Doll By Doll / U-2 – London, The Venue

Contemporary review of the concert of 18.12.1979 at the Venue in London, at which U2, then barely known in England, played in support. Westwood despises the club (table service, fruit machines, polite applause as in variety theatre). He describes U2 very positively: Bono as a uniquely expressive frontman, the witty line from the first “Cabaret” appearance, a band that has mastered dynamics. Doll by Doll are harder to explain; they played twelve songs, including “The Fountain Is Red”, “An Honest Woman”, “Hell Games” and “Palace of Love”, a restrained, good-humoured set that Westwood experiences as a quiet vindication. Tone: hymnic for both bands. Photo caption: Jackie Leven and Tony Waite.