U2360° TOUR Leg 2: 2010

Sep
6
2010
Istanbul, TR (Ataturk Olympic Stadium)
132
with Snow Patrol
Show Report


There were 50,000 through the doors of the Ataturk Olympic Stadium tonight to mark the band's first ever appearance in Turkey and if the anticipation was high, no-one was let down. The Return of the Stingray Guitar set the scene and by the time Beautiful Day led into New Year's Day Istanbul was jumping.

'Great to see ya...' said Bono, taking a breath. 'Have we the spirit to rock this Olympic Stadium? Where are we going? Ankara... Izmira... Antalya... Istanbul?'

Lots of special touches tonight, all the way through the set, from My Sweet Lord in 'Beautiful Day' to John I'm Only Dancing in 'Crazy' and the girl invited onstage for a dance during In A Little While.

'It took us a while to come to your magical city of Istanbul,' explained Bono. 'What is going on in this country is good for the whole world...
'Its a beautiful bridge...
'From the past into the future...
'From where Europe has been to where Europe needs to go... a bridge of understanding...'

The emotion of the night was never more evident than with the first live performance since Chile in 2006 of Mothers of the Disappeared. It was dedicated 'to the memory of Fehmi Tosun - whose family are with us tonight.' Fehmi disappeared in Turkey in 1995, as the band highlighted on the sleeve of 1997's Pop album.

Extraordinarily poignant to hear this song back in the set - 'We hear their heartbeat...' - and at the end Bono asked everyone, 'Would you please welcome Zulfu Livaneli?'

The famous Turkish artist and political activist received a huge reception telling everyone:
'We are the music makers,
We are the dreamers,
Welome Bono,
Welcome friends to Turkey...' For a moment Zulfu took over the vocals, his guitarist playing Edge's guitar, Bono watching, hand on chest - the whole audience joining in with this remarkable performer.

At the close of With or Without You, Bono thanked the audience for their patience. 'Let's not make it so long before we come back... alright this is moment of surrender.'

Were you in Istanbul tonight? We want to hear from you. Add your own review and upload your photos below.
132  Fan Reviews
krm84 - 09 September, 2010
come again!!
bono, edge,adam, larry....Istanbul and crowd loves you !!! last night's show was unforgettable.. thank you for all, you made us live great moment.!!! it took soooooo long to see you play here:(( next time, i am sure it will be BIGGER , and hope that the "next time" is NEAR!!! come again , in Istanbul, IN THIS CITY OF BLINDING LIGHTS!!!!!
murabg1 - 09 September, 2010
wanderfull night
I was totaly enjoyed of this magical show. Bono is an artist who has a talent to enchant the people around him. It was an unforgedable experience. I wish all the best to whole band.
- 09 September, 2010
Wonderful!
I can't explain!
Alexutzu - 09 September, 2010
To Brilioth
“Yiğidim Aslanım Burada Yatıyor” (“My hero, the lion, lies here”)
Brilioth - 09 September, 2010
Which Zulfu song was it he sang?
Wonderful wonderful concert. I thought the songs with Zulfu Livaneli were the best part of the show. Both Mothers of the disappeared and his own song. Which song was that?
elifo - 08 September, 2010
was it real?
I still can not believe if that was real! Magnificent.. please ,come back..please...
bahram - 08 September, 2010
First U2 experience in RED Zone
I'm one of the old fans of U2 from Iran. This was a great opportunity for us Iranians to participate in a concert in an asian country and I hope this happens again soon. We're so grateful of U2 because of their contribution to Iranian's green movement while singing Sunday bloody sunday. That was a greaaaaaat event, but we had so much problems getting the tickets because you can barely find someone in Turkey who can speak enough English, specially in ticket master company. I can't wait to go to the next concert, hopefully somewhere like Dublin!!
YGE - 08 September, 2010
Dream came true in inner circle
It was great to see U2 in Istanbul. The show was super. I was in inner circle, last year I have watched the show from a seat. When I first saw U2 on stage a few meters away from me, I felt as if I was in one of my concert DVDs, it was like a dream for me. I hope U2 liked us too, and come again.
Herkent - 08 September, 2010
Great nignt
Bono, The Edge,Adam and Larry was great. Only one point Bono must have attended to Turkish politicians. Lay Turkish people really don't like the names, Bono told at the concert. Sorry for "boooo" and reaction but the reaction was not wrong. Anyway, songs were fabulous, Bono, The Edge, Adam and Larry's performance was incredible. I hope you come back again without the "names"...
savasy - 08 September, 2010
Best Concert ever
Participating to this show was one of the first items in the 10 things I should do in life. I have left 9 other U2 concerts to go to. We wanna see you soon in Istanbul again, hope in another venue(in the city please). You rock!!!
Istanbulistheedge - 08 September, 2010
Magic of Istanbul
Zulfu and Bono shoulder top shoulder... WOW. I have been listening to U2 and Zulfu over 25 years. Seeing them both on stage together was totaly magical. Gave me goose bumps. Mothers of the Disappeared is of course a special song for a country like Turkey. Istanbul was glaring in magic that evening. Thank you U2 for for giving us this special night. Out of all the concerts I have seen you in, this has been the most special of all - despite the venue.
Svilen - 08 September, 2010
One less dream
U2 have always been not just my favourite band but so much more - four guys who see the world the way I do, who create music that speaks my language, that have always inspired me, been with me through good and bad, picked me up and elevated me so many times and even got me together with my future wife:) It's simply the soundtrack of my life. So to finally see them literally a couple of meters away from me, bringing my favourite songs to life was just incredible. It was indeed one of my biggest dreams come true after so many years. So, thank you, guys, for this amazing night and for everything you've been doing and sharing with us throughout all those years. And one more thing, for you there's probably no way of knowing it but there was a really huge number of Bulgarian fans who travelled to Istanbul to see you live. So, Bono, Edge, Larry, Adam, please, please come to Bulgaria at last and realize the dream of so many more people as well. I guarantee you, you'll see 70 000 of the most devoted fans in front of and all around you:) Until the next time
- 08 September, 2010
amazing night
We have been waiting a long time... was an amazing night..hope see you again soon...
- 08 September, 2010
thanks U2..
The best concert in Istanbul all of time...
acid_burn - 08 September, 2010
Mila
It was my second U2 concert and I was at the first row again.. the last time was Zagreb.. now Istanbul.. thank you thank you for a magical performance. U2 was the band which made me FEEL, it was the music that made me realize my first emotions and brought up my senses. Thank you for making me feel. It was an amazing, powerful concert full of energy. City of blinding lights and Sunday bloody sunday were some of my favourite moments. Thank you for casting your spell on us.
Alexutzu - 08 September, 2010
Organization
I subscribe to the terrible organization comments! you'd expect at least a longer schedule for trains or metros or trams since the stadium it's so far away from the city center. I understand that a metro line will lead to the stadium sometime next year, but until then.... concerts on Ataturk Olympic will have their part of frustration and stress. Otherwise, even I'm not the biggest U2 fan on this forum, it was a great show performed by the guys! Nicely done!
- 08 September, 2010
Memories
Boy was I inspired when i thought to buy tickets and take my teenage son to his first rock concert! This mother got it right for once....unforgettable,awesome one of the best experiences of my life,all the more so as i was sharing it with my son.Never seen anything like it in my life. Bringing on Zülfü Livaneli was just about the best thing ever,(the best political-commentator through music that there is in Turkey). Come back soon ,İ have another teenager that i've promised the same to........
Nihan - 08 September, 2010
The Best Ever
There is no word that can describe the concert night...It is a dream to come true. Thank you Bono Thank you U2. You will be always the best, always on the top. You are the ONE :) HOPE TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN
Nihan - 08 September, 2010
The Best Ever
There is no word that can describe the concert night...It is a dream to come true. Thank you Bono Thank you U2. You will be always the best, always on the top. You are the ONE :) HOPE TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN
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