U2
Images may be subject to copyright
On this day, 29 June 2005, Irish supergroup U2 played Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on their Vertigo Tour in support of the group's 2004 album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Support was provided by Starsailor and The Killers.
The tour grossed US$260 million in 110 sold-out concerts in 2005, making it the top-grossing tour of the year.
Review - South Wales Echo
U2 are simply AWESOME!
Awesome for the soul, hard on the voice.
Awesome for the soul, hard on the voice.
That was the U2 effect Bono and the boys had on the 60,000 passionate fans at the Millennium Stadium last night, who left with croaky throats.
It was an emotional and full-blooded performance - from both the biggest band in the world and the throngs gathered to see them, many of whom matched Bono word-for-word with their singing, as the band played a mixture of their old classics and new material from their latest album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.
Backed by an enormous bank of lights with speakers and screens to each side and a stage which snaked out into the crowd at both ends, the overall effect was simple but very evocative as the band stoked their fans into a frenzy of flailing arms and picture mobiles with exuberant renditions of Vertigo, Elevation, Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Pride (In The Name Of Love) and Where The Streets Have No Name in a two-and-a-quarter-hour set.
As the music world's most vocal lobbyist, it was inevitable that Bono would get political, but his heartfelt messages were pitched just the right side of preachy.
He also had praise for Cardiff's 'beautiful, beautiful' stadium which, he said, 'should make you excited about the future'.
Bono also gave thanks to Wales for giving the world guitarist The Edge (aka Dave Evans), whose Welsh relations were out in force.
Overall, watching U2 made for an inspirational and moving experience. I just need barrels of Lockets now!
Setlist
Vertigo
I Will Follow
The Electric Co. / I Can See For Miles (snippet)
Elevation
New Year's Day
Beautiful Day / Here Comes The Sun (snippet)
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
All I Want Is You
City of Blinding Lights
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own / The Black Hills of Dakota (snippet)
Love and Peace or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet the Blue Sky / The Hands That Built America (snippet) / Please (snippet) / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)
Running To Stand Still / Happy Birthday (snippet) / Walk On (snippet)
Pride (In the Name of Love)
Where the Streets Have No Name / Dancing With Tears In My Eyes (snippet)
One / Unchained Melody (snippet)
encore(s):
Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You
All Because Of You
Yahweh Full band acoustic
Vertigo / See Me, Feel Me (snippet) / If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (snippet)
