Fans react as U2 kick off Australian leg of The Joshua Tree Tour 2019 in Brisbane

U2 have kicked off the Australian leg of The Joshua Tree Tour 2019 in suitably epic fashion – treating fans in Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium to an explosive show on Tuesday, November 12.

Following two acclaimed gigs in Auckland in recent days, expectations were high as the band headed for Australia. Reporting for Hot Press, Reuben Raj described U2's first New Zealand set as "a show that the whole world should see."

Auckland. What a night. #U2 #TheJoshuaTreeTour2019 #Auckland #mtsmartstadium pic.twitter.com/x0bHU7uONu

— U2 (@U2) November 8, 2019

As in Auckland, Noel Gallagher appeared as the special guest before U2 took to the stage. The ex-Oasis star was up to his usual tricks during the set – playfully insulting both his host city and Australian rugby.

“What’s going on in Brisbane apart from fuck all” - noel Gallagher at the show tonight

— Eliza&TheDelusionals (@eandthed) November 12, 2019

Bloody @NoelGallagher amazing smashing out a few classic. pic.twitter.com/SprJfj1yMY

— David Mccullough (@dmac81) November 12, 2019

Once again, U2 kicked off proceedings with their War classic 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'.

And off we go! Sunday Bloody Sunday kicks things off in the second city that's hit by the #TheJoshuaTreeTour2019. Enjoy Brisbane!

📸 credit: our own webmaster Remy! pic.twitter.com/sVDAfdwehM

— U2start.com (@U2start) November 12, 2019

During 'Bad', Bono paid tribute to Australian rock band Midnight Oil – singing lyrics from their 1987 classic 'Beds Are Burning', and dedicating the track to the firefighters currently battling the bushfire devastation in Queensland and New South Wales.

U2 verdict- they delivered an amazing sound and light show tonight. Even though Bono goes on a bit he knows how to please a crowd. They even slotted Beds are Burning into Bad and dedicated it to the firefighters. pic.twitter.com/9b6OztpJF6

— DermotG (@GreeneDermot67) November 12, 2019

Before performing 'One', which was dedicated to the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack during U2's Auckland shows, Bono spoke out about the need to collectively tackle climate change.

#U2Brisbane

Inspiring & uplifting.#ClimateChange #Bushfires

“Sea levels rise... your country burns”

“We can put these fires out if we act as ONE” pic.twitter.com/FQLF53yPZo

— Dr Kat McLean (@drkatmclean) November 12, 2019

'Ultraviolet (Light My Way)' once again saw the band pay tribute to several female trailblazers. A number of notable Australian women featured for the first time, including feminist Merle Thornton, actress and marriage equality activist Magdalene M. Szubanski and  indigenous athlete and politician Nova Peris.

I was not emotionally ready for #Ultraviolet It kills me every single time.#U2 #Brisbane #U2TheJoshuaTree2019

— Jacopo D'Ipolito (@JakDip) November 12, 2019

#U2 #thejoshuatreetour2019 #brisbane #suncorpstadium Not sure how many people would have known about all the women pictured ... a great tribute! pic.twitter.com/y9up6q5JD9

— Poppy Masselos (@poppymasselos) November 12, 2019

U2 were clearly in flying form – and took some time out to playfully tease Irish people's claims to have invented everything.

Bono: "let me tell you something about us Irish... we sorta think we invented everything, like boats and country music and stuff. Did we invent country music Larry?"

Larry, very deadpan: "no Bono, we did not."#U2JT19 #U2Brisbane

— U2gigs (@u2gigs) November 12, 2019

The gig also saw the Australian live debuts of The Joshua Tree's 'Red Hill Mining Town', 'Trip Through Your Wires' and 'Mothers Of The Disappeared'.

While reactions to U2's performance were overwhelming positive online, a few members of the audience noted sound issues during the set.

Dear Bono and U2 - With respect whoever did the sound in Brisbane fucked up big time. We can’t understand a word you are saying. Too much reverb. Great concert all the same. Thx #u2joshuatreetour2019 pic.twitter.com/ILOLRGtctb

— Sally-ann (@SallyannMoffat) November 12, 2019

Attended @U2 tonight in Brisbane. Been to 5 of 6 concerts over the years and it has an amazing video screen but audio was worst I've ever been to. Any other bands and I would have left.

SO disappointed! #u2BNE pic.twitter.com/xfhLT3yMZ0

— Brian W Reaves (@brianWreaves) November 12, 2019

See the full setlist, and more fan reactions, below:

Set list chart after the U2 Joshua Tree 2019 show in Brisbane #U2Brisbane #TheJoshuaTreeTour2019 #setlistgeek #U2TheJoshuaTree2019 @u2gigs pic.twitter.com/z5FOtEujoY

— Mark Peterborough (@markpeterboro) November 12, 2019

Powerful performance of Bullet The Blue Sky!#U2 #U2Brisbane #TheJoshuaTreeTour2019
(photo by Alexandra for https://t.co/yHKJAQVu0w) https://t.co/seiqF9Lciq pic.twitter.com/VaWJVIidXv

— U2tour (@U2tour) November 12, 2019

Video of the Australian flag during One by our friend @goalissoul 😍👏 #TheJoshuaTreeTour2019 pic.twitter.com/0rVxIr6EGE

— U2start.com (@U2start) November 12, 2019

The audience takes over at One#U2 #U2Brisbane #TheJoshuaTreeTour2019
(photo by Alexandra for https://t.co/yHKJAQVu0w) https://t.co/OyOql4rN5l pic.twitter.com/RUgDbW76zq

— U2tour (@U2tour) November 12, 2019

You love this town..#U2 #TheJoshuaTreeTour2019 #U2Brisbane #SuncorpStadium pic.twitter.com/G6G4gnxUMl

— popmartian (@u2tourmartian) November 12, 2019

And so it begins.....#TheJoshuaTreeTour2019 pic.twitter.com/NJmsODiFdp

— GreenGirl (@smbergquist) November 12, 2019