"U2 played one hour from where I lived. I begged my parents to allow me to go, but they wouldn’t let me. At that day I made a promise to myself that I would never miss out on a U2 tour again."
Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
My name is Willy Tonis, 46 years old and I’m a teacher of English and senior study advisor at a school for secondary education.
How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
Back in 1984 when I listened to the popcharts a lot finding my way into popular music I heard U2’s Pride (in the name of love) on the radio. When I saw the video clip a bit later with footage of the band playing in the ballroom mixed with footage of the Dublin docks I knew I had found my musical destination at that time.
You have seen U2 for a period of more than 30 years, can you tell us how it all started?
In the summer of ’85 U2 played a number of summer festivals, one of them in Munster, Germany. The place was an hour’s drive from where I lived. I begged my parents to allow me to go, but they wouldn’t let me. At that day I made a promise to myself that I would never miss out on a U2 tour again. In 1987 I queued for an entire night to get a ticket for the Joshua Tree Tour at Rotterdam Stadium. I went there with one of those organised bus trips. I had a mighty good day and the moment the band got on stage with the extended intro of ‘Streets’ I experienced this adrenaline thrill for the first time.
What was your favourite tour and why was that?
That’s a difficult question. I think the ZOO TV Tour was amazing, pushing technology to the limit and the band playing 8 songs of Achtung Baby in the first part of the show.
Can you list us your 3 most special shows you've been to and tell us why they are so special to you?
Most special shows in random order. Slane Castle, August 2001. Among the support acts were 45 minutes of Coldplay and a stunning 90 minute set by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I have never experienced a better support line up. For U2 it was the first show after Bono buried his father. It was a truly emotional show. Bono kneeling on stage asking for strenght while the Irish and international crowd roared and made so much noise.
Amsterdam 3 at the Vertigo Tour was the show where I picked up a last minute ticket at a ticket drop. U2 were on fire that night playing Who’s gonna ride your wild horses, Miss Sarajevo and a full band Original of the Species where Terry Lawless was introduced on stage. The band closed the night with “40” after an impressive 2 hours and 26 minutes.
A real opening night had been on my list for a number of years when I decided to fly to Vancouver for the premiere of Innocence & Experience. The moment I entered that very small arena floor I felt the energy of a treat; the first time to see a new tour. No YouTube clips, audience recordings and pictures, but an immaculate experience where you see the thing for the first time with a lot of Canadians and people from over the globe.
What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
I’m not much of a collector really. I have got all albums in my cd collection, a number of cd singles and a few tour dvd’s.
How do you like Songs of Experience, what is your favourite song and why?
With Songs of Experience U2 wrap up and round off an era, I think. The themes of family and relationships appeal to me as well as the inner conversation between Innocence & Experience that every one comes across at a certain point in life. The key song for me is “The Little things that give you away”. It marks the the transition from Innocence to Experience on the album.
Should you be forced to leave to a deserted island and you can take only one U2 album with you, which would it be?
Achtung Baby!
How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
I love listening to music and I frequently visit rock, pop and singer-songwriter concerts. At U2 shows I feel that thrill that lifts me up that I hardly ever feel at other shows. Damian Rice, who I saw in 2016, elevated me to that level as well. It must be something Irish I guess.
What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
Outside the world of music I enjoy riding on my race bike, throwing dinner parties with family and friends and watching soccer games at FC Twente stadium.
Willy (right) with friends Tim, Justine and JoleneThanks for this interview wtonis!
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Impressive concert list with great great shows like the last Lovetown Rotterdam, all three Rotterdam '93 gigs and Slane! Jealous 
So I am jealours.