In a potent clash of might, the world’s biggest band descended upon England’s grandest stadium to unveil their remarkable new tour, and Clash had total access to the best view in the house.

It looked like a spaceship had landed in the middle of Wembley Stadium, but U2’s video screen, suspended over them like an alien probe, was the latest in the band’s multi-million pound touring set, which was highly impressive, but never detracting from the performance. The circular rotating stage mean that drummer Larry Mullen Jr. would see the whole arena, while his bandmates traversed the bridges and outer stage that made up their extraordinary podium. This was their 360° tour, an experiment in absolute exposure, and it was a sensory sensation.

As Bono led the band through hits old and new, The Edge and Adam Clayton made the most of their freedom, and often ventured off stage to get closer to their public - all eighty thousand of them.

While London exploded to almost thirty years worth of anthems, Clash dashed around the side of the stage to capture what was happening.

Photos by Jesse Jenkins