U2 Goes Up Against Cricket, Busts Out Surprises in Perth

U2 performed their ninth and tenth shows Down Under at the Subiaco Oval in Perth on Saturday and Sunday.  They were the band’s first performances in the Western part of the continent in nearly 13 years.

With well over seventy shows already in the books for the 360 Degrees Tour, the Saturday setlist could – perhaps – be excused for seeming a bit “ordinary”.  However, high spirits and hijinks prevailed, with the band once again showing their ability to connect with local audiences by acknowledging the major cricket match between Australia and England that was taking place concurrently across town.

The Sunday set, meanwhile, found the band breaking out an inordinate number of surprises for the Perth audience; both “All I Want Is You” and “Love Rescue Me” were performed for only the second time this tour, with the latter getting only its second performance in 21 years. (!)  Almost as rare was the only 2010 performance of “Desire”, and an unusual snippet of “Party Girl”, performed by request from an audience member before show finale “Moment of Surrender”.  Receiving its debut performance as a snippet was Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” (Put A Ring On It) – tied into “Mysterious Ways” – and, for the first time on the 360 tour, John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”, perhaps as a late tribute to the 30th anniversary of the great singer’s murder.

Thanks, as always, to www.u2gigs.com for the setlist and show info.  All photos courtesy Dom Puglisi.

Setlist (Saturday, December 18):

1. Return Of The Stingray Guitar
2. Beautiful Day
3. I Will Follow
4. Get On Your Boots
5. Magnificent
6. Mysterious Ways
7. Elevation
8. Until The End Of The World / Anthem (snippet)
9. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / Movin’ On Up (snippet)
10. North Star
11. Pride (In The Name Of Love)
12. In A Little While
13. Miss Sarajevo
14. City Of Blinding Lights
15. Vertigo
16. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight / Relax (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet)
17. Sunday Bloody Sunday
18. Scarlet
19. Walk On / You’ll Never Walk Alone (snippet)

encore(s):

20. One
21. Amazing Grace (snippet) / Where The Streets Have No Name
22. Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
23. With Or Without You
24. Moment of Surrender

Setlist (Sunday, December 19):

1. Return Of The Stingray Guitar
2. Beautiful Day / Rain (snippet)
3. New Year’s Day
4. Get On Your Boots
5. Magnificent
6. Mysterious Ways / Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) (snippet)
7. Elevation
8. Until The End Of The World
9. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (snippet)
10. All I Want Is You / Never Tear Us Apart (snippet) / Need You Tonight (snippet)
11. Love Rescue Me
12. Desire
13. In A Little While
14. Miss Sarajevo
15. City Of Blinding Lights
16. Vertigo
17. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight / Discothèque (snippet)
18. Sunday Bloody Sunday
19. Scarlet
20. Walk On / You’ll Never Walk Alone (snippet)

encore(s):

21. One
22. Amazing Grace (snippet) / Where The Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love (snippet) / Singing In The Rain (snippet)
23. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
24. With Or Without You
25. Party Girl (snippet) / Moment of Surrender