U2 performed an ecstatically received set to 2000 fans at London's Astoria Theatre tonight.



It began with The End of The World and ended with Forty and featured highlights of almost every period in their two decade career.



Beautiful Day, the second song, gave way to a clutch of songs from All That You Can't Leave Behind including Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Elevation and New York.



At one point Bono announced that the band were 'reapplying for the job'.

'You know what the job is?' he asked his audience. 'Best band in the world' he announced to a cheer that nearly lifted the roof.



Discotheque segued into Staring at the Sun before Bono introduced the members of the band, lest anyone in the audience remained unsure.

'Larry, who gave us our first job.'

Adam, 'musical conscience' of U2, who 'used to sit next to me at school' - though not after twice being 'expelled'.

Edge, ' a scientist', 'genius' and 'Zen Presbyterian'... and suddenly the years rolled away and U2 were playing I Will Follow, followed by One and All I Want Is You.



They closed the set with Bad and, for the first time in the memories of many fans present, then played Forty as an encore, with Adam taking on guitar, Edge on bass and Larry finishing the evening alone on stage, with a final wave.



More News and Comment on the London live show on On U2.COM Soon.