U2 took to the stage for the second night of their iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE tour at Belfast's 11,000-capactiy SSE Arena on Thursday evening.
The band played their first gig in the city since 1997 on Wednesday night to almost universal acclaim and the set included a moving tribute to the people of Paris following last week's attacks on the French capital.
On the opening night, U2 encored with a shimmering rendition of City of Blinding Lights for the French 'City of Light' and during Wednesday's sold-out gig, Bono drew parallels between the attacks on Paris and Belfast's own history of withstanding terrorism and violence.
Addressing the sold-out venue he also thanked fans for their loyalty. "You are heroes to us. Thank you for your patience and thanks for sticking with us," he said. "It's great to be back in the heart of Belfast - looking handsome city.
U2 have played Belfast on nine occasions since they got together in their formation in 1976 and their last concert in the city took place in 1997 at the Botanic Gardens.
Read TEN's review of the gig here
Click on the video links above to watch TEN''s report from Wednesday's show.
Fans took to Twitter in their droves to comment on the concert with one gig-goer saying "Bono still has it".
I knew the end of raised by wolves would get a special treatment on the screen tonight. Very powerful! #U2ieTour #U2ieBelfast @U2Community
— Harry Kantas (@harrykantas) November 18, 2015
U2 sing Sunday Blood Sunday in Belfast #U2belfast pic.twitter.com/bmoLXWPTUe
— Emma Jane Hade (@emmajhade) November 18, 2015
Now, how does he do that? #Bono goes back to the street he grew up in Dublin #U2 #Belfast pic.twitter.com/O1lxgAlJGH
— Nigel Gould (@gould_nigel) November 18, 2015
Barely 3 songs in and the emotional level is through the roof! #U2ieTour #WhiteOutBelfast #strongerthanfear
— Kitty (@ClaytonsKitten) November 18, 2015
... And they're off!! #U2ieTour pic.twitter.com/zRlcbJVH6A
— LHP (@LHPublicity) November 18, 2015
Bono's emotional, cracking voice on the last "I get so many things I don't deserve" was jaw-dropping #U2ieTour
— atu2.com - Sherry (@atu2comSherry) November 18, 2015
To Belfast: You are heroes to us! -Bono #U2ieTour
— Tim Neufeld (@timneufeld) November 18, 2015
.@BelTel @BelTel_Ent Bono has entered the building. #U2ieTour pic.twitter.com/UOFJvz34u2
— Andrew Johnston (@ajwildwords) November 18, 2015
U2's long-time photographer Anton Corbijn told TEN that the current shows are the best in the band's history.
"The shows are amazing; I think they're the best shows they've ever done," he told TEN.
When asked why he felt that way about the current gigs in particular, Corbijn replied: "The last tour [the record-breaking 360° trek outdoors] was quite [too] big for me. I felt they lost a bit of the emotional connection. And now, you're so 'in' there when you go and see them. It's amazing."
U2 play Dublin's 3Arena on November 23, 24, 27 and 28.
And they're on #U2ieTour pic.twitter.com/yjnllhY5hq
— Lisa Pereira (@lisa_pereira) November 18, 2015
Nearly time #U2ieTour #Belfast #U2 @U2 pic.twitter.com/kRLTbMlLhh
— Anne Mc Coy (@annemccoy) November 18, 2015
Both U2's Dublin and Belfast gigs sold out, with 40,000 tickets for the Dublin dates selling out in 35 minutes and 17,000 tickets for the Belfast dates snapped up within hours of going on sale.
Tonight in Belfast, @U2 at the @SSEBelfastArena. @u2gigs #U2ieTour #WhiteOutBelfast #U2Belfast pic.twitter.com/w0u5uKMXxD
— OLIVER (@stolencardriver) November 18, 2015
It's almost time for #U2 to take to the @SSEBelfastArena. Are you ready to rock out? You will be after watching this https://t.co/N0ggbcAaI0
— RTÉ TEN (@RTE_TEN) November 18, 2015
