Tonight on Live From The Vault: U2’s Under a Blood Red Sky – The Moment That Cemented U2 as a Live Powerhouse

Every Saturday night at 9 PM EST, Live From The Vault on Live Jam delivers a journey through the most iconic live albums ever recorded. This week, the show spotlights #17 on Variety Magazine’s Top 50 Live Albums of All Time: U2’s 1983 live mini-album, Under a Blood Red Sky. Capturing the raw energy and passion of the Irish rockers during their War Tour, this release solidified U2’s reputation as one of the most compelling live acts in rock history.

Released on November 21, 1983, Under a Blood Red Sky compiles eight tracks recorded across three separate concerts, blending songs from U2’s early albums Boy, October, and War. The performances came from:

• Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO – June 5, 1983

• Freilichtbühne Loreley, St. Goarshausen, Germany – August 20, 1983

• Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA – May 6, 1983

The mini-album captures the band’s live precision, but it’s the Red Rocks Amphitheatre performance that became legendary. Despite pouring rain and thick fog, U2 chose to perform, turning the weather into a dramatic backdrop that amplified the concert’s intensity. The companion video, U2 Live at Red Rocks: Under a Blood Red Sky, captured this iconic night, with two tracks from Red Rocks appearing on the mini-album itself. MTV heavily promoted the footage, propelling the band onto the global stage and showcasing their electrifying live presence.

The Red Rocks performance is remembered for moments of pure rock theater, especially Bono’s electrifying rendition of “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, flag in hand, charging the stage with political and emotional urgency. That image of Bono amid the rain, fog, and illuminated rock formations has become synonymous with U2’s early commitment to combining music with a message and performing with unyielding intensity. The concert not only elevated U2’s reputation as live performers but also marked a turning point in their journey from a promising post-punk band to international rock stardom.

In 2023, U2 celebrated the 40th anniversary of Under a Blood Red Sky with a newly remastered release on 180g red vinyl, featuring fresh photos and liner notes, ensuring that the magic of these performances continues to reach both longtime fans and new generations.

Tune in tonight at 9 PM EST to Live From The Vault on Live Jam, where every song you hear is the live version, and experience U2 as they captivated audiences around the world with raw passion, unforgettable visuals, and stagecraft that changed the trajectory of their career. Feel the intensity of Red Rocks and the spirit of a band truly alive in the moment.

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