Scatter of Light in Paris

'Ground control to Major Tom...' Five shows in and that's all the signal that 90,000 Parisians need to know that the U2 space station is in orbit and the fifth show of the tour is about to begin. The distinctive figure of Larry Mullen Jnr walks along the central platform of the stage and as he starts playing Edge appears from his right, Adam from his left. Bono arrives last, coming 'from a long line of traveling sales people on my mothers side.'

And this show is off, travelling through the Stade de France like loose electricity with four straight songs from 'No Line' and Magnificent ending with Bono slipping into arabic style lullaby - 'we love you, there's nothing you can do' - and segueing into the opening bars of Beautiful Day.

'Thank you for coming out and thank you for giving us a great life,' he explains. 'Thank you for giving us the chance to build this madness, this space station.' Times are tough in France like every place in the world, but 'we believe you are tough enough, smart enough, creative enough and stubborn enough to make the future even better than the past.'
The drum riser takes a spin during 'Still Haven't Found' and for a while each member of the band is playing to a different quarter of the stadium. Moments later and the four of them could be in a Dublin kitchen thirty years ago, standing close together around a 'red guitar on fire'. Desire features snatches of Michael Jackson before Bono reveals that 'we have somebody with us tonight who is about to be the first clown in space.' In A LIttle While goes out to Guy Laliberte, founder of Cirque de Soleil, who is set to join the International Space Station later this year.

'A man takes a rocket ship into the skies
He lives on a star that's dying in the night
And follows in the trail, the scatter of light...'

It's the perfect moment for 90,000 people to look up and find that on the huge sphere of screens, the six astronauts from the very same space station are ready for another chat with the band. (Turns out this conversation was recorded earlier as the astronauts are asleep right now.) Edge wants to know if space food is any good. ('Nourishing... but not like mom's home-cooked meals.' ) Adam has noticed that they have iPods and has been wondering if they have 'bass in space'. In fact the astronauts were listening to U2 over dinner just the day before. (The right answer.) The space travellers are wished bon voyage and Unknown Caller takes on another spin with its line about being 'on the edge of the known universe where I wanted to be.'

Is 'Crazy' getting crazier ? This dub version of the upcoming single sets up an irresistible groove and is starting to feel like a summer dance floor hit. The Stade de France was jumping tonight. If that's a track which has taken on a whole new feel in a matter of weeks, the next one is evergreen, despite being written a quarter century ago. It sounded like Bono said 'Tehran Radio' during the opening bars of Sunday Bloody Sunday and as the screens turned green and the farsi script scrolled into view, the stadium erupted in applause and recognition. On this tour it is the people of Iran who are asking 'how long must we sing this song.'

That's enough from us. If you were there tonight, add your own comments on songs or production below. Or if you caught some of it online, tell us what it was like. Here's the set list.

Breathe
No Line On The Horizon
Get On Your Boots
Magnificent
Beautiful Day
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Desire
In A Little While
Unknown Caller
Unforgettable Fire
City of Blinding LIghts
Vertigo
I'll Go Crazy (Remix)
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Pride (In The Name of Love)
MLK
Walk On
Where The Streets Have No Name
One
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Ultraviolet
With Or Without You
Moment of Surrender

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julie-b - 11 July, 2009 LOVE I was there and I received so much from you guys!! Thank for all the love you've showed to us!! Tthis was one of the best concert !! I really hope you felt as much love as we do !!! GREAT TIME!!! GREAT SHOW!!! Sweet dream!! Thanks a lot !!!

lassalle - 11 July, 2009 Genious I was there, it was the best show i've ever seen, better than Vertigo I think. Thank you for all the energy. Need to buy your glasses, as I read "Bono's charisma can be attributed largely to his glasses" somewhere ! Thanks a lot for all.

enjoiu2 - 11 July, 2009 Awsome!!!!! =D grate songs i love them all but you dident play white as snow ='( but you guys still rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! B)

fcbruges - 11 July, 2009 Vertigo Great that's Vertigo on the set !!

filip_lagaert - 12 July, 2009 We're ONE I took a 3 houre-drive, but it was worth it. Amazing what technology can do... Unforgettable Fire was like the space ship was comming to live and preparing for lift off. For me, U2 is way up high, where no-other band will ever reach them. Although I'm gladly to sting "I still haven't found what I'm looking for", I know I have found last night the feeling back again I had during Vertigo-tour. After waiting 4-5 years, it was there again. And, although I am a 28-year old guy, I have to admit during Walk On and One, a tear in my eye wasn't far away.... Many many thanks to the guy's for With Or Without You and light my way... Now, a week to relax, do some work, dream some more and I'll see U2 back monday in Amsterdam...

joriske - 12 July, 2009 revieuw i was there yesterday it was awsome!!! they did it very good and it was so nice to see all the lights of the mobiles during one!

carined - 12 July, 2009 So wonderfull ! So, a little bit tired cos' the night was spent listening (again) to the new album after the show; 2 hours sleeping only but no regret at all !!! This was the first real live show for me and it was SO GREAT !!! thanks a lot; many emotions, so much love and so much hope ! The stage is amazing and the set list so fine ! A very very great moment !!!!!

pmalotti - 12 July, 2009 Great as ever Those four guys that have been part of my life for more than two decades keep being in the Hall of Fame of music. That concert was huge! It's not easy to warm up a stadium... Even Madonna last year failed! But it was better than warm up... It was just glowing! The remix of I'll Go Crazy is just insane... Thank you and I wish you the best for the rest of the Tour... We reached the sky yesterday evening!

Alexis Singer - 12 July, 2009 Magnificent Guys, I was in the stadium yesterday and what you did out there was just amazing ! This was clearly the BEST show ever ! The Space Station is just impressive and you gave so much to us during the show, simply awesome ! Only regret is that I can't be there again tonight, but I will definitely try my best to catch you again live somewhere before the tour is over !!!! Thank you !

maela62 - 12 July, 2009 it is just like a mosaic... To me , reading the report and looking at the video clip of ' Breathe' it comes out ,it has been a great show in a joyful venue. The concert is growing and enriching, date by date. Each moment of the show is like a piece of a mosaic, letting a surprisingly sense of having been part of a special event of life.

fhenry - 12 July, 2009 unforgettable :-))) I was in Paris last night and this time is totally unforgettable. The show is altogether light, meaningful, lively and intense. Bono and U2 have the right words, I could feel the whole wonderful crowd breathing, shouting, clapping. We were One, we sang, jumped, felt, cried. I was certainely totally within this special moment; Thank you Bono and thank you U2 for everything you gave us. I cherish every minute of it.

crey - 12 July, 2009 Thank you It was the best show of my life. Thank you so much for this beautiful night.

- 12 July, 2009 No words for that My first U2 show, and this was...AMAZING !! The stage, the lights, the band, everything : awesome !! Thank you so much, now I have to wait till next year, I hope you'll come back to Paris You re just incredible !!

Pegy - 12 July, 2009 amazing I was there, that was incredible, standing just a few meters in front of the stage. A moment to remember. I ve just missed Mysterious ways. Never mind, best show ever seen.

singlemaltwhisky - 12 July, 2009 Fabulastic After a 3 hours drive and a quick visit to Paris centre ville, we headed for the stadium. It took us some time to find a decent Belgian beer near the Stade de France. But in the end, whatever we did before the first drumbeat of 'Breathe' turned out to be quit pointless. U2 have reinvented the whole concept of a stadium concert. The amazing stage is like a spider from space telling us the world is not such a bad place after all. Four Irish blokes are creating a warmth that is rarely found when you're amongst over 90,000 people. To me, the most magical moment was when all the lights went out at 'One' and we held up our cell phones. All those little lights made up a wonderful scenary. Just loved it. On the way back home we shuffled all the available U2-songs and sang for 3 more hours. Thanks, laddies, thanks...

Liam7123 - 12 July, 2009 Dublin Watch out Paris July 11th. What a show. Whoever sees U2 on this tour will witness a piece of history. The crowd were fantastic and the show like nothing ever attempted before. Is it possible they can do better, be more original in the future? This was pure class, better than Vertigo by far. For those who have tickets, prepare to be amazed.

CARPEDIEM476 - 12 July, 2009 magnificent I was there with my niece, a 17 year old young women who have discovered for the first time an irish band in live called u2.. for my part, it was my 3rd concert of u2. thanks a lot, what a pleasure to listen "the unforgettable fire" in live ...and a plenty of songs absolutely divine ....u2 can touch you ....you dance, you cry, you love, you say good bye...and finally it let you an impression of "it's too short, i will come back"....

ninda - 13 July, 2009 high school dream fulfilled Goodness! I still can't believe that I saw U2 live in concert (July 11, 2009; Stade de France, Paris)! It was spectacular and I'll never forget it for the rest of my life! I was pretty emotional because 15 years ago when I was still in high school in Indonesia, I dreamt about this. Well, dreams do come true sometimes. You just have to believe in them =)

tonyjp67 - 13 July, 2009 Going Crazy in the City of (Blinding) Li Travelled from Scotland with my family for this gig and it was my daughters first ever concert experience - they are aged 10 and 8. So while I had seen the band countless times over the past 20 odd years this was always going to be a unique and special show. The lads didn't disappoint. The stage set was the best ever, Bono has never sounded better, while Edge, Adam and Larry continue to prove to be the best in the business at what they do. Every song was played with so much energy and passion and the band seemed to be really enjoying themselves. For me Crazy and Unknown Caller were the highlights from NLOTH, while UF, SBS and Streets (of course) were the best from the past. Disappointed that Drowning Man wasn't played and would also have loved to have heard Party Girl again (maybe in Glasgow). Parisian crowd were good, although slightly more reserved than a Glasgow audience (too cool perhaps to go too Crazy). Bono's comments on Michael Jackson - "what a waste" were spot on. Thanks lads for yet another special night - my daughters are still on a high.

redarmo - 13 July, 2009 Magnificent It truly was. I made the journey from the North of England for this and it was well worth it. The remix of 'Crazy' was just out of this world. Blinding lights and the classics One and With or without you will never be beaten by anyone! Very pleased that Ultraviolet made an appearance too. Thanks for a top top night. One that I will not forget.

Matje - 13 July, 2009 What´s up next? Une, Deux, Trois..., Vertigo! Awesome!! Felt like whole Paris lifted off yesterday.... My first U2 concert but guys.., what a performance!! Thanx! Can´t wait till the next one!

Urca - 13 July, 2009 Thanks for this great "moments" Coming up from Luxembourg to Paris with our two eldest kids looking out for Mum's Irish band she's a fan since she's 15...Great show, a perfect mix of your new and old songs. Many emotions, great communication, what an energy...Thank you guys for the big time you give your fans. Stay well .

lemoorelevrai - 13 July, 2009 Remix on CD ? Please, Please, publish that awfully exciting remix on a live CD !!!! I was there, I'll be in Nice too. But after that, how can I hear it back again ?

pilouhd - 13 July, 2009 SIMPLY THE BEST I WAS IN PARIS ON SATURDAY WITH MY CHILDREN.THANKS FOR ALL!!!TEARS IN THEIR EYES,WET SHIRTS AFTER THE SHOW.IT WAS THEIR FIRST U2 LIVE...BUT NOT THE LEAST. WE WANT MORE!!!!THEIR DAD THANKS ALL THE BAND!!!!!

tonypark - 13 July, 2009 Awesome Saturday Night in Paris! Awesome show, awesome venue, a night to remember!, I hope the band felt connected with 5th member because we were with you all the way....After the Vertigo tour I promised my wife that I would take her and the kids to the next tour, we live in the UK in Blackburn and will be on holiday in France for all of the UK shows so we were privileged to get to Paris and now she knows what the band are all about and I am proud to have given my 2 kids the experience of a lifetime! See you next time...........

teutch - 13 July, 2009 U2 MON AMOUR Thank you so much for this night, i will never forget all the energy and the love you gave us. You gave me true emotions, i feel different since that night. What you did has been done before, U2 rules forever !!

KiraClaire - 14 July, 2009 CRAZY THAT NIGHT Thank you Thank you Thank you! All my youth I passed with your song, but never had the chance to see any concert - I lived in Russia. Now I am in France and - at least - I can see you in live show! I was one of the most fabulous days in me life! Since all these years! I hope to see more concerts of yours in my life but surely this show will always remain the best for my, because it was just realization of the dream of my youth. Thank you, you're wonderful!

Pierre_from_Bonne_eau - 15 July, 2009 Great and fall in love I was there. I was got one more place that i Gave to lovely Girl 1. Lovely Girl 1 gave it to her friend lovely girl 2. She paid me a beer. The show was great. I fall in love for Lovely Girl 1 and Lovely Girl 2. If you read this message, just contact me. I promise to go to Dublin next time. It was too short. It was to intensive, it was too.... I'll can't wait for so much years.

hkleinjan - 16 July, 2009 Awesome Amazing show, amazing band, Amazing Sound. Highlight Unforgettable Fire With Bono above our heads singing to us. See you in Amsterdam

pantheon - 17 July, 2009 Amazing Other highlights included - Crowd singing "I Still Haven't found" - Desmond Tuto "We are those people" Concert was an amazing experience that exceeded expectations - even better than Vertigo in Cardiff 4 years ago!