Monocled Alchemist

Published in Sounds, 2nd January 1982

U2 | Gig Review | Lyceum, London 1981 | WHAT can I say? That U2 were an experience that defies the written word? That the atmosphere was one of sheer jubilation? Or maybe just that if you missed them live, you missed one of the most joyous and inspiring events of the year.

Imagine the Lyceum transformed into a hall of celebration, where U2’s followers could gather to pay tribute to the band they know should have been much, much bigger in 1981.

We were overwhelmed by their music and lifted by their feeling, and the world outside seemed a million miles away as we were carried into a land of passion and beauty. U2 are striving for, and almost reaching, perfection.

The audience had expected something special and what they got was an evening to treasure, an evening of such emotion that only those with no heart or soul could have failed to be moved.

U2 | Gig Review | Lyceum, London 1981

We danced, waved and smiled, and Bono smiled back. At times he looked surprisingly like Rod Stewart, especially in profile, but unlike Stewart, his humanity shines through.

It was obvious that he just couldn’t quite believe the reaction — he looked out with awe at the seething mass of people — but he responded magnificently, rising to the occasion with the ease of one who believes implicitly in what he is doing.

The band opened with ‘Gloria’, a hymn-like song performed with such intensity that I wondered if Bono’s voice would be able to take the strain if he carried on with such force throughout the set.

There was no problem however, for although the vocals became huskier, the power and purity were still there, soaring above the haunting, sliding guitar which provided the ideal backing.

U2 | Gig Review | Lyceum, London 1981

U2 played all the songs I love best. ‘Another Time Another Place’, ‘Out Of Control’, ‘I Will Follow’ and ‘I Fall Dawn’ and so many more, played with warmth and feeling, and for one fan at the front it was all too much. He clambered onto the stage to embrace Bono, who grabbed his hand, danced a little jig, then walked him off to the wings before a bouncer could eject him more forcibly.

This sounds a bit of a non-event in print, but if you could have been there and seen the expression of pure delight on the faces of the crowd you’d understand how important an unselfconscious act like that was to them. It confirmed their trust in him.

I hope I’ve conveyed even a fraction of U2’s strength and brilliance because, it’s hard to analyse and almost impossible to describe. “What can / say but thank you,” murmured Bono, lost for words after a particularly rapturous response. I know exactly how he felt, because I felt the same way about them. (Karen Swayne)