, is a true sincere gesture of thanks.

And of course, a few little speeches make the songs all that much more conceptual.

Audience:
The crowd here knocked on U2's door, and U2 gave them a response-and-a-half. Every single song they know the words to - even if English isn't their first language.

Sound:
For a recording from 1985, you would expect some problems with the tape transfer or even some sort of digital artifacts. Nothing of the sort here, you have a great audience recording all instruments and vocals coming through from both sides.

Overall:
Brilliant audience, flawless performances, awesome recording, great show...need I say more?


''La prima ma non l'ultimo volta''

Performance:
On fire. Very impressed. I don't have many UF boots and this one has perked my interest. Some outstanding performances of some classic songs and others that you don't hear any more.

Audience:
Very into this first ever (Really?? Wow - I had no idea about that!!) Italian crowd. Singing along to everything.
Not intrusive in the mix either

Sound:
For the age of bootleg this is very good indeed. It's not top-class, but a very good audience. Really it's a 3.5 I think if we're sticking to our rating rules (I never give an audience more then 4), but this will get a 4 due to the age and the overall impact. Plus that the audience doesn't intrude.

Overall:
If, like me, you are limited in your UF boots then get this one. It's a corker. If you love UF boots then you'll likely have it anyway, but do give it a listen. It's a keeper.

Performance:
A strong performance, a very strong performance. It U2's first performance in italy and they sound ready for. I'm not a great fan of this era, the album or live shows, but this one had an almost lovetown feel to it, and performances such as Electric Co, and Seconds really set the show alight

Audience:
Despite this being U2's first visit to the Azzuri, the Audience sure know the band, a strong performance also by the crowd

Sound:
Good solid, enjoyable sound, fades in some places but takes nothing away from the recording

Overall:
A great show, far from my favourite but I've never been a great fan of this era, but a must if your a TUF fan

Highlights:

Seconds
Electric Co

Performance:
The band were on fire from January to April of 1985, and this boot is a perfect proof. Epic versions of almost every song (Electric Co, Bad, Sunday Bloody Sunday, 40), flawless guitars, bass and drums and an awesome Bono made out of that night one of the best bootlegs I've heard. The audience were waiting for U2, and U2 thanked them with an awesome concert.

Audience:
Awesome. Simple as that. As happened when U2 first played in Spain, here in Madrid in 1987, that audience had been wating for a U2 concert for years, and when it eventually took place, they celebrated it together with the band. The audience (apart from the obvious reason, this is a TUF bootleg and we hadn't reviewed none!) was the main reason for me for choosing this boot ..

Sound:
Fantastic excellent audience, it sounds like a 1993 Ex Aud, but being 8 years older!!! No clicks, no digital noise, no cuts, no annoying fades. Just a fantastic recording.

Overall:
Fantastic, awesome, GREAT.
One of the best bootlegs I ever heard, a must-have. This is, as it's fan-name points, "The Unforgettable Night" !!!!

Performance:
Outstanding show. The performances are clear and polished, like the boys have been playing all the songs, including the UF ones, since they started as a band, but at the same time the show keeps a raw energy that shows they genuinely seem to love being there. Adam is all over this show—I Will Follow, The Unforgettable Fire, October, Party Girl, and Gloria all feature him prominently, completely rocking out. And for a crowd that had never seen U2 live before, they were on fire as much as the band was (see MLK, Sunday Bloody Sunday and Gloria).

11 O’Clock Tick Tock gets us going with a clean, crystal clear tone packed with raw energy. I Will Follow has a little extra depth and echo in the bass that makes it sound much fuller than other performances. Seconds is solid, and the ambience of MLK is bookended nicely with the audience’s enthusiastic reactions at the beginning and end. The Unforgettable Fire—now this is how it should be played. All Edge here, painting a huge sonic, elevating landscape. A pulsing performance of Wire and its segue into Sunday Bloody Sunday bring us back down into the concert’s energy, and both meet in an outstanding performance of The Electric Co. with an Amazing Grace snippet that was perfectly timed and executed by Bono. I got goosebumps.

Any performance of A Sort of Homecoming is always welcome, but especially when it’s as clear, clean and (mostly) lyrically correct and full as this one. A 12-minute, thumping Bad followed that didn’t drag on or end too abruptly, but was perfectly timed. A full, bass- and piano-driven October made its usual segue into New Year’s Day, which had the entire concert’s single bum note from Edge on piano. Then we get Pride—this may sound odd, but what a treat to hear it. If you’ve lost interest in hearing it live from too many Vertigo shows, go back and listen to this version to restore your belief in it. Pure and its prime.

Party Girl was outstanding, first for not forgetting the words or fucking up the notes, and second for the small, last part, a few notes back and forth between Adam and Edge that I wish they’d do at every performance of it. The transition into Gloria is flawless, and Adam regains his fire, as does the crowd. Knocking on Heaven’s Door might be the only wild card in the show, a bit rocky with an ending that just sort of trails off, but not horrible by any means. Finally, I usually find 40 to be a bore to end shows, but Bono includes a small snippet or some kind of extra verse at the end that is just beautiful.

Overall, a very clear and clean sound, a polished band that knew (or seemed to know) what they were doing, and somehow, a huge, raw, thick energy from both the band and the crowd that shows in the entire concert’s performance. Outstanding show.

Audience:
Excellent. Not interfering, not too quiet. They’re energetic, they know the words, and they respond to all the energy that Bono throws right back at them—“You—you hold me up!”

Sound:
Good to my ears. The band can be heard clearly, the audience isn’t up front all the time, and there’s no random fade-outs or beeps.

Overall:
Highlights:

All songs were nearly flawless, so I’ll point out a few key tracks that I loved that don’t usually get a lot of recognition:

MLK
October
Party Girl and its transition into Gloria
The end of 40


One of, if not the, Unforgettable Fire boots, Dortmund included, and one of the best of all the tours. If you’re not a fan of the UF tour, this will change your mind in a heartbeat. A must-have.

Performance:
I dunt really listen to the pre- JT tours much but i was very suprised by how good this was, all the songs r played to an extremely high standard and the band is on fire.

Audience:
can be heard singing along with band in sum parts, adds nicely to the songs, they never seem to overpower the band which can ruin sum boots.

Sound:
Very clear recording, great audio for something from 1985.

Overall:
great concert from start to finish, definelty one that u should have in ur collection if u dunt already have it, each song would be in the top 10 individual performances of that song in u2s entire career.

Performance:
'4th of July' was interesting...really interesting to hear live. I have new respect for '11 O'Clock Tick Tock', and I thought the version was spot on. "I Will Follow' was great and fast, the pace it should be tried to be played. 'Seconds' is one of those songs I loved hearing off the album, and I never heard it live until now. The band was on fire! Every second too (HAHA). 'MLK' and 'The Unforgettable Fire' had their moments, but never really took off for me. That's just me though. 'Wire' was a beast, Bono sounding like a wild bird on the hunt for prey. This led into an estatic 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', which was astounding. 'The Electric Co.' here is 8 minutes long, but don't back away! Every moment is sheer brilliance! It starts with 'The Cry', an epic version of the song, and includes a bit from 'Amazing Grace' which I loved. 'A Sort of Homecoming' is one of those songs you hold deep to your heart and really treasure it. U2 kicked serious arse this time around. 'Bad' is another piece of epic artistry. 'October' was good, which led into the rocket known as 'New Year's Day'. 'Pride' seemed to be played at a faster pace, which I loved. 'Party Girl' was a fun little ditty to hear. 'Gloria' was cool to hear, but the coolest to hear was 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door'. It seemed the band enjoyed themselves, especially Bono. '40' closed an amazing show, one where U2 proved they weren't just a band from Dublin City, but one of the elite.

Audience:
First time in Italy, and it wouldn't be the last. Really excited crowd, and a lot of people knew the words to many of the songs, and really added to the show.

Sound:
Clear and amazing. It's one of those audience recordings that goes to prove there are things better than SBDs and IEMs.

Overall:
I loved this show, and it's staying on my iPod. My first TUF boot, and one that I'm gonna keep close for a long time. 'Seconds', 'Wire', 'The Electric Co.', 'Bad', 'Pride', and 'Knockin' were highlights. No bad points in the show at all, which makes it so 'unforgettable'. A must have for a Pre-JT U2 fan!

Performance:
Great unforgettable night In Bologna.

Audience:
High energy and partecipation.

Sound:
Excellent, the sound is good.

Overall:
Good concert, beautiful show.
Highlights: New year's Day and Wire.
Nothing changes on New Year's Day.

Performance:
WOW, this show was bad-ass brilliant! Can't complain at all about this performance. In my opinion, doesn't beat Edinburgh but really close to it, certainly!

Audience:
These Italian audiences are excellent! No doubt about it.

Sound:
Excellent sound! Maybe a little better but still, great.

Overall:
Excellent bootleg, nuff said.

Highlights
________
- Seconds
- Wire
- Sunday Bloody Sunday
- Party Girl

Performance:
This show is just simply splendid.Brilliant.Exceptional.Glorious.This show catches the band when they seemed stunned by their popularity.It was as if they couldnt understand why we all went so wild for them.Bad at this gig is excellent.ASOH shines as well.Bono telling the Italian fans how they feel home there,even though its their first show in Italy.This is just a wonderful glimpse back in time.This is a distinctive show in the U2 cannons.Grab it.

Audience:
Fantastic as always.From this point on,U2 developed such a great connection with the Italian audience.Last years show at Milan(07.07.09) had (IMO) the best audience on the tour,no shock at all to me.

Sound:
I have to give this a 4.5,its over 25 years old,and sounds very,very good.And Im a picky bitch with bootlegs.Adams bass sounds great.No loud yellers over the band.This is a great listen.Bono is nice and clear,as is Edge and Larry.IMO this is THE show from this leg.I saw the band for the first time 2 months later (04.01.85 MSG).This is the U2 I fell in love with.The passion,the poweful emotions,and determination by the band.They wanted to win over the Italian audience,they did.Bigtime.This is MUST listen.

Overall:
This is when U2 just simply exploded all over the word.The could not play theatres anymore,almost to the shock of the band.They made the leap to Arenas.They had to.They were so big,they would have had to play Radio City Music Hall, in NYC, for 2 weeks straight to satisfy the demand.This show is great.Bad is here in all its glory.UF,Wire,ASOH,Pride.Bono, was just wild at this show with emotion.The Electric Co. is top here..I havent listened to this gig in some time.When I saw a show from UF tour picked as bootleg of the month,I was like,what about Bologna????? Grab this now,you will love it.

Performance:
This part is only rated, not commented on.

Audience:
This part is only rated, not commented on.

Sound:
This part is only rated, not commented on.

Overall:
Very good show.The sound is good and the crowd was amazing. Highlights: Wire, Electric co, A sort of homeoming, Bad and Knocking on heavens door ( 1st time on this tour)