Berlin: U2 controls "Mercedes-Benz Arena" for the next few days. While the band performs from their current album and past albums. Bono will slip away for a day to address the UN in New York on some topics that are most dear to his heart. Bono has never held back is voice for those that can not speak and for a brief moment you might forget he is the leader of the worlds largest rock band. The first of four sold out shows in Berlins' Mercedes-Benz Arena starts off with a sensational spectacle only expected from the boys from Dublin. The boys have returned to their city. This is the where their boldest work was created some 24 years ago which still sounds current today. "Achtung Baby" the created works all started in a studio in Berlin. The show for the most part has been set in stone.
They revolutionized the conventional stage structure. Besides the large main day is on the "Mercedes-Benz Arena" that evening a smaller stage in the other corner of the hall, connected by a walkway. About this depends a housewife large video screen that is still accessible and the hall - is divided in the middle or as a mutant video cube suspended above all - depending on your height. During the concert, the four musicians will be split on this stage design again, so really many of the 20,000 spectators come to one or other times closer
Between takes Bono repeatedly opportunity to use the show as a political arena and to promote a solidary dealing with the refugees: "Europe is so far only an idea, but has a feeling," he says before "One" turn is.
The show on Thursday, it offers the grandiose prelude to the big Berlin U2 concert that lasts until Tuesday with a brief trip to New York to be interrupted. At the UN summit where Bono meets Merkel, Obama, Putin and the Pope.
Setlist:
- The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
- Out Of Control
- Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio? (snippet) / Vertigo
- I Will Follow
- Iris (Hold Me Close)
- Cedarwood Road
- Song For Someone
- Sunday Bloody Sunday / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)
- Raised By Wolves / Psalm 23 (snippet)
- Until The End Of The World / Love And Peace Or Else (snippet)
- (Intermission)
- Invisible
- Even Better Than The Real Thing
- Zoo Station
- Mysterious Ways / Burning Down The House (snippet)
- Elevation
- Every Breaking Wave
- October
- Bullet The Blue Sky / Ode To Joy (snippet) / 19 (snippet)
- Zooropa
- Where The Streets Have No Name / California (There Is No End To Love) (snippet)
- Pride (In The Name Of Love)
- With Or Without You
Encore(s):
- City Of Blinding Lights
- Beautiful Day / Ultra Violet (Light My Way) (snippet)
- Mother And Child Reunion (snippet) / One / Invisible (snippet)
*Snips provided by U2GIGS