’Visually Stunning’
’Visually Stunning’
’Visually Stunning’

'Visually Stunning'

The iNNOCENCE+ eXPERIENCE Tour opened in Vancouver tonight. First report here.

15 May 2015

U2’s return to the concert stage tonight, for the opening show on their ‘iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE’ world tour, was nothing short of a triumph.

The band delighted the crowd of 19,000 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver with more than two hours of brilliant musicianship, illuminated by one of the most visually stunning rock productions ever mounted.

No fewer than seven tracks from last year’s ‘Songs of Innocence’ album were let loose on an audience for the first time, from the opening ‘The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)’ onwards. Every one was passionately delivered and warmly received among a compendium of the band’s most celebrated anthems.

The band reached all the way back to their earliest days on record by moving from that new opener to ‘I Will Follow,’ from 1980’s ‘Boy’ debut. A cleverly-sequenced set offered staples from all chapters of the U2 songbook, from ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ and ‘Pride (In The Name Of Love)’ to ‘Vertigo’ and ‘Desire,’ alongside fresh additions such as the moving ‘Iris (Hold Me Close)’ and ‘Raised By Wolves.’

What gave an explosion of colour to the entire proceedings was the technological masterpiece of a giant construction suspended above the walkway connecting the main and “b” stages. Known thus far within the touring operation as the “divider,” it looks like a fence but serves as a superbly versatile backdrop for animated and filmic visuals, with giant images of the band, moving in real time, projected onto it to give an entirely new dimension.

Double-sided, with space for Bono to work his presence in its corridor, the construction filled the entire arena and helped convey a truly surround-sound presence all the way to the back row.

'Technology can be fun,' as the frontman said himself.

The main set ended on ‘With Or Without You,’ but there were four more treats in store, with a brightly-lit angular set design for the encore that was launched, appropriately, with ‘City Of Blinding Lights.’ Clearly elated to be back in their element, the band sprinted for home with ‘Beautiful Day,’ ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’ and ‘I Still Haven't Found What I’m Looking For,’ as Vancouver roared its approval.

Were you at the show tonight? Add your own review and your photos on our tour page here.

MORE NEWS

ALL NEWS
Central Bank Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros presented the coin to Larry Mullen Jr.
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Central Bank of Ireland launches U2 commemorative coin marking 50 years since the band's formation.

28 SEP 2026
Fifty
50TH ANNIVERSARY

Live in Dublin fifty years on. Pat Carty was there for U2.com.

27 SEP 2026
'CARNAVAL DE LUZ' - New Album In November.
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The band's first studio album in nine years will be released on November 13th. Silencio, second track from...

24 SEP 2026
It’s Arrived (with a surprise)
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVES

The Days of Ash Propaganda Magazine & EP bundle is here… complete with a bonus Easter Lily edition...

17 SEP 2026
'2027 Persons of the Year'
HEARTS + MINDS

Band to be honoured by Musicares for 'five decades of musical achievement and humanitarian service'

10 SEP 2026
’Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah’
COMPILATIONS

Release of Pogues cover today, Friday, from stellar line up for '20th Century Paddy - The Songs Of...

28 AUG 2026
'Fireflies'
COLLABORATIONS

Out today!  Martin Garrix teams up with U2 on new track 'Fireflies', debuted live with Edge at Tomorrowland...

24 JUL 2026
'In a place called Mexico…'

Behind-the-scenes with band and crew on the shoot for 'Street of Dreams'.

17 JUL 2026
Street Of Dreams - The New Single is Here.
SINGLES

Listen to Street of Dreams, the first single from the band's upcoming studio album.

07 JUL 2026
’BALLROOM BOOM’
TV

'Ballroom Boom' screening at the Galway Film Fleadh this Thursday.

07 JUL 2026
What a wonder. They're calling it "The Obamalisk"
BONO

Bono and Edge performing City of Blinding Lights at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in...

22 JUN 2026
Live From The Obama Presidential Center

Watch live on Thursday as Bono and Edge join artists performing at the Opening Ceremony for the Obama...

17 JUN 2026
SHOWING 12 OF 4769 STORIES KEEP SCROLLING FOR MORE ↓

Related Topic

LATEST COMMENTS

FROM THE ARCHIVE PICKED AT RANDOM
U2 - Song For Hal 2026 U2 - Song For Hal WATCH →
THE NEW ALBUM
CARNAVAL DE LUZ

The new album. Out 13 November 2026.

PRE-ORDER

SUBSCRIBE TO U2.COM

Special editorial and video, exclusive newsletters and events, 25% coupon for the shop and first access to ticket sales when the band tour.