U2 is one of the most successful and beloved rock bands of all time. For over four decades, the Irish group has captivated audiences around the world with their anthemic songs and ambitious live shows. One of the many places U2 has toured over the years is Brisbane, Australia. Brisbane has hosted U2 concerts on multiple occasions since the 1980s.
U2’s Concert History in Brisbane
U2 first performed in Brisbane in March 1985 during their Unforgettable Fire Tour. The concert took place at the Entertainment Centre, with INXS serving as the opening act. U2 returned to Brisbane two years later in November 1987 near the end of their Joshua Tree Tour. This show was also held at the Entertainment Centre.
After a five year absence, U2 came back to Brisbane in December 1992 for two shows at the Entertainment Centre. This was part of their monumental Zoo TV Tour in support of their 1991 album Achtung Baby. Following another extended break, Brisbane hosted U2 again in December 1997 during the PopMart Tour. By this time, they had graduated to playing the much larger Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
In November 2001, U2 brought their Elevation Tour to Brisbane for a single date at the Entertainment Centre. This tour promoted their Grammy-winning 2000 record All That You Can’t Leave Behind and its hit singles “Beautiful Day,” “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” and “Elevation.” After skipping Brisbane for both the Vertigo Tour and U2 360° Tour, U2 finally returned for two sold out shows in November 2010 at Suncorp Stadium as part of their record-setting U2 360° Tour. Over 105,000 fans attended the two concerts.
Setlists Played in Brisbane
Across their multiple stops in Brisbane over the past four decades, U2 has performed a wide array of songs from throughout their entire career. Here are some highlights of the setlists U2 has played at their various Brisbane concerts:
- 1985 Unforgettable Fire Tour – Sunday Bloody Sunday, Pride (In the Name of Love), Bad, The Unforgettable Fire, New Year’s Day
- 1987 Joshua Tree Tour – Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, With or Without You, Bullet the Blue Sky
- 1992 Zoo TV Tour – Zoo Station, The Fly, One, Even Better Than the Real Thing, Mysterious Ways
- 1997 PopMart Tour – Mofo, Staring at the Sun, Gone, Last Night on Earth, Discotheque, Wake Up Dead Man
- 2001 Elevation Tour – Elevation, Beautiful Day, Until the End of the World, New York, One
- 2010 U2 360° Tour – Return of the Stingray Guitar, I Will Follow, Get on Your Boots, Magnificent, Vertigo, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, City of Blinding Lights
While the setlists have evolved over time as U2 has released new material, they have consistently featured both classics like “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” “Where the Streets Have No Name,” and “One” alongside newer songs from whatever their latest album project was at the time. The Joshua Tree Tour shows focused heavily on that era, while Zoo TV featured more songs from Achtung Baby, and so on. But signature anthems like “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” have appeared at nearly every Brisbane concert.
Noteworthy Moments from Brisbane Shows
Beyond the setlists, there have been many memorable moments from U2’s various Brisbane concerts over the past four decades:
- During the 1997 PopMart Tour, Bono brought an Australian flag on stage and draped himself in it during the encore performance of “Walk On.”
- At the 2001 Elevation Tour show, Bono modified the lyrics to “Kite” to say “Something takes a hold of my heart in Brisbane.”
- In 2010, U2’s stage malfunctioned during the first of two 360° Tour dates in Brisbane. The massive claw-like stage structure got jammed while trying to rotate, forcing the band to pause the show temporarily.
- During the Joshua Tree 30th anniversary tour in 2019, U2 played a massive world tour where every show featured the entire Joshua Tree album performed. However, Brisbane was not included on the itinerary for this milestone tour.
There have also been various guest appearances and collaborations with local Australian bands at some Brisbane shows. INXS joined U2 on stage in 1985, Jimmy Barnes appeared in 1992, and Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning came out for the 2010 concerts.
Why U2 Has Such an Affinity for Brisbane
What is it exactly about Brisbane that has made U2 return there so frequently over the decades? There are several factors that help explain U2’s affinity for the city:
- As part of Australia’s “East Coast Touring Circuit,” Brisbane is conveniently located near other major markets like Sydney and Melbourne that U2 has traditionally played.
- Brisbane audiences are known to be enthusiastic, lively, and passionate – perfect for U2’s anthemic catalog and fiery live performances.
- The band has cited great experiences playing Brisbane venues like the Entertainment Centre earlier in their career.
- Brisbane’s sunny subtropical climate and coastal setting provides a nice change of pace from some of the colder regions U2 tours in.
- There is a large Irish expatriate community in Brisbane, giving U2 somewhat of a hometown fanbase.
U2 has shown a level of loyalty to Brisbane that stands out from many other places they’ve toured. While not always making every single world tour, U2 has consistently returned about once per decade, continuing to satisfy their Australian fans. The passion and hospitality shown by the crowds in Brisbane make it a special tour stop for the band.
Will U2 Play Brisbane Again in the Future?
Looking ahead, it seems very likely U2 will return to play more concerts in Brisbane when they embark on their next worldwide tour. While the pandemic sidelined touring plans in 2020 and 2021, U2 remains creatively active. There are rumors of a new album and tour potentially on the horizon for 2023 or 2024. When that next tour is announced, expect Brisbane to be on the itinerary.
Some key factors that point to U2 coming back to Brisbane in the near future include:
- Their long history of touring there – it’s become almost a given for Australian tours.
- In a 2015 interview, Edge named Brisbane as one of his 5 favorite cities in the world to play.
- Frontman Bono has repeatedly expressed his love and appreciation for Australian audiences.
- There are major stadium venues well-suited for U2 like Suncorp Stadium.
- A visit would align with touring cycles to support new albums.
While nothing is confirmed yet, U2 definitely owes Brisbane a proper concert after passing over the city for the Joshua Tree anniversary tour. Expect them to make their return soon when the time is right. Brisbane will surely give them the usual warm welcome for rock’s greatest live act.
Conclusion
For over 35 years, Brisbane has been a regular and beloved tour stop for U2 time after time. The passionate crowds, coastal locale, and developed touring infrastructure have made the city a prime destination for the Irish rockers. Though Brisbane has sometimes been skipped on certain tours, U2 has shown an amazing consistency in returning about once per decade. With a new album possibly on the horizon, hopes are high that Brisbane will be graced with more unforgettable U2 concerts when their next world tour comes through Australia. For fans eager to see U2’s inspirational live show, the message is clear – don’t worry, Brisbane’s time is coming again soon.