Well the Beatles had graced this stage in the late 60's and more recently Duffy,Pete Docherty and The Klaxons had played at the Ritz. But Friday it was Rattle and Hum's time.........The band were performing at Rock radio's first birthday and the boys had been booked along with three other great bands Fink Ployd, The rollin' Clones and Limehouse lizzy.

The boys arrived with Adam's old school pal Andrew who had been roped in as Roadie, PA to the band and photographer for the day. During the soundchesk a lot of good new friends were made with the other bands who were all looking forward to the event.

Pete the Stage Manager commented on how well the band were sounding which gave them great confidence for the impending performance.

By 6.00PM a long queue was forming outside the venue and Tickets touts were selling tickets for 30% above face value......WOW that was the icing on the cake ticket touts at a Rattle and Hum gig

So at 7.00PM Fink Ployd took to the stage they warmed the crowd up nicely with some great Pink Floyd tunes. At 7.45PM a frantic change over was made and Rock radio's afternoon presenter Mike announced Rattle and Hum on to the stage.

The boys took to the stage to Arcade Fires Wake up and went straight in to vertigo from the word go Bono had the 2200 capacity crowd in his hand he was loving it and they were loving him and the band. Beautiful day followed and then Adam broke in to New years day Bono commented his bass never sounded so good.

By the time the band played I still haven't found and Desire the crowd were dancing and singing along the band were on fire Eddie and Adam providing a thunderous back line sound to layer The Edges guitar over it was an amazing sound. Bono's vocals and stage craft were the icing on the cake.

It was probably one of if not the best performance the band had done they really do come over well on a big stage.

The set continued wit hall u2's hits and the last number With or without you was greeted with thunderous cheers from the crowd. The band did a double encore I will follow was not planned on the original set, The Edges guitar ringing around the arena sounded awesome over fast eddies driving thunderous drums. The band left after playing a stonking version of Sunday bloody sunday Bono milking the crowd with Bob Marley in the middle.

The boys left the stage on a massive high and were followed by great sets from The rollin clones and limehouse Lizzy.

Band of the night must surely have been Rattle and Hum and man of the day was undoubtly Bono for his crowd management skills alone he was fantastic.

A massive thanks to Mr Andrew Jackson for all the help and support on the day the pics he took were fantastic and you can check them out on here
some great crowd shots too as the band were performing.

Thanks to rock radio for booking us, all the sound techi's and road crew and of course Pete the stage manager you were all fantastic to work with. Special mention to the guys and lady in Fink Ployd you were awesome and a great bunch of people too good luck to you in the future.

So just over a week until the next gigs the band are performing at tThe Edges friends wedding then on bank Holiday Sunday the band will perfrom outside on a roof top in Burnley on May bank Holiday Sunday......Looking forward to that should be a Sort of homecoming.....

Check out the pics and set list below.

Its nights like last friday that the band just love being in a band four great mates Bono, Adam, The Edge and Fast Eddie four mates having fun.....Its a great buzz The Edge commented.

Set List ? The Monsters of Mock ?The Ritz? Manchester May 9th 2009

1. Vertigo
2. Beautiful Day
3. New Years Day
4. Still haven't found
5. Desire
6. Streets
7. Pride ? 105
8. With or Without You

1. I will Follow
2.Sunday Bloody Sunday