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Published: July 31st 2005
Since the beginning of our relationship Andrew and I always seem to have been saving for something - whether that be a trip to Hawaii for the Ironman, our big six-month trip around the world, our wedding, a house and then our big move abroad. Things like going to concerts always seemed to be a luxury that we couldn't fit into our budget, so acquiring two tickets to see U2 at Twickenham Stadium was a real treat - especially after the initial disappointment of missing out on tickets when they first went on sale.
I cannot claim to have been the biggest fan over the years but I have really enjoyed their last few albums. Andrew on the other hand can proudly claim title as a die-hard fan, including the bragging rights of seeing them perform at the tiny and now non-existent Apollo Stadium in Adelaide in 1983 with only 3,000 others. We had tried to buy tickets before we left Australia but they sold out both their London concerts in less than five minutes. We couldn't believe our luck when our friend Val told us they had released a few more tickets one morning and we were able to secure some later that night (thanks Val!).
Neither of us had been to a concert in at least six years and the biggest crowds we'd been in had been around 10,000 people, making our trip to Twickenham with 75,000 others something quite amazing. I was a little disppointed when we reached our seats - they were at the very back row on the side of the stage but I knew we were lucky to be there at all. But as the sun faded on a beautiful summer's night into a gorgeous dusk we realised how good the seats were. Not only did we have a great view of the band, but if we looked above the stage we could see out over Twickenham Stadium to the beautiful palaces at Richmond Park which were perched serenely on the hill glowing a beautiful pink and emitting an aura of peace and tranquility as the bright lights and action came to life on stage. That's not a view you get to see at every concert! U2 themselves certainly didn't disappoint either. Bono is an amazing performer and the light and multimedia show which flashed across the enormous screen behind the band only added to the the show.
Like I said, I cannot claim to be a U2 expect by any stretch of the imagination, so I will hand you over to someone who definitely can!
As we approached Twickenham I felt like a 10 year kid the night before Christmas. U2 live at Twickenham. It was 22 years ago since I last saw them and I never thought I'd see them at a venue like Twickenham, but here we were.
For those of you not familiar with U2 pleae excuse me while I indulge those of you who are.
To a huge roar from the massive crowd they came on stage and set the crowd alight as they launched into "Vertigo". From that moment on Bono had the crowd in the palm of his hand. They followed this with "The Electric Co" (an oldie but a goodie) and the hits didn't stop all night. "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "New Years Day", "Where the streets have no name", "Wild Horses", "Bullet the blue sky", "Beautiful Day", "Elevation" and a heap from the new album including "Miracle Drug" and "Sometimes you can make it on your own".
Great bands can make the audience feel as though they are part of the concert and when 75,000 people sang "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" long after Bono had finished singing it brought goosebumps to my skin. This was followed shortly after by a mass sing along to "Pride: In the name of love". The crowd was loving every second of it.
After 2 non stop hours that seemed to last about 15 minutes they went off stage for a short break whilst the crowd roared almost deafeningly for an encore. This they duly responded to with "Zoo Station"and "The Fly". If it wasn't one of the best concerts I had ever been to up to this stage when they played the opening bars to "With or without you" it certainly was then. To finish an amazing show they played an encore of "Vertigo".
To say it was a great concert was an understatement.
We left almost speechless and not even the 2 hour trip home could wipe the smile off our faces. If you get a chance to see them when and if they tour Australia - dont miss it.
Sometimes a concert has the power to elevate you to such a high that you wish you could take that feeling, bottle it up and release it again when you are having a bad day. This was one of those concerts that just thinking about it puts a smile on my face.
Okay back to me: So there you have it - even I learnt something reading that ... and I was at the concert!
Leaving Twickehnam was a mammoth task and reminded us a lot of waiting in the queues to get home from Olympic Park after an event at the Sydney Olympics. However it was all very well organised with free buses coming one after the other to shuttle people to the nearest train stations. In the end we arrived home about 1am - just in time for me to catch a few hours rest before I started my first day on the job in the morning! But what a night, it is certainly one we will never forget and count ourselves as very lucky to have been there.
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Liz Westwood
non-member comment
U2
I too was at Apollo - scary Andy, you might have been near a mental U2 fan. Also took my boys when about 12 and 10 to see them at Aami Stadium. They are the best band out!!!