by Chad Moore

Well, almost 14 years ago, I attended this November 1, 1987 U2 performance at the Hoosier Dome. I was 13 years old, and it was my very first U2 concert. I was determined to see them on this tour, so I traveled from Illinois to Indiana to see my favorite band, U2.

First of all, I had never been to the Hoosier Dome before this night, and I must say that the Hoosier Dome is HUGE! Anyrate, after the opening bands(The BoDeans and Los Lobos) concluded, we sat patiently waiting, and waiting, and WAITING for U2 to take the stage. Finally, some guy steps up to the microphone and announces that there will be a delay...U2 was stuck in Chicago due to a layover. Now, this was not what 50,000+ U2 fans were expecting to hear. So, a psuedo-country band took the stage while "U2 were delayed in Chicago." I remember the person I was with saying, "It's them... that's U2!" It was U2 as the Dalton Brothers.

Yes, U2 played a joke on us. It was the night after Halloween so I imagine U2 decided to hold on to the costumes for another night. Funny thing is, I do not remember the transition from the Dalton Brothers to U2.

Anyway, U2 performed -- winning the place over, unsurprisingly. I bought a B&W poster of U2 from a guy, at my seat, who was walking around selling them. Soon after, I saw that same guy being escorted out of the place by security. I found out that he was selling stolen posters. I got to keep my poster. At one point, Bono even brought some guy from the audience up on stage to play his acoustic guitar during People Get Ready. That was very cool.

To this day, this was the best concert I have ever been to -- and I have been to many. They had the full backdrop that night. It was an awesome stage production. Bono is a true frontman. This band is and always will be unique. To me, The Joshua Tree tour was the best part of U2's career. I still like U2, but their 80's material will always be the true U2.

Return to previous page | Post a Review of this show!