U2: Previously unseen photo diary

1980: U2's first show in Portugal proves Bono came up with the Riverdance concept first Photograph: Pedro Costa/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

Dublin, 1991: If you were wearing The Edge's coat, you'd be blinking too! Photograph: U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

2005: Bono meets Santa onstage in Boston (he asked for some more shades) Photograph: U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1981: They have their own unique security code words in Cleveland Photograph: U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

2004: Bono launches the ONE campaign in Philadelphia Photograph: MaryLinn Maione/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

2005: Bono and Adam Clayton compete to pull rock shapes in Boston Photograph: Phil Romans/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1990: Bowie and Bono onstage Cleveland. We're not saying anything about that hair Photograph: U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

France, 1997: The smoke machines go into overdrive as the PopMart concert hits Montpelier Photograph: Xavi Balart/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

2005: The Edge gets arty at an exhibition by band photographer Anton Corbijn Photograph: Daniel Boud/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

2005: Bono and Mary J Blige reach for the sky in Las Vegas Photograph: Roman Gokhmann/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

Berlin, 2005: Bono doesn't let a massive rock concert get in the way of changing his footwear Photograph: Eva Vandervelk/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

Bono's handprints at the Fox Baja Studios, Mexico Photograph: Jennifer Gokhmann/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1977: U2's first fee-paying show. Almost certainly the last time you could see U2 for 50p Photograph: U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1981: A concert at Slane Castle near Dublin. We presume it's a concert, anyway, as we can't actually see the crowd Photograph: Sean O'Connor/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

2005: The Boss teaches the band a few tricks at a U2 show in Philadelphia Photograph: Rob Wanenchak/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1981: U2's early New York shows were notorious for their use of curly blond wigs Photograph: Susan Shoshinsky/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1998: This picture is taken at the video shoot for the Sweetest Thing Photograph: Sue Fell/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

2001: Bono gets lost in the moment during a gig in Portland, Oregon Photograph: Matt McGee/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1998: This time, Bono gets lost in the crowd during a PopMart gig in Melbourne Photograph: Andrew Briscoe/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1987: At their first Belfast gig for five years, the crowd were pleased to know that the band still endorsed cowboy hats Photograph: Peter Donnelly/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

2004: Bono receives an honorary degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Those shoes certainly bring a new meaning to the term 'higher education' Photograph: MaryLinn Maione/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1983: Either this Red Rocks gig was shrouded in mist, or that smoke machine was working overtime again Photograph: Greg Wigler/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

Sydney, 2006: This show was the last time Bono forgot to pack his cagoule Photograph: Daniel Boud/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1981: Bono goes paddling with fans in New Jersey Photograph: Susan Shoshinsky/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1981: This time, Bono goes for a waltz with a fan in New York Photograph: Susan Shoshinsky/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

1998: More madness from the Sweetest Thing video shoot. Either that, or this is what happens when the U2 tour bus breaks down Photograph: Sue Fell/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee

Honolulu, Hawaii, 2006: Bono employs Eddie Vedder so he can concentrate on important handclapping duties Photograph: Pascal Jacque/U2: A Diary by Matt McGee