Shortly before the third leg of the Elevation Tour , the September 11 attacks occurred in New York City and Washington D.C . During the band 's first show in New York City following the attacks , the band performed " Where the Streets Have No Name " , and when the stage lights illuminated the audience , the band saw tears streaming down the faces of many fans . The experience was one inspiration for the song " City of Blinding Lights " . The band paid tribute to the 9/11 victims during their performance of the song at the Super Bowl XXXVI halftime show on 3 February 2002 . The performance featured the names of the September 11 victims projected onto a large white banner behind the band , and concluded with Bono opening up his jacket to reveal the Star Spangled Banner . U2 's appearance was later ranked number 1 on '' Sports Illustrated '' s list of " Top 10 Super Bowl Halftime Shows "
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Where the Streets Have No Name