October Tour
Encyclopedia
The October Tour was a concert tour by Irish
rock
band U2
that took place in 1981 and 1982 to support the band's second studio album, October
, which was released in October 1981
.
and two in North America
. The first leg began in Ireland
in the August of 1980 and ended in Berlin
at the start of November, in total, 33 concerts were held. Soon after the first European leg, U2 travelled to North America to play 23 shows over the course of a month. Another European leg was held between December 1981 and February 1982 before heading back to the USA
to fulfill the longest leg of the tour. The fourth leg ran from February through to April and was made up of 32 shows, considerably less than the European and American legs of the Boy tour
. After a short break, the tour finished with a final 9 shows in Europe.
being played. Songs such as "Rejoice", "Another Time, Another Place", "With a Shout (Jerusalem)", and "Fire
" were dropped from the setlist towards the end of the tour. "Gloria
" was used as the opener at almost every show, whilst "The Ocean" (used as the opener for the previous tour) was played predominately as the closing song.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
that took place in 1981 and 1982 to support the band's second studio album, October
October (album)
October is the second album by Irish rock band U2, released in 1981. The album featured spiritual themes, inspired by Bono, The Edge, and Larry Mullen, Jr.'s memberships in a Christian group called the "Shalom Fellowship", which led them to question the relationship between the Christian faith and...
, which was released in October 1981
1981 in music
See also:* Timeline of musical eventsThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1981.-January–April:*January 10 – A revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance opens at Broadway's Uris Theatre, starring Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith.*January 24 –...
.
Itinerary
The tour followed a similar pattern to the previous tour and consisted of five legs, three in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and two in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. The first leg began in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in the August of 1980 and ended in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
at the start of November, in total, 33 concerts were held. Soon after the first European leg, U2 travelled to North America to play 23 shows over the course of a month. Another European leg was held between December 1981 and February 1982 before heading back to the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to fulfill the longest leg of the tour. The fourth leg ran from February through to April and was made up of 32 shows, considerably less than the European and American legs of the Boy tour
Boy Tour
The Boy Tour was a concert tour by Irish rock band U2 that took place in 1980 and 1981 to support the band's first studio album, Boy, which was released in October 1980.-Itinerary:...
. After a short break, the tour finished with a final 9 shows in Europe.
Setlist
The setlist varied each night throughout the tour, with eight songs from October and ten from BoyBoy (album)
Boy is the debut album from Irish rock band U2, released October 20, 1980. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, the album received generally positive reviews. Common themes among the album's songs are the thoughts and frustrations of adolescence. The album included the band's first United Kingdom hit...
being played. Songs such as "Rejoice", "Another Time, Another Place", "With a Shout (Jerusalem)", and "Fire
Fire (U2 song)
"Fire" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the fifth track on the band's 1981 album, October, and was released that year as the album's first single.-History:...
" were dropped from the setlist towards the end of the tour. "Gloria
Gloria (U2 song)
"Gloria" is a song by U2. It is the opening track and second single from the band's 1981 album, October.It features a chorus in Latin, from the liturgical "Gloria in Excelsis Deo." It was one of their lowest-charting singles, peaking at #55 on the UK singles chart.-Composition:"Gloria" highlights...
" was used as the opener at almost every show, whilst "The Ocean" (used as the opener for the previous tour) was played predominately as the closing song.