1997 U2 concert in Sarajevo
| Concert by U2 | |
Sarajevo concert poster
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| Location | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|---|---|
| Venue | Koševo Stadium |
| Tour | PopMart Tour |
| Associated album | Pop |
| Date(s) | 23 September 1997 |
| Supporting act(s) | Gazi Husrev-Beg choir, Protest, Sikter, Howie B |
| Attendance | 45,000 |
| U2 concert chronology | |
On 23 September 1997, the Irish rock band U2 held a concert at Koševo Stadium in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of the group's PopMart Tour. They were the first major artist to hold a concert in the city after the end of the Bosnian War. Approximately 45,000 fans attended the show.
The band first became involved with Sarajevo in 1993 on their Zoo TV Tour; approached by aid worker Bill Carter about bringing attention to the Siege of Sarajevo, the band conducted nightly satellite transmissions with Bosnians during their shows. These link-ups were the subject of criticism from journalists for mixing entertainment with human tragedy. Although the war made it impractical for U2 to visit Sarajevo at the time, they vowed to eventually play a concert in the city. After the conflict ended in November 1995, they made arrangements to visit Sarajevo, and with help from United Nations ambassadors and peacekeeping troops, they scheduled and played the concert in 1997.
The band offered to hold a benefit concert or small show in Sarajevo, but it was requested that they stage a full PopMart concert. The performance consequently featured the tour's extravagant stage, and the band played a set list typical of the tour. The show brought together people of different ethnicities who had previously clashed during the war, and train service was temporarily resumed to allow concertgoers to attend. Among the songs played was "Miss Sarajevo", written by U2 and Brian Eno about a beauty pageant held during the war. Although the band were displeased with their performance and lead vocalist Bono had vocal difficulties, the concert was well received and was credited with improving morale among Bosnians. The members of U2 consider the show to be among their proudest moments. The concert was lauded by Bosnians.
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