2019-12-15

DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai, India

Set List of Show:

Main Set:

"Sunday Bloody Sunday"
"I Will Follow"
"New Year's Day"
"Bad"
"Pride (In the Name of Love)"
"Where the Streets Have No Name"
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"
"With or Without You"
"Bullet the Blue Sky"
"Running to Stand Still"
"Red Hill Mining Town"
"In God's Country"
"Trip Through Your Wires"
"One Tree Hill"
"Exit"
"Mothers of the Disappeared"
"Desire"

Encore:

"Elevation"
"Vertigo"
"Even Better Than the Real Thing"
"Every Breaking Wave"
"Beautiful Day"
"Ultra Violet (Light My Way)"
"Ahimsa"
"One"

Additional Music

Pre-Recorded Intro Song: "The Whole of the Moon" - The Waterboys
Pre-Recorded Exit Song: "Never Tear Us Apart" - INXS

Snippets of Other Songs Performed by U2:

West Side Story

Show Details:

This was U2’s first ever performance in Mumbai, India, and indeed, their first appearance in India ever. It was the final show on The Joshua Tree Tour 2019 tour.

We initially shared a rumour about an additional final show on the 2019 tour, about a month before it was officially announced. On September 18, 2019, the announcement of a final show in Mumbai was announced. Behind the scenes rumours about the show suggested there was a delay in announcement, and rumours pointed towards some discussion on venue. Registration for pre-sales started immediately with the announcement. Presales were held through U2.Com (Sept. 24/25) and PhonesPE (Sept. 26-29.) General onsale for the show in Mumbai started October 1, 2019 through BookMyShow.

As part of the promotion for this show, the last show to be added to the tour, quotes were given by all band members, with Larry Mullen saying “Mumbai is the perfect city to end our JT 2019 tour. Very excited to see you there.” Adam Clayton adds, “We’re much looking forward to bringing a dash of Dublin to Mumbai, India. A country famous for its rich culture of art, music, movies, theatre, literature, food and so much more. There is a lot of excitement in the U2 camp.” The Edge commented, “We have been around the world with The Joshua Tree and we can’t think of a better place to celebrate the end of this tour. Mumbai, India, we’re coming for you, I hope you’re ready!” and Bono added a simple, “Mumbai. Lets rock the house…”

The show had originally been advertised on BookMyShow as having an opening act that would be announced later. AR Rahman was among one of the acts that was rumoured to open the show. In the end there was no opening act, and U2 took the stage early in the evening, with “The Whole of the Moon” playing around 7:40pm. Although there was no opening act there were special guests. Noel Gallagher, who opened the first half of the tour with his High Flying Birds took the stage for “Desire” singing and playing guitar. Gallagher would also return at the end of the show for “One”. Another special guest was A.R. Rahman, who joined U2 on stage to play “Ahimsa,” the recently released single that he did with the band. He was joined by his daughters. And like Noel, they stayed around for “One.” “Ahimsa” took the place that was usually filled by “Love is Bigger Than Anything in its Way” on the tour, just ahead of “One.”

“I Will Follow” held it’s usual spot after “Sunday Bloody Sunday” tonight. And it was “Desire” instead of “Angel of Harlem” tonight. The band also included a snippet of “Give Peace a Chance” during “Bad” this evening, and Bono included the “Shine like stars” lyrics he often adds to “With or Without You”, for the first time this tour, singing, “we’ll shine like stars in the Indian night…” Ahead of “Ahimsa” Bono thanked the women in the audience for their patience in putting up with men. Bono introduced the new song, “you, India, are the inspiration for this next song, which we have never played before, a song about the most powerful force in history, India’s greatest gift to the world — Ahimsa” and then welcomed AR Rahman and family to the stage.

Although many like to follow along at home, the signal didn’t get out of the stadium, and there was no internet throughout the show. There were other technical difficulties at the venue. Attendees were directed to buy pre-paid cards for purchases at the venue including merchandise and food. But many arrived to find that the cards they had purchased were never correctly activated. This lead to long line ups and difficulties making purchases at the venue.

Overall The Joshua Tree Tour received positive reviews throughout the countries that it visited. The band visited many places they’ve never been, or places they haven’t been for a long time, and were welcomed by fans. Bono’s voice was strong, the band full of energy, and seemed relaxed, having fun, and enjoying the tour.

Officially Released Tracks