As soon as their world tour had started in Vancouver, U2 declared their strong support for a 'Yes' vote in the referendum on marriage equality back home and, over the weekend, Bono took time out mid-gig to express his happiness with the overwhelmingly positive result.
During a performance of 'Pride (In The Name Of Love)' in the US Airways Arena in Phoenix, AZ, on Saturday night, the singer said:
"This is a moment to thank the people who bring us peace. It's a moment for us to thank the people who brought peace to our country. We have peace in Ireland today! And in fact on this very day we have true equality in Ireland. Because millions turned up to vote yesterday to say Love is the highest law in the land!'"
"Love," he continued. "The biggest turn out in the history of the state, to say 'love is the highest law in the land.' Because if God loves us, whoever we love, wherever we come from, then why can’t the state?"
He then proceeded to alter the lyrics of the song, adding the word "gay" before pride so it became: "Free at last / They took your life / They could not take your gay pride".
You can find the audio here (beginning around 2.27 into the clip).
The touring continues this week – Tuesday night finds the band in the Mark Taper Forum for the first of five LA dates.