U2 At Gillette Stadium: The Joshua Tree Stands The Test Of Time

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Even after 30 years, it’s easy to forget some parts of a landmark album like the Joshua Tree.

Speaking to a packed Gillette Stadium during their show Sunday night, U2 lead singer Bono said the tour to commemorate the album’s 30th anniversary was a chance to relearn the album.

“You think you know the album but you don’t,” Bono said.

Yet, for a band that claims that they had to be reacquainted with the Joshua Tree, they played the album start to finish without a hitch and just as well as when it was first released in 1987.

With the album packed between two four to six song sets, the evening started with a minimalist approach, performing mostly in the shadow of a tree for "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "New Year’s Day," "Bad," and "Pride (In The Name of Love)." Knowing the extravagance of the set, it was certainly easy to look at it and think it was trying to masquerade as the smaller stage they played on years ago at the Paradise Club.

As "Pride" ended with the words of the “I Have a Dream” speech speech turned into a red background with the tree in black, which slowly turned into a stunning 8K display, taking the crowd down a deserted road while the Edge strum the opening notes of “Where the Streets Have No Name,” and started the tribute to the album that the tour is named after.

At times, the screen seemed almost too beautiful, as if the four artists could have played to the side and the show would have been no better or worse. Nevertheless, the band blazed through the set with ease, only stopping for a quick joke or a tribute to those who are no longer with us, including young Boston Marathon victim Martin Richards, whose parents were in attendance, Bono said before starting "One Tree Hill."

The post-Joshua Tree songs, a six-song set, started with a video of a 15-year-old Syrian speaking of her desire to go to America because that is where she can be happy. As Miss Sarajevo played and footage of worn-torn Syria played behind U2, the crowd passed a giant banner of the girl's photo in the lower bowl from the stage to the lighthouse entrance. It was one of the many moments where Bono implored something bigger than a rock concert. "Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" was a tribute to the great women of the world, with a montage of pictures that included Rosa Parks, Angela Merkel, Ellen DeGeneres, Patti Smith, and Michelle Obama.

But if you go to a U2 show you know that Bono is going to get on his soapbox. Being surprised and upset at that is like being shocked at a fight at a hockey game. Overall the crowd was receptive to the lead singer's famous activism, but one might wonder what the reaction might be in a more conservative area.

With the night ending, the crowd showed energy for Beautiful Day, Elevation, and Vertigo before the band went into One and advocated for the ONE campaign. Prior to One, Bono’s listing of AIDS advocates that included Matt Damon and former Secretary of State John Kerry served as a reminder while some things have made large leaps since the release of their groundbreaking album, work on some causes is far from complete.

The night ended with “The Little Things That Give You Away,” a song that has yet to be release and a quieter end to the night that one would expect than most rock concerts.

The Lumineers provided support as the opening act.

Cover Images Courtesy of Gillette Stadium | David Silverman