1. Hi there!

    I'm not really "new" here, I think I've been a member for years now, but it's only since the last weeks/months that I also take part in discussions, in the past I was only a "reader". But let me present myself and tell me my story of how I became a fan of those four boys from the Northside of Dublin.

    I am from Belgium (region Limburg) so I'm not a native English speaker, so excuse me for my grammatical errors.

    I'm 28 years old so I was born in the year of "The Joshua Tree". Althoug I wasn't an active U2-Fan of course in my early years, U2 was always there in my life, even when I was a little boy. My dad is a die hard fan since the early days in the 80's and he was always listening albums and watching live-video's, so I really grew up with the music of U2. Strange to say, but a song like "Until The End Of The World" really sounds like a childhood anthem for me!

    My first concert was in 1997 in Werchter during the Popmart Tour. Normally my dad would have attended with a friend, but his friend had to cancel lastminute so he took me to the concert.
    It was really impressive for me as a 10yr old boy: the crowd, the performance, the amazing big stage and screen,...

    When I became a teenager, I started listening to U2 myself more and more. We couldn't get to the Elevation Tour in 2001, so my second gig was during the Vertigo Tour in Brussels. Before that gig I loved U2's music, but since that Vertigo-concert I became definitely a passionate fan and my fandom becames only stronger and stronger since Vertigo 2005.

    One of the highlights in my (still young) "carreer" as U2 fan was the opening night in Barcelona of the 360 Tour. A month before, a Belgian radion station announced that they would organise a U2 Contest to win a trip to the Barcelona-concert. As soon as I hearded that announcement, a little voice inside me said "OMGF, this should be MINE!!!!". Three days in a row, they played a U2 song on the radio in which they "beeped" away a word, and the first person who send a text message with this missing word, earned a place in the "final" on Friday Two days no luck for me, but on the third and last day I was the lucky one who qualified for the final the next day! During this final they asked seven questions and the candidat who had the correct answer to the seventh and last question, was the one who would win the trip. Because I was the last one who had qualified for the final, the other two persons had a first turn so I had to hope they failed during their questions. And yes, after four questions it was my turn and I was lucky enough to give good answers to all my questions so the trip to Barcelona was mine! We all went crazy in our house, sometimes I'm relistening to the recording of that contest, and it's funny to hear our excitement.

    Of course, I chose my dad to join me on this trip and we had a wonderful time! A two day-stay in a wonderful city, attending the world premiere of the biggest music tour ever by the biggest rock band ever, and this all for free. It really was an unforgettable experience! After that gig, I also attended to the Amsterdam and Gelsenkirchen shows in 2009, which were also amazing.
    In 2010 we also did both Brussels shows. First day GA, second day seats. Before the second gig we were (together with hundreds of other fans) at U2's hotel when they were leaving to the venue. Didn't had a chance to really meet them, but when I was close to them I was yelling "Please boys, play "BAD" tonight for me!!!!", although I knew they wouldn't play a song only because it was a request by a fan. But then during the concert suddenly, they DID play "Bad"!! Of course, I'm not that naive to believe they really played it because I requested it, , but still it gaves me goosebumps to hear my favorite U2 song during an already magical evening.

    This year I only have been to both Antwerp gigs, because nowadays I live together with my girlfriend so I can not spend all my money and time to U2-gigs anymore But, within two weeks, I will be at the Dublin2-show together with my dad. I've seen the Slane-castle DVD many many times and it was always my dream to be at a "hometown"-concert, so finally this dream will come true! So I really looking forward to visit their hometown, have a look at the U2-spots, and of course enjoying a amazing show!

    One of my still remaining dreams is to meet the guys and have a chat with them and maybe (I say MAYBE) there is a very little chance this dream will come true. Because I work at a hotel, I can book rooms all over the world at a very cheap rate at every hotel of our hotel chain (even the most expensive 5*-hotels in our chain), so I of course also did for Dublin as soon the gigs were announced. After I booked our room, I found out the hotel we will stay at, is a hotel often used by famous stars when they are in Dublin. Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, the German Football team,... are a few names who have stayed in the hotel the last months/years. So maybe there is a little chance that U2 will also stay there so it would be amazing to meet them and have a short chat with them (and to become drunk' together with them! ) But to be clear, this dream is not the reason I've booked my hotel, I just found out afterwards.

    The last dream I have is to become a dad myself, and to go to a U2 concert together with my child(ren) and my dad. Being at a U2 concert with the man who gave me his passion to U2, while giving my passion for U2 to my children... Three generations U2-fans together, how beautiful would that be?
  2. what a nice reading
    Great story about the contest!
    I think meeting the guys is not that difficult in Europe as it is in Brazil. Good luck!

    Welcome!
  3. Awesome story about the opening Barcelona 360 concert! Great stuff!

    Welcome to U2start!
  4. Hi Welcome!
  5. Oh god, you were the winner
    I've heard the contest on the radio back then... Congrats!

    And, I hate to burst your bubble but, I guess they'll probably just stay at their houses in Dublin, right...?
    Even if they'll stay at a hotel, It'll probably be The Clarence, as they own the place...
  6. Originally posted by BelgianBono:Oh god, you were the winner
    I've heard the contest on the radio back then... Congrats!

    And, I hate to burst your bubble but, I guess they'll probably just stay at their houses in Dublin, right...?
    Even if they'll stay at a hotel, It'll probably be The Clarence, as they own the place...
    Is The Clarence still owned by them, thought I've heard some rumours things have changed? But even if they still manage it, The Clarence will be too full with U2-fans to guarantee them a restful stay, so I doubt they will stay there. But indeed, their own houses are also a very good (and logical) option!
  7. I think they don't own The Clarence anymore...
  8. Hi Lobmans !

    Nice read and great story about that Barcelona concert !

    Sure that will be a nice dream about going to a U2 show with your dad and son !

    In your profiler says that you like soccer , which team do you support ?
  9. Originally posted by patou2:Hi Lobmans !

    Nice read and great story about that Barcelona concert !

    Sure that will be a nice dream about going to a U2 show with your dad and son !

    In your profiler says that you like soccer , which team do you support ?
    I'm a fan of KRC Genk.
  10. Oh god, Genk...