U2 LIVE - PHOENIX PARK FESTIVAL
SUNDAY AUGUST 14th 1983
By Colm Kavanagh, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, Eire
A day to remember? It certainly was! Over 20,000 people from Ireland, Britain, the Continent and even America made their way to the Phoenix Park to celebrate the homecoming of U2.
The music started with Dublin Duo Pat 0'Donnell and Steve Belton. They were followed by the Northern Irish band Perfect Crime. Led by Gregory Grey they gave a good show before departing the stage. After an hour of reggae from Steel Pulse, the Scottish connection started when Big Country came on stage. They brought a bopping crowd to life with an excellent set including 'Fields Of Fire', 'In a Big Country', 'The Storm', and their new single 'Chance'.
After a set from Eurythmics, the next band to appear were the excellent Simple Minds who left the crowd feeling drained. On a radio Program during the week Jim Kerr paid U2 a compliment. He said he had an advantage over Bono in that he aid not have to follow him. Anyway, they gave an excellent performance, the highlights being 'New Gold Dream' and 'The American'. When then left the stage, everyone pushed forward to get nearer to it. All of us up front were being crushed, but it vas worth it!
The MC came on stage and to quote him, "Are ya happy? D'ya wanna hear the best in Irish music? Last December was the last tine Bono, The Edge, Adam and Larry played in Ireland. In six short months U2 have conquered the world." Too right!!
The band appeared on stage. The crowd roared its approval. Flags flew high in the sky. U2 kicked off with 'Out Of Control' which had the crowd going wild. 'Twilight' was next. Bono then dedicated a song to Jim Reilly whose brother was shot in Belfast the previous week. Before playing 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', Bono noticed an Irish flag in the crowd. He asked for it to be passed up to him, and he tied it to a white flag onstage. "This is not a rebel song," said Bono, giving it everything he had. 'Surrender', 'October', 'New Year's Day', 'Gloria', and many more classic tracks continued. Bono told us it was Edge's birthday (which it wasn't, it's Aug 8th) and the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to him.
The band made their exit but it wasn't long before they re-appeared. The crowd went wild yet again to the beat of 'll 0'Clock Tick Tock' which was followed by 'Trash, Trampoline and the Party Girl'. The band left the stage again, but the crowd weren't finished yet. They wanted more, and that's what we got. They played the old favourite 'I Will Follow' which had the exhausted crowd bopping endlessly. The final song of the evening, or rather, night showed how such U2 are respected and loved by their fans. "40" was the song, and long after it had finished and the band had disappeared the crowd just stood there singing "How long to sing this song?" for ages and ages. We even sang it on the way out. U2 had just proven to the people why they are the best band around.