U2 wow fans at homecoming gig
Friday, July 24, 2009, 21:17


IRISH TIMES REPORTERS
U2 tonight kicked off the first of their three Croke Park gigs in a homecoming that sees the band return to familiar territory with a stage that looks like it's from another planet or from Spinal Tap .

Standing 60 metres tall, the giant claw-shaped stage almost reaches up to the height of the Croke Park stands surrounding it on three sides, while the claws themselves extend across a third of the pitch.

Although the crowd were be allowed on Hill 16 behind the main stage due to health and safety concerns, fans were able to go to the pitch area at the back of the stage.

Reports that the band had decided to play a spontaneous concert in Merrion Square this afternoon ahead of this evening's concert proved to be unfounded. However, those who did turn up to the square got to see the U2 tribute band Vertigo in action.

Devotees from as far way as Brazil, Japan, Canada and the United States have travelled to watch the band, but unfortunately the forecast for the next few days will be characteristically Irish.

The band took to the stage shortly before 9pm following sets from local lad Damien Dempsey and Scottish band Glasvegas. Their first track of the evening was Breathe from their latest album, No Line on the Horizon .

Gardaí have advised motorists to avoid the Croke Park area in the lead-up to the concerts this weekend, particularly on Monday, as Ikea will be opening in Ballymun, and Dublin city's new "bus gate" at Trinity College will come into operation.

Speaking on the band's website, the Edge said the Dublin gigs were "not just another show".

"A lot of times when we do play Dublin, there is a kind of magic that occurs that just doesn't happen anywhere else. 'Metaphysical peaks' would be the only way to describe the atmosphere," he said.

Like . . . up to eleven.
irishtimes