#U2ieTour Europe: 12 cities, stories & photos
U2 played 12 different cities during the second leg of the Innocence and Experience tour. For this slideshow we've asked 12 fans who were there to pick a photo of the residency and share a personal story. From Turin to Paris.
Turin
From Turin to Turin: after 5 years, U2 once again starts a European tour leg in this beautiful city and, as in 2010, they throw in a few surprises. In this photo Bono is about to embark on one of the best and emotional parts of the show: the Zooropa/Streets transition, an amazing way to represent the theme of the European refugee crisis. What can we say? Heartbreaking. Davide
Amsterdam
Photo was taken at the first of the four Amsterdam nights. I had been looking forward to this show ever since the tickets went on sale. Just to hear that I Will Follow riff once more was already worth the wait. But with Adam wearing the OCT. 15, 1980 shirt and Two Hearts Beat As One on the e-stage, it was just a dream come true. Joyce
Stockholm
I chose this photo of all the Stockholm photos for two main reasons: it’s from the second show, my favourite of the four, and I am pretty sure I can see the back of my own head in it. I think it is me on the near side close to the rail, the head that appears just right of the rightmost security guard (who’s on the other side). The show was my favourite because it had the most energetic crowd, but also because I had the company of two cousins of mine who live in Stockholm. They are not huge U2 fans, but fans of good music. They were really blown away by the show, and so was I. We took a group selfie after the show and the three of us are really beaming with joy in it. I think it definitely brought us closer as people. Olof
Berlin
The shows in Berlin were the first ones I saw from a distance, which is also one of the reasons I chose this particular photo. I loved this moment at every show, the "I AM HERE" moment where all the lights go on. In Berlin I saw it for the first time from a distance and it made me fully absorb the impact it had. I remembered that I with every other performance of Invisible did a sort-of countdown to that moment, the eruption of the song, the explosion of excitement. In Berlin it was amazing, a great venue, friendly people and some amazing shows and surprises (Zoo Station!). Remy
Barcelona
An unforgettable weekend. I went to the shows on 9 & 10 October, and for me this was an incredible weekend. Two amazing shows where I got to see the guys from as close as the first few rows while meeting lots of great fans and new friends from the forums during the day. We got some great surprises during the shows such as Spanish Eyes, and on the final day I also got to meet Bono & Adam. I needed a week to recover from this weekend. I chose this photo because I think it represents my feelings very well, my favourite band enjoying themselves on stage in Barcelona. I'm counting down to the next time! Felix
Antwerp
Two nights in a row at Sportpaleis, Antwerp. First show I was at the rail on the E-stage. The next day I stood in the back of the GA in order to be able to see the screen in it's full glory. Even though there were two complete standard setlists I loved every single moment of them. This picture is taken by me at night one. For me this picture represents the intimacy you had this tour with the band. The setup made them come so close and especially at the E-stage the closeness was just insane. Moreover in this picture you do not just see two rockstars playing a show. You see best mates having a good time. I was with two of my best U2 friends at these shows so for me this is the best image to look back at two amazing Belgium nights! Coen
Cologne
The first night in Cologne had its moments, but nothing compares to night two when there was a special ambience in the air before the show kicked off. And it was proved right when we got the first ever longest show played in terms of song in U2's live career. 'Out of Control' was fiesty, 'Until the End of the World' was rocking, the e-stage songs (especially 'Party Girl' and 'Angel of Harlem') were enormously satisfying, and the 'Bad/40' combination topped it off with the icing on the cake. Perhaps one of the most magical weekends of live music ever witnessed. There's a reason for this photo that can't fully be put into words, but it defines the celebration of the night. When the fan (bonojour) got the guitar, it was deserved – and it really got the crowd going. It also reminds me of the epic, and most attended, post-show chat when U2 fans from several communities gathered round to sing U2 songs, with the backing of bonojour's new guitar. Kieran
London
This was my home for six nights. Making the most of my own residency, I witnessed the show from all angles. From the centre of the catwalk and the main stage, to the seats high up and down by the e-stage. This photo shows all of those spots and on this night, I was at the tip of the e-stage with fellow U2starter Ali709. London was everything I could have hoped for. The band were in great form, we had two very special guests, I managed to hear a new song (to me) almost every night and I got to meet many, many great people over the course of the week. An unforgettable six nights at The O2. Tim
Glasgow
A frequently undervalued and even ignored song by the fans: With or Without You saw one of its greatest outings of the tour, and even of the last few tours. With humble beginnings, the indescribable atmosphere of the night started to come through in this song. “Shhhh” Bono told us before shifting into a hushed rendition of Joy Division’s now extremely rare “Love Will Tear us Apart” snippet. Right or wrong, I always sing at the shows, and I can’t help but sing the much loved “Shine Like Stars” snippet during With or Without You. On a given night, I’ll make it through about three syllables before being swamped by the crowd’s wailing. This night though, Bono joined me, and all the fans around me picked up on the lyrics and ran with it. Nothing could have put a bigger smile on my face. A truly incredible moment; one of many on this profoundly memorable night. Right up there with the best of the leg. Ross
Belfast
So much I can say but this photo goes a lot of the way to summing up my thoughts. It captures that euphoric flash during Streets but it shows the venue as well, a venue I have been in many times before for other bands and thought 'imagine U2 in here ha ha'. To see U2 in your home town is ridiculous but after 18 years (and being accustomed to travelling to see the band).....it still hasn't sunk in yet. A great few days and nights spent with friends and fans sharing the best of my city. The clock has started as we wait for the band to visit again. Gerard
Dublin
Dublin was for me the most amazing experience of my life. The altered stage and choreography made it a special show. The band was on fire. I had a few memorable moments, from shouting Adam’s name and seeing him turn around, smile, wave and thank us to watching Bono come right to our spot and pick my friend Jenna up for Mysterious Ways (the moment in this picture, I’m by the rail, filming!), to the band making a mistake in With or Without You which led into Shine Like Stars, to Bad with Andy Rowen present which made it all the more emotional and had me in tears. I was struggling to believe I’m finally witnessing all of this magic live in front of me. This was a memory for life. Ali
Paris
This photo was taken at the last show in Paris, final show of the European Leg. During these last months, U2 have been inviting various artists to their stage. We had Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Noel Gallagher, Patti Smith and so on, but none of those moments was as emotional and as symbolic as the one in this photo. U2 graciously gave their stage to Eagles Of Death Metal on their return to Paris, after the tragic night of November, 13 2015. It’s just one of those moments no one will ever forget, being there or not. Marta