30.06.2009 23:58
Camp Nou rocks to U2
www.fcbarcelona.cat
On Tuesday, some 90,000 people turned up to the Camp Nou for the first stop in the 'U2 360º Tour'. Among the concert goers was Barça coach Josep Guardiola, who was introduced to Bono at the Irish singer’s own request.
The U2 concert began just after 10 pm after Snow Patrol – also Irish – had opened the
show. They started their two-hour set with 'Breathe', a track from their latest album.
Guardiola and Bono
Before the concert, Josep Guardiola and Bono had a short meeting in the singer’s
dressing room. Guardiola was accompanied by his friend and filmmaker David Trueba and presented
Bono with a Barça shirt.
Once on
stage, Bono told the fans: “U2 has a new friend now. His name is Pep and he has personally
given me a Barça shirt”. At that point he turned around to show he was wearing the Barça
shirt with his name and the number 1 – a moment that was greeted with thunderous applause.
The link with UNICEF
Bono also referred to the work being done by the Club in collaboration with UNICEF: “FC
Barcelona is the only football club in the world that wears UNICEF on their shirts”.
Other Barça VIPs
A
number of other Barça personalities were present at the concert including Gerard Piqué, Rafa
Márquez, and Joan Laporta. Former Barça defender Juliano Belletti, was also among the many familiar
faces.
Old and new
The 90,000 fans were treated to a concert full of the typical U2 energy and commitment. They
played 22 songs including 7 from the 'No line on the horizon' album.
Homage to Michael Jackson
The band dedicated 'Angel of Harlem' to the King of Pop Michael Jackson. The recently
deceased star had planned to play a concert at the Camp Nou.
To
general surprise, Bono was linked up to the International Space Station and spoke to the astronauts
live via a giant video screen. One of the astronauts wore a UNICEF T-shirt and declared:
“Barcelona looks fantastic from up here in space”.