U2's Kiwi fans were treated to a captivating and moving performance on Friday night, November 8, as the band began their Joshua Tree Tour 2019 at Auckland's Mt. Smart Stadium.

Emotions were high even in the days leading up to the concert. During the week, U2 were spotted at the memorial to their late friend and roadie, Greg Carroll on One Tree Hill – a volcanic peak in Auckland that inspired the song of the same name on The Joshua Tree, in tribute to their Kiwi friend. Carroll was killed in Dublin in 1986, aged 26, following a motorcycle accident.

#WATCH: U2 spotted paying tribute to beloved friend and Kiwi roadie Greg Carroll in Auckland https://t.co/1NzdpBSmgT pic.twitter.com/T3avMKovTG

— Newshub (@NewshubNZ) November 5, 2019

Special guest Noel Gallagher kicked off proceedings on the night, with a support set that saw the former Oasis star taunting the All Blacks following their recent defeat to England in the Rugby World Cup.

In typical tongue-in-cheek form, Gallagher dedicated Oasis mega-hit 'Don't Look Back in Anger' to the New Zealand rugby team.

U2 in Auckland: 'Don't look back in anger' - Noel Gallagher taunts All Blacks fans https://t.co/k30Zk4LdmK pic.twitter.com/l5lXVC1xgZ

— Stuff (@NZStuff) November 8, 2019

Shortly after 8pm, the headliners took to the stage, with a setlist that saw fan favourites off the iconic Joshua Tree album playing live for the first time in two years. U2 began the set with War classic 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'.

U2 have taken the stage in Auckland for the first night of #U2JT19. The Waterboys' Whole of the Moon was their intro song, as it was in 2017. They have now begun playing:

1. Sunday Bloody Sunday#U2Auckland

— U2gigs (@u2gigs) November 8, 2019

Before performing 'One Tree Hill', Bono spoke to the crowd about his memories of Greg Carroll – with a stunning projection of his late friend appearing on screen.

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

— U2 (@U2) November 8, 2019

Other moving moments included Bono's words of sympathy to the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack earlier this year. A number of survivors were in attendance, while the names of the victims were displayed on screen as U2 performed 'One'.

Oh my goodness. What a moving tribute. #One playing as the names of the victims of the Christchurch terror attack are shown. @u2 #joshuatreetour2019 pic.twitter.com/tFnM2HClOd

— Michael Bain (@mikejbain) November 8, 2019

One ends with the refrain of "no them, there's only us" from Invisible. Bono also improvised some lyrics before Edge's solo about "one church smashed into a thousand pieces". #U2JT19 #U2Auckland

— U2gigs (@u2gigs) November 8, 2019

The performance of 'Ultraviolet (Light My Way)' also saw U2 pay tribute to several female trailblazers, including environmental activist Greta Thunberg, gun control advocate Emma González and leader of the New Zealand women's suffrage movement, Kate Sheppard.

Cannot believe it took this bloody long for U2 to include Kate Sheppard in the "herstory" visuals, but at least it finally happened in New Zealand. #U2JT19 #U2Auckland

— U2gigs (@u2gigs) November 8, 2019

See the full setlist, and more reactions from fans, below:

That was it! A very nice gig to start the tour, The Edge was particularly on fire tonight and they all seemed to have fun onstage. A couple of surprises and songs not present in 2017, new visuals and powerful speeches by Bono. What else!?

Stick around for the post show chat 🙂 pic.twitter.com/4cUD7s0OyG

— U2start.com (@U2start) November 8, 2019

#U2Auckland was epic, moving, politically symbolic and in the moment, celebrating leading women and remember those who lost their life in #chch in March. pic.twitter.com/aKIy85rOkK

— Justin Flitter (@JustinFlitter) November 8, 2019

Thank you U2 for rocking Auckland again. EPIC once again #U2Auckland pic.twitter.com/N8CJWi8pGd

— Caprice Stevenson (@capricest) November 8, 2019

@U2 performed an incredible show tonight. For once in my life I’m speechless. #U2Auckland #U2TheJoshuaTreeTour2019 pic.twitter.com/93pqYe00SD

— Sarah Burroughs (@SarahBurroughs) November 8, 2019

It's a Beautiful Day in New Zealand, isn't it? 😍 #TheJoshuaTreeTour2019 pic.twitter.com/qIk8dUCJdS

— U2start.com (@U2start) November 8, 2019

#TheJoshuaTreeTour2019 #U2Auckland

📹: @nzubok pic.twitter.com/r4AMv9bfkm

— U2 Brasil (@u2br) November 8, 2019