The names of the 51 people killed in the Christchurch mosque shootings were reflected on the screen while the Irish band played One. Photo / Supplied
The names of the 51 people killed in the Christchurch mosque shootings were reflected on the screen while the Irish band played One. Photo / Supplied
Irish rock band U2 have remembered the 51 people killed in the Christchurch mosque shootings at the first of two massive Auckland gigs.
The rockers are in New Zealand for the opening nights of their Joshua Tree Tour, named after their famous 1987 album of the same name.
Closing the night with their 1991 track One, the names of those killed on March 15 were displayed on the massive screen running the length of the stage.
U2 band member Bono performs as part of the Joshua Tree Tour. Photo / Greg Bowker Visuals
The touching display was just one of many emotive moments from U2's first New Zealand gig in nine years.
Earlier in the night, frontman Bono paid an emotional tribute to his former Kiwi roadie Greg Carroll.
U2's 1991 track One played while the names of the Christchurch mosque attack victims were displayed. Photo / Supplied
Carroll died in a motorcycle accident in 1986, having befriended Bono two years prior and subsequently toured with the Irish rock group.
And it was Bono's rendition of One Tree Hill, written after Carroll's death, that had the biggest impact of the night for the 40,000-plus strong crowd.
"We sort of adopted [Carroll], or perhaps it was the other way round," Bono said.
The pre-show publicity for The Joshua Tree Tour boasted about it having the largest high-res LED video screen ever used in a touring show. I think that's a fair boast - the visuals are something to behold.
Seeing it up close, thanks to some media privilege, really makes you appreciate how much effort goes into staging such a monumental performance.
And while the theatrics of this tour don't quite match U2's last visit to Auckland (I mean, come on, that tour had a massive claw stage), the visuals of The Joshua Tree are vibrant, crystal clear and incredible to witness.
It was so good that the lady in front of me had to FaceTime it all to a loved one. I'm sure he had a party in his living room.
Earlier in the night, former Oasis vocalist Noel Gallagher opened with his group the High Flying Birds.
Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds perform in Mt Smart Stadium. Photo / Greg Bowker Visuals
Illness reportedly prevented Gallagher from appearing on TV3's The Project on Thursday, but the English rocker showed no sign of anything holding him back.
Gallagher delved into Oasis' catalogue of hits - despite the ongoing feud with brother Liam - warming up the crowd for U2.
Finishing with a cover of The Beatles' All You Need Is Love felt a bit ironic, though. Send Liam a message, Noel! We want an Oasis reunion!
Regardless, for those unlucky enough to miss last night's incredible performance, U2 - alongside Noel Gallagher - are back to do it all again tonight.
With final tickets remaining, this is a night you won't want to miss.
Friday night's set list
U2 perform at Mt Smart Stadium. Photo / Greg Bowker Visuals
Intro - The Whole of the Moon Sunday Bloody Sunday New Year's Day Bad Pride 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 Angel of Harlem Elevation Vertigo Even Better Than the Real Thing Every Breaking Wave Beautiful Day Ultra Violet (Light My Way) Love is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way One
