U2 have a lot to thank German reunification for, not least that it inspired One and saved the arse of the battling Actung Baby album. Now on the eve of 20 years since the Berlin Wall came down, they have another reason; the opportunity to play beneath a stunningly-lit Brandenburg Gate to a massive crowd so elated not even Bono could irritate them.

MTV had precisely squat to do with the whole reunification process, so it was a bit cheap that they were the sponsor of this gig, crafted for a TV audience and thus cut drastically short of what everyone on the ground was begging for. No sour grapes here though, it was a short sharp spectacular with amazing power. Those who catch MTV’s European Music Awards broadcast will see the first half of the set, including an appearance by Jay-Z in Sunday Bloody Sunday. When the cameras switched off U2 continued with Beautiful Day, Vertigo and Moment of Surrender to make all the effort worthwhile.

The way the Gate and its environs were lit throughout was amazing, particularly in the opening One which came with a projection display tailored especially for Berlin’s “birthday”, as Bono put it. The sound was less dazzling, without quite enough guts to carry the great Unter den Linden and cover all those who’d come out for the mad Irishmen.

Still, not a bad reward for suffering through the wet and cold of Berlin in November. This country has much to celebrate.