U2 Boy 1st Leg UK & Europe
This is a complete list of all known U2 concerts for the Boy Tour 1st leg. This includes U2’s first European gigs in Holland & their Christmas shows in Ireland. The first two dates of the Irish Christmas shows had to be cancelled due commitments in the UK.
06/09/1980 General Wolfe, Coventry, UK
Attendance; 60 – 100
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; 11 O’clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, 2 encores
I first saw U2 at the General Wolfe Public House in Coventry on Saturday 6th September 1980. This was before I’d heard and fallen for “I Will Follow”, and was a fairly spontaneous attendance. I guess I’d read about them in either the NME or Sounds, but went along with little in the way of expectation – my regular evening DJ John Peel never ever liked U2, refusing sessions from them on more than one occasion, indeed they didn’t record their first Radio One (Richard Skinner) session until a year later, and the BBC rarely played songs that weren’t in the charts.
I reviewed the show in my first ever fanzine One Off;
“They came on about 10.45 – a 4 piece comprising: blonde bassist in specs (good looking): lead guitarist in paint stained jeans: drummer with earring: vocalist in leather with mass of hair. They play a very powerful set with few bad numbers. When they play fast and loud they’re excellent – hard hitting drums, powerful multi style guitar breaks, solid bass and eccentric vocalist obviously enjoying himself. But the slower numbers dragged on a bit. Much of the vocals were inaudible but the lead singer’s antics and enjoyment did a lot towards nullifying that complaint. They were on for an hour and did two encores. The national music press says they’ll be the next big thing and for once they could be right”
Certainly prescient to a degree if somewhat short of being a rave review, but what I really remember now of that evening is that as I’d promised her parents I’d get my girlfriend home at a respectable hour, we had to leave as soon as U2 left the stage after their two encores. The layout of the back room meant you had to go out through a door to the side of the stage, which we duly did, following the band as they too used the same exit. There was no indoor back stage area for the band to hang around and wallow in the applause, just the small car park to the rear of the pub and so we had to pass them as we walked out onto Station Street. A cheery “Goodnight” from us as we went by, got a friendly “Thanks for coming guys” from the nameless and rather sweaty lead singer.
07/09/1980 Lyceum Ballroom, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Line up; The Books, The Au Pairs, Delta 5, Echo & The Bunnymen
Admission; £3
Set; includes 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, Stories For Boys, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, A Day Without Me, Twilight, The Electric Co. Encore 11 O’clock Tick Tock
08/09/1980 Marquee, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Jerry Floyd
Admission; £1.25
Set; includes I will Follow, Into The Heart, Shadows & Tall Trees, A Day Without Me
This concert was reviewed in Melody maker, were this incomplete set list comes from.
09/09/1980 Berekly, Bristol, UK
Attendance; reports of only 5
Support; Misdemeanour
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
11/09/1980 Wellington Club, Kingston Upon Hull, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
This is the only time U2 are known to have played in Hull.
12/09/1980 Taboo Club, Scarborough, UK
Attendance; approx 40
Support; Midnight & The Lemon Boys
Admission; unknown
Set; 11 O’clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, An Cat Dubh, Into The Heart, A Day Without Me, Twlight, Electric Co, Things To Make & Do, Stories For Boys, Boy/Girl, Out Of Control.
13/09/1980 Queen’s Hall, Leeds, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; £6 & £10
Set; includes A Day Without Me, An Cat Dubh, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, The Electric Co.
This concert was reviewed in Melody Maker.
15/09/1980 Marquee, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Jerry Floyd & Vision Collison
Admission; £1.25
Set; unknown
16/09/1980 Fiesta Suite, Plymouth, UK
Attendance; aprox 100
Support; DJ Davy
Admission; £1.25
Set; The Ocean, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, I Will Follow, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, A Day Without Me, Twilight, Touch, The Electric Co. Boy Girl, Stories For Boys, Out Of Control, Things To Make & Do
17/09/1980 Demelzas, Penzance, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
17/09/1980 Golden Eagle, Birmingham, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
U2 were scheduled to perform at Demelzas in Plymouth on this date, but several media articles indicate that was cancelled for unconfirmed reasons and U2 played in Birmingham instead.
18/09/1980 Civic Hall, Totnes, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; The Well Endowed, 96 Tears
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
Local press at the time confirm that this performance was cancelled. A telegram from the promoter stated that a band member had appendicitis, although U2 played two concerts between the telegram being sent and this date. A make-up show was reportedly scheduled for the following month but also cancelled after rock concerts at the venue were banned by the city council. The planned date of the make-up show is not known.
19/09/1980 Marshall Rooms, Stroud, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Midnight & The Lemon Boys
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
There is a review of this gig in the local press.
21/09/1980 Nags Head, Wollaston, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Radio 1 DJ John Peel
Admission; £0.50
Set; unknown
22/09/1980 Marquee, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Jane Kennaway & Strange Behaviour, Jerry Floyd
Admission; £1.25
Set; 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, Touch, Twilight, Boy – Girl
23/09/1980 Limit Club, Sheffield, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
24/09/1980 Bogarts, Birmingham, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
24/09/1980 Friars Club, Aylesbury, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; for Rory Gallagher
Admission; unknown
Set; 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, Touch, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, A Day Without Me, Twilight, The Electric Co., Things To Make 7 Do, Out Of control
25/09/1980 Brady’s, Liverpool, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Midnight & The Lemon Boys
Admission; £1.25, £1.50
Set; unknown
26/09/1980 Cedar Club, Birmingham, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; The Xpertz, Midnight & The Lemon Boys
Admission; £3.00
Set; The Ocean, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, Touch, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, A Day Without Me, Twilight, The Electric Co, Things To Make & Do, Stories For Boys, Boy – Girl, Out Of Control
27/09/1980 Polytechnic, Coventry, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; £1.00 in advance
Set; unknown
29/09/1980 Marquee, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Jerry Floyd
Admission; £1.25
Set; The Ocean, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, Touch, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, A Day Without Me, Twilight, The Electric Co, Things To Make & Do, Stories For Boys, Boy – Girl, Out Of Control
30/09/1980 Polytechnic, Brighton, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
02/10/1980 Fan Club, Leeds, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; The Ocean, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, Touch, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, A Day Without Me, Twilight, The Electric Co, Things To Make & Do, Stories For Boys, Boy – Girl, Out Of Control
03/10/1980 Porter House, Retford, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
At this time I’m not sure if U2 played this date or not. The advert for the concert in the local press does not have U2 listed as playing that night.
04/10/1980 School Of Economics, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
05/10/1980 Half Moon Club, Herne Hill, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
07/10/1980 Boat Club, Nottingham, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
09/10/1980 Polytechnic, Manchester, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Elti Fits, Midnight & The Lemon Boys
Admission; £2.00
Set; The Ocean, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, Touch, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, A Day Without Me, Twilight, The Electric Co, Things To Make & Do, Stories For Boys, Boy – Girl, Out Of Control
11/10/1980 Polytechnic, Kingston, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
15/10/1980 The Milky Way, Amsterdam, Holland
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; The Ocean, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, Touch, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, A Day Without Me, Twilight, The Electric Co, Things To Make & Do, Stories For Boys, Boy – Girl, Out Of Control encore 11 O’Clock Tick Tock
U2’s first show in mainland Europe. The night before they played to a small crowd for a radio show.
16/10/1980 Vera, Groningen, Holland
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; The Ocean, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, Touch, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, A Day Without Me, Twilight, The Electric Co, Things To Make & Do, Stories For Boys, Boy – Girl, Out Of Control encore 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow
17/10/1980 Gigant, Apeldoorn, Holland
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; includes The Ocean, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, Twilight, Out Of Control
18/10/1980 Claridge, Brussels, Belgium
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; 220 BF
Set; unknown
U2’s first show in Belgium
19/10/1980 Lyceum Ballroom, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; The Last Words, Discharge, U2, Slade
Admission; £3.00
Set; unknown
07/11/1980 University, Exeter, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Midnight & The Lemon Boys
Admission; £2.00
Set; unknown
08/11/1980 University, Southampton, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Midnight & The Lemon Boys
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
09/11/1980 Moonlight Club, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Midnight & The Lemon Boys
Admission; £1.50
Set; unknown
11/11/1980 Rutherford College, Kent University, Canterbury, UK
Attendance; 150 Sellout
Support; David Frost, The Flamingo’s
Admission; £0.50
Set; Stories For Boys, The Ocean, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, Touch, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, Another Time Another Place, The Cry/The Electric Co, Things To make & Do, Twilight, I Will Follow, Father Is An Elephant
12/11/1980 University, Bradford, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Medium Medium
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
13/11/1980 Limit Club, Sheffield, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Medium Medium
Admission; unknown
Set; The Ocean, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow, Touch, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart, A Day Without Me, Twilight, The Electric Co, Things To Make & Do, Stories For Boys, Boy – Girl, Out Of Control encore 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, I Will Follow
14/11/1980 Town Hall, Kidderminster, UK
Attendance; Approx 250
Support; Aquarius
Admission; £1.75
Set; unknown
15/11/1980 Polytechnic, Bristol, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Midnight & The Lemon Boys
Admission; £1.50
Set; includes I Will Follow, 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, An cat Dubh/Into The Heart, Electric Co, Stories For Boys encore I Will Follow
18/11/1980 University, Reading, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Medium Medium
Admission; £1.50
Set; unknown
19/11/1980 Polytechnic, Wolverhampton, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Medium Medium
Admission; £1.50
Set; unknown
20/11/1980 Gaiety Bar, Blackpool, UK
Attendance; Approx 125/150
Support; Medium Medium
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
21/11/1980 Nite Club, Edinburgh, UK
Attendance; 400 sell out
Support; Altered Images
Admission; unknown
Set; Stories For Boys, The Ocean, 11 O’Clock tick tock, Touch, An Cat dubh/In To the Heart, Another Time Another Place, The Cry/Electric Co, I Will Follow encore 11 O’Clock tick tock, The Ocean, Father Is An Elephant
U2’s first concert in Scotland
22/11/1980 Brady’s, Liverpool, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Medium Medium
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
24/11/1980 Polytechnic, Coventry, UK
Attendance; Unknown
Support; Medium Medium
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
26/11/1980 Marquee, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Jerry Floyd
Admission; £2.00
Set; unknown
27/11/1980 Marquee, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Jerry Floyd
Admission; £2.00
Set; includes Stories For Boys, Another Time Another Place, I Will Follow, Twilight, Out Of Control encore 11 O’Clock Tick Tock
28/11/1980 University, Aston, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Midnight & The Lemon Boys
Admission; unknown
Set; Stories For Boys, The Ocean, 11 O’Clock tick tock, Touch, An Cat dubh/In To the Heart, Another Time Another Place, The Cry/Electric Co, I Will Follow encore 11 O’Clock tick tock, The Ocean, Father Is An Elephant
This is the last time U2 will play Father Is An Elephant live.
29/11/1980 Keele University, Stoke, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; unknown
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
30/11/1980 Jenkinson’s, Brighton, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Midnight & The Lemon Boys
Admission; £1.90 & £2.50
Set; unknown
Midnight & The Lemon Boys may have headlined this concert as they were a local Brighton band.
01/12/1980 Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Boots for Dancing, U2, Talking Heads
Admission; £3.50
Set; unknown
02/12/1980 Hammersmith Palais, London, UK
Attendance; unknown
Support; Boots for Dancing, U2, Talking Heads
Admission; £2.50, £3.00 £3.50
Set; unknown
03/12/1980 France Theatre Mogador, Paris, France
Attendance; unknown
Main Act; Talking Heads
Admission; unknown
Set; unknown
U2’s first concert in France. This show was advertised as taking place at Pavillon Baltard but the venue was changed for unknown reasons.
04/12/1980 Pavllion Baltard, Nogent-Sur-Marne, France
Attendance; unknown
Main Act; Talking Heads
Admission; unknown
Set; 11 O’Clock Tick Tock, An Cat Dubh/Into The Heart,Another Time Another Place, The Cry/Electric Co, Things To Make & Do, Twilight, I Will Follow, encore 11 O’Clock Tick Tock
Due to the late addition of these French concerts to the tour, U2 are forced to cancel their planned 2nd leg opener in Rochester on 5 December as they fly across the Atlantic on that date.
U2 Boy Leg 2 USA December 1980 https://ghostown1976.com/?page_id=5134&preview_id=5134&preview_nonce=805b41d56d&preview=true