Just the 13 albums of material to choose from.
U2 are set to rock the 3Arena this week as the boys come home to play four sold-out shows as part of their iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour.
They’ll obviously be playing some of their classic songs along with material from their new album, Songs of Innocence, but what about some of the tunes that will probably slip through the cracks?
13 albums makes it incredibly hard to settle on a setlist and it’s very likely that some of these gems might not be played live. Then again, maybe Bono and the lads have a surprise up their sleeves.
Trip Through Your Wires
Play it because: I could make a case for every track from The Joshua Tree but that riff from The Edge at 1:33 is absolute perfection.
In A Little While
Play it because: Uber U2 fan Brandon Flowers has often said that this is the best song that the band have ever recorded and the track has that languid quality that makes it feel like it’s washing over the whole audience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtVAJEAWnlU
People Get Ready
Play it because: U2 love throwing in some cover songs into their sets but this is arguably their best ever. They managed to take Curtis Mayfield’s iconic track and make it sound their own.
I absolutely love this live version from 1987 because Bono reaches an angelic note that’s almost physically impossible at the 2:21 mark.
Stay (Far Away So Close)
Play it because: According to esteemed music site Setlist.fm , U2 have only played this song 102 times live before in their history.
Compare this figure to to their most frequently played track ‘I Will Follow ‘ on 908. Wow. For most bands, this song would be their regular encore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zDvUM4lWXA
Staring At The Sun
Play it because: Weary, washed out and wonderful. The tone and feel of this song is capable of uniting 80,000 strangers into one swaying but merry mob.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U3rY3fZ5vU
Out of Control
Play it because: Will they or won’t they? The played it in Belfast but the band seem to be happy to chose between this and fellow ‘Boy’ anthem Electric Co. We say play them both and let Dublin lose it’s mind. It’s U2 at their pop-punk best. A classic but still not as revered as some of their other tracks but this version at Slane is simply stunning.
Original of the Species
Play it because: Our esteemed editor Paddy McKenna is a huge fan of the chorus and bridge in this track. Who am I to argue with him?
Acrobat
Play it because: Even the staunchest haters of U2 will be simply blown away by this track. Why haters would pay money to go their gig is a mystery but it’s a blistering track that’s seldom played live.
Wire
Play it because: 30 years old and taken from the Unforgettable Fire album, this is U2 showing the world what they were capable of. Fast-paced, high-octane rock ‘n’ roll. A prelude of what was to come.
Hawkmoon 269
Play it because: A song from the Rattle and Hum album which was criticised by some, but to my mind contained some epic work, including this gem.
It’s menacing, it’s rasping, it’s U2 at their very best.
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