FOND MEMORIES OF: Joshua Tree tour 1987

I thought it would be interesting to add a series of threads allowing people to document experiences at specific tours.

I've only been there via dvd...but that version of Streets...my lifeline. Oh, what I would give to have been there.

For me, the Joshua Tree 1987 tour was one of my first live concert experiences, and my very first stadium experience. I will never forget the atmosphere at Croke Park. It was bright when Lou Reed took the stage. His name was not printed on the ticket as a warm-up act, and I would later learn that the band intended to have the McCormick brothers as a warm-up act, but they didn't make it. I'm not sure if Lou Reed was a late addition or if he was intended as a surprise but it got the crowd rolling. There were media from all over the world at the event, interviewing fans as they walked the 200 metres from the bus stop to the entrance to the Hogan Stand. Swarms of fans waving WAR white flags with U2's name, wearing UF t-shirts and joshua tree scarves broke out into choruses of "how long to sing this song". The inside of Croke park was an aging hulk of steel and concrete, a testimony to the dull architecture of the mid twentieth century. The smell of tobacco, spilled beer and marijuana stained the inside of the stadium on a breezy late afternoon.

When U2 finally took the stage as darkness fell, the first chimes of where the streets have no name left me spine tingled. From there it was a special night full of magical moments. Springhill mining disaster. Hearing the 'shine like stars in the summer night' coda to with or without you for the first time. Singing along to 40 at the end.

I left the stadium with my heart pounding and hopped on a bus to wicklow, 75 other u2 fans singing along. How long to sing this song. 31 years later, I'm still singing.

For me, The Original JT concerts BLEW last years tour clean out of the water. For my taste, u2 were a far better band back then. I found many of the 30th Anniversary tour songs underwhelming

Was this the show you were at, Codeguy?

TJT was also my first ever stadium show and it was not a good advertisement for outdoor gigs: the guys pissing in cups and chucking them over the rest of the crowd, massive crush and crowd surges, dehydration.  But U2 were a more exciting live act than they were on TJT30.  They arguably put on a better arena show now, but TJT30 was by contrast slow-paced and didn't have the sense of urgency this original U2 mega-tour had.

It was one of my first stadium shows in Pontiac, Michigan.  The excitement leading up to the concert was almost unbearable.  We sat on folding chairs on the floor.  It was a huge thrill hearing my favorites--WOWY, Exit, etc.  So exciting!

Very cool, Codeguy.

The original JT tour is still one of my most epic concert memories. I was a senior in college, coming of age in many ways, and my first band was drawing well. I discovered U2 when October came out and by JT, they had grown in into a tie for my favorite band (REM being the other). A bunch of us camped outside of a department store (Van Leunen's, for anyone who any Midwestern US folks) overnight so we could get tickets as soon as they went on sale. The parking lot turned into a big party and the store security were actually cool about tolerating us. Tickets to Lexington and Indianapolis went on sale the same morning, so my girlfriend and I split up and got two for each. Lucky for me, everyone else in line bought Lexington only, so I was first in line for Indy tickets and ended up in the second row (John Cusack was several rows behind us).

Lexington was first (10-23-87), and my first time seeing U2. They opened with Streets and I was immediately overwhelmed with tears. They were every bit as brilliant as I had hoped even though Bono had a cold and was fighting with his voice. The BoDeans opened and were great, too. Indy was a week later (11-01-87). The Dalton Brothers were a blast and only those of us close to the stage seemed to recognize that they were actually U2. Los Lobos were another favorite of mine, so it was a bonus to see them. U2 were brilliant and seeing them up close was just incredible.

A goofy side story -- after seeing people throw flowers and other things on stage for Bono, I decided to bring my band's demo since we were so close. U2 would obviously listen on the bus, fall in love with us, and help make us stars. ;-) (I've since learned from IP attorney friends that things like that usually get thrown away so no one can accuse them of stealing music). I was waiting for the right moment to throw it up on stage as I obviously didn't want to hit Bono in the head and get thrown out. There was a brief moment where Bono and Edge were chatting and it looked like they were switching up the setlist. I meant to throw the tape so that it would land near Bono's feet. Instead, probably jacked up on adrenaline, I hurled it and it went sailing over Adam's head. He watched it fly over his head, looked me in the eye and smiled and sort of shrugged his shoulders like, "sorry, dude." It's funny now, but I was pretty bummed at the moment.

For me, The Original JT concerts BLEW last years tour clean out of the water. For my taste, u2 were a far better band back then. I found many of the 30th Anniversary tour songs underwhelming

They were a better band back then.  Probably something to do with them being 30 years younger.

***BUMP***

My phone just reminded me I was there exactly 6 years ago.

Wembley Stadium, June 13th for me.

Absolutely bonkers show. No mobile phones, no dynamic pricing, bono was on the cusp of becoming a massive tool, but hadn't fully tipped over to the dark side.

Great supports, too. They came on singing Stand By Me. A joyous experience and my first ever gig.

My memories of the JT tout are that… I wasn’t allowed to go. I was 13 and still a concert virgin.

I remember that my older brother hesitated for the June 15th date between U2 and Prince (he chose to go see Prince). I really regret not seeing U2 that day as the venue was only 6 000 people strong and the bootleg I heard was wild.

On July 4th U2 were back in Paris on a 80 000 people strong field. I remember that day we had sort of a family dinner but insisted on having the TV on in order to catch the 2 songs being aired live that night : Bullet the Blue Sky and Running to Stand Still.

I must have watched the video a hundred times.

LOL

I just realized I posted my memory in the wrong JT tour thread. 

 

It’s fine. Feel free to share your War memories as well. Maybe I’ll post my Zoo TV memories here next.

It’s fine. Feel free to share your War memories as well. Maybe I’ll post my Zoo TV memories here next.

Sadly, no WAR tour memories for me. 

Remind me, what was your first?