U2, Dec. 31, 1989, Dublin (the Point)

Thanks to the chart-topping albums "The Joshua Tree" and "Rattle and Hum," U2 had spent the previous two years as the undisputed kings of rock, and a four-night hometown stint at Dublin's the Point at the tail end of 1989 put an important endcap on the band's first decade. The Dec. 31 gig was broadcast live on radio throughout Europe, leading it to become one of the most widely accessed bootlegs in U2 history.

Despite lacking the surprises of the prior three nights (an improvised "One Tree Hill," the first "Two Hearts Beat As One" in four-and-half years and frontman Bono's famous "It's no big deal, it's just -- We have to go away and ... and dream it up again" spiel on Dec. 30), the New Year's concert was ultimately released as a digital download in 2004, titled "U2 Love: Live from the Point Depot."

The 21-song set began with U2 appearing beneath a shower of confetti to sing the end of "Auld Lang Syne," which Irish DJ Dave Fanning was playing as the foursome walked onstage. Classic U2 tracks followed, such as "Where the Streets Have No Name," "Pride (In the Name of Love)," "Gloria," "I Will Follow," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and of course, "New Year's Day," as well as covers and/or snippets of songs popularized by Bob Dylan ("All Along The Watchtower" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'") and Bob Marley ("Exodus").

Bono played off the idea of any future disappearing acts by the band, saying the night before, "I was explaining to people the other night, but I might've got it a bit wrong - this is just the end of something for U2. And that's why we're playing these concerts -- and we're throwing a party for ourselves and you."

True to his word, U2 vanished from the spotlight for almost two years, eventually hunkering down in Berlin to record "Achtung Baby" with producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. The album was a commercial and artistic triumph, providing the fuel for another decade of rock domination.