Two years ago, the U2 360 tour concluded its US dates with a show at Heinz Field. That gig was captured for posterity by a fan-made concert documentary shot and curated by Tim Newell and is remembered here with some fan photographs by Mike Kurman.

The interwebs lit up this week with high-pitch rumors and speculation about a U2 tour in 2014 to accompany a new album expected later this year; while such conversation excites some fans and annoys others, there’s one thing about U2 touring on which the fan community can approach consensus.

That is, the amazing access we now have via the web to a wide collection of archival recordings, photographs, setlists, statistics, and more, this far-flung digital archive staggers for its diversity and quality.

U2 have officially made more and more audio and film recordings available, not just through official DVD and CD releases, but also through fan-club exclusive content accessible only to U2.com. The various fan sites have compiled everything from setlist databases to statistical breakdowns of song choices. These historical resources about U2’s setlist history have fed current discussions fueled by an article on the Rolling Stone website that U2 may be planning multi-night stands in multiple cities with entirely different shows to be presented each night. Unlike their peers in workhorse touring, U2 has never pursued the vigorous setlist variety that has distinguished artists such as the Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, and My Morning Jacket.

How to follow-up an epic stadium adventure like 360 and a history that includes ZooTV and Popmart certainly pushes U2 to the limits of itself in terms of touring creativity and integrity. In another news article out this week, Bono praised Mick Jagger for his wrinkles and business savvy, suggesting to us that perhaps U2 has no inclination to “pull an R.E.M” and retire soon.

Rather, U2 seems uniquely poised to be a rare breed of middle-aged rockers ready to extend their career extensively, ultimately joining an elite class of old-rage rockers that today includes folks like Dylan, the Stones, and Paul McCartney and may in another 20 years include U2.

The arguments against eternal touring usually are waged against bands that have survived massive lineup changes, lost lead singers, and have become lounge club caricatures of their former selves. U2 by contrast have stayed at the top of their game for decades with the original lineup, and with a new album imminent, show no signs of slowing down. This summer, even U2’s 80 peers the Waterboys and Big Country are on their first US tours in many years. Big Country did have to replace deceased lead singer Stuart Adamson, but they did this with Alarm lead singer Mike Peters.

Checking out Tim Newell’s YouTube channel and his collection of U2 concert videos, it’s amazing to note how far fan rockumentarians have progressed over the years. “A Night Not To Forget,” as Newell calls this online concert film, is shot in HD, uses audio and video from multiple angles and fans, and simply stuns for its ability to convey that particular moment in this band’s history for eternity. The Heinz setlist showed some late tour freedom and the inclusion of fan favorites like “Bad” and “40” that had been absent most of 360. This excellent YouTube channel freely shares the work of U2 and other bands, with no commercial incentive, only a fan’s fierce communal ethos. U2 has gracefully permitted these fan sites to share not sell our collective memories captured on film.

Take Newell’s videos, coupled with Kurman’s photographs, we fans can take a journey back two years to the last night of 360 in the US and dream about seeing U2 again as soon as next year. –Andrew William Smith, Editor

The Interference webzine staff thanks Tim Newell and Mike Kurman for sharing their work.

A Night Not To Forget: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EPmgPnSqaE&list=PLA951D9757012C016