Want to follow the countdown to the first night in Melbourne? Check out this thread and join the conversation.
U2.com Subscribers might also want to check in on this thread from the afternoon and through the show to catch live updates from other fans as it all kicks off again.
(If you're tweeting from - or about - the Melbourne shows, use the hashtag #U2360downunder or #U2360Melbourne.)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
U2's Bono says financial woes hurting AIDS fight
SYDNEY — Financial tough times in developed economies are undercutting efforts to stop the global spread of AIDS, U2 lead singer Bono said on Tuesday.
"Times are hard in the Western world," the Irish rock star and campaigner told Reuters after launching World Aids Day, marked around the world on Dec. 1, at Sydney's Opera House.
Bono said agencies established to arrest acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) "were fighting hard for funding" nearly three decades after the disease was first diagnosed.
He added that more money was needed to meet a target set by the Global Fund to eliminate the transmission of HIV from pregnant mothers to their unborn children by 2015.
According to the United Nations children's fund UNICEF, over a thousand babies are born each day in Africa with HIV and about half of the HIV-positive women in Africa do not get the drugs they need to prevent transmission of the virus to their babies.
"In recessionary times, people have to tell their politicians this is important to them," Bono said.
An estimated 33.3 million people worldwide had the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS in 2009, according to the latest figures issued by UNAIDS. There were 26.2 million in 1999.
There is no cure and no commercially available vaccine but combinations of drugs called antiretrovirals can keep patients healthy. However, the virus stays in the body forever and can reactivate if people stop taking the drugs.
"Some people think that the pandemic is on its way out and it's job done," Bono said. "It is really not so."
source : http://www.montrealgazette.com/
U2 Sydney Harbour pictures
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| Bono, Edge, Aussie PM Julia Gillard (far right) and NSW Premier Kristina Keneally |
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| Bono, The Edge and Adam Clayton with Australia's Prime Minister, Julia Gillard(3rd L), New South Wales state Premier Kristina Keneally (2nd L) and Chair of Pacific Friends of the Global Fund Wendy McCarthy (3rd R). |
Gillard, Bono see Sydney turn red for AIDS Day
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has described the global spread of AIDS as a "catastrophe and a crisis" on the eve of World AIDS Day.
To mark World AIDS Day tomorrow, Ms Gillard has been joined by U2 frontman Bono at the ceremony that saw the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge lit up in red lights.
The Prime Minister has delivered a speech calling for an international response to AIDS and HIV.
She says every sufferer should have access to medication to treat the disease.
"Since the 1990s, we've also had combination drug therapies that can slow and sometimes even halt the progress of AIDS, saving lives and enhancing the quality of life," she said.
"And I say today, those drugs belong in the hands of everyone living with HIV no matter who they are or where they live.
"HIV/AIDS has no boundaries nor should our response."
To mark World AIDS Day tomorrow, Ms Gillard has been joined by U2 frontman Bono at the ceremony that saw the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge lit up in red lights.
The Prime Minister has delivered a speech calling for an international response to AIDS and HIV.
She says every sufferer should have access to medication to treat the disease.
"Since the 1990s, we've also had combination drug therapies that can slow and sometimes even halt the progress of AIDS, saving lives and enhancing the quality of life," she said.
"And I say today, those drugs belong in the hands of everyone living with HIV no matter who they are or where they live.
"HIV/AIDS has no boundaries nor should our response."
U2 - Wide Awake in Europe, Limited Edition #0001 - Got money?
Here's an ebay auction about U2's 'Wide Awake In Europe' limited edition #0001 vinyl. The seller has 100% positive feedback and I wonder how on earth did he got #0001..... Anyway, enjoy.....
Jay-Z, Beyonce and Kanye West Arrive In Melbourne For U2 Concert
Talk about A-list musicians in Melbourne! Althought Jay-Z was reportedly flying solo whilst he supported U2 on their Australian tour...looks like he had room in his jet for wife Beyonce and rapper friend Kanye West!
The trio are believed to be staying at the Crown Towers in South Bank, Melbourne. Beyonce and her hubby have been keeping a very low profile, but apparently enjoyed a meal at Nobu restaurant on Sunday afternoon.
It's believed that Kanye is in Melbourne to work on tracks with Jay-Z for their upcoming album. Fingers crossed for a special Kanye West and Beyonce appearance with Jay-Z during his support slot tomorrow night!
source : http://www.thehothits.com/
The trio are believed to be staying at the Crown Towers in South Bank, Melbourne. Beyonce and her hubby have been keeping a very low profile, but apparently enjoyed a meal at Nobu restaurant on Sunday afternoon.
It's believed that Kanye is in Melbourne to work on tracks with Jay-Z for their upcoming album. Fingers crossed for a special Kanye West and Beyonce appearance with Jay-Z during his support slot tomorrow night!
source : http://www.thehothits.com/
U2 Tour Set To Explode (Nui Te Koha video)
With only one more sleep to go before U2 kick-off their Aussie tour, Triple M's music reporter Nui Te Koha flew back from the band's NZ show on the weekend to tell us what we have in store.
Muse are to support Irish rockers U2 on their South American tour next year
The UK band will hit the road next spring to perform two shows in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and São Paulo, Brazil.The group has posted a message on their official website confirming the news, saying: “We are very pleased to announce that Muse will be supporting U2 in Argentina and Brazil.”
Tickets for the shows – which take place on 30 March and 9 April – go on general sale on 7 December, but Muse fans will be able to pre-order their tickets on 6 December.
More details about the tour are expected to be announced on U2 and Muse's websites over the next few days.v
source : http://www.musicrooms.net/
EDDIE VEDDER ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN SOLO TOUR
Eddie Vedder is heading down under for his first ever Australian solo tour kicking off on March 10th in Brisbane, QLD and ending on March 27 in Adelaide, SA. Evil J & Saint Cecilia will open these shows.We are happy to announce a special Ten Club only ticket pre-sale for members active as of Monday, November 29th at 6:59pm Australia NSW (that's Sunday, November 28th at 11:59pm PST in the US). If you are not already a member, you will not be eligible for the pre-sale. Sorry, tickets are very limited.
The pre-sale will begin Thursday, December 2nd at 9am Australia NSW time (that's Wednesday, December 1st at 2pm PST in the US). The pre-sale will end on Saturday, December 4th at 9am for Australia NSW (that's Friday, December 3rd at 2pm PST in the US) or until tickets are gone. Please check www.timeanddate.com for time zone conversion.
Monday, November 29, 2010
U2.COM : Edge Over Auckland
Ever wondered what it's like being in the band when you arrive at a gig for the first time ? Check this clip out.
You can't beat the view from a helicopter - as Edge discovered arriving over Auckland for the opening night of the New Zealand/Australia dates. Here's what he captured on camera.
Councillor asks Bono to pay for statue of Luke Kelly
Cllr Christy Burke, who first suggested the statue six years ago, said he has been left with no choice but to plead with the U2 singer -- along with Phil Coulter and Enya -- for the €85,000 needed after cash for the memorial was withdrawn.
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) had agreed to install a statue to honour the Dubliners legend, but it has since retracted its promise because of financial woes.
Cllr Burke told the Herald: "Bono said he'd never met him but that he was a great fan, and Mr Coulter sang with him, and Enya is out there in her Dalkey Castle as well. There's also Chris De Burgh.
"If they all got together, the money could be found. Luke would have been the main man at the time, and he was an ambassador for Ireland when he was abroad. He was a most respected figure.
Plenty of good food on Bono's plate
HE might be a rock superstar, but U2 front man Bono could easily turn his hand to being a restaurant critic.
Bono has been Sir Lunch-a-lot since arriving in Sydney at the weekend, chowing down at some of the Harbour City's best known dining establishments.
Yesterday, the singer and a mate enjoyed a relaxing afternoon bite to eat at The Pier restaurant in Rose Bay.
The casually dressed star - sporting his trademark specs and khaki cap - acknowledged a group of diehard fans who waited out the front of the restaurant to shake hands with the Irish rocker as he departed.
On Sunday, Bono and guitarist The Edge lunched at Rose Bay nosherie Catalina, while on Saturday night he had a late dinner at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar in Bondi.
U2 is Down Under for its 360 Degrees tour, which begins in Melbourne at Etihad Stadium tomorrow night.
Before they get down to the business of rock and roll, Bono will today flick the switch in Sydney to turn the Opera House and part of the Harbour Bridge red to celebrate World AIDS Day, which is tomorrow.
source : http://www.heraldsun.com.au/
Bono has been Sir Lunch-a-lot since arriving in Sydney at the weekend, chowing down at some of the Harbour City's best known dining establishments.
Yesterday, the singer and a mate enjoyed a relaxing afternoon bite to eat at The Pier restaurant in Rose Bay.The casually dressed star - sporting his trademark specs and khaki cap - acknowledged a group of diehard fans who waited out the front of the restaurant to shake hands with the Irish rocker as he departed.
On Sunday, Bono and guitarist The Edge lunched at Rose Bay nosherie Catalina, while on Saturday night he had a late dinner at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar in Bondi.
U2 is Down Under for its 360 Degrees tour, which begins in Melbourne at Etihad Stadium tomorrow night.
Before they get down to the business of rock and roll, Bono will today flick the switch in Sydney to turn the Opera House and part of the Harbour Bridge red to celebrate World AIDS Day, which is tomorrow.
source : http://www.heraldsun.com.au/
U2 to play on at Etihad Stadium, even if a storm hits Melbourne
ROCK band U2's first Melbourne show on Tuesday night will go ahead regardless of predicted rain.
The Irish band's enormous "claw" stage sticks out of the top of Etihad Stadium, meaning the roof cannot be completely closed.
Fans should prepare themselves for wet weather, but possible thunderstorms and lightning will create more of a problem.
"If it rains we'll get wet," the band's site manager Bart Durbin said.
"Unless there's torrential downpours, that may affect it slightly, other than that the show goes on. The roof has to be open. We've done shows in the rain before. We get wet. It's not the best thing but we'll go on."
The stage for the band's 360 Degrees tour began being assembled inside Etihad on Friday. The weight of the stage, said to be the largest in touring history, has required extra reinforcement in the car park under the venue.
The Irish band's enormous "claw" stage sticks out of the top of Etihad Stadium, meaning the roof cannot be completely closed.
Fans should prepare themselves for wet weather, but possible thunderstorms and lightning will create more of a problem.
"If it rains we'll get wet," the band's site manager Bart Durbin said.
"Unless there's torrential downpours, that may affect it slightly, other than that the show goes on. The roof has to be open. We've done shows in the rain before. We get wet. It's not the best thing but we'll go on."
The stage for the band's 360 Degrees tour began being assembled inside Etihad on Friday. The weight of the stage, said to be the largest in touring history, has required extra reinforcement in the car park under the venue.
U2.COM : U2 360° Heading To Argentina
Live Nation Global Touring and Time for Fun have today confirmed that U2 will return to Argentina. The U2 360° Tour will visit Estadio Unico de La Plata in Buenos Aires on March 30th, 2011 and special guests on the night will be Muse.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on December 7th with a Banco Frances pre-sale from December 4th via Ticketek. Tickets will be available starting at $155 ARS, with general admission field tickets available at $310 ARS and will be available at www.ticketek.com.ar.
U2.com subscribers can enter a special advance PRESALE beginning this WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1ST at 10am (local) and running until this FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3RD at 8pm (local).
Subscribers will be emailed ahead of this presale with details of timings.
Interested in becoming a U2.com subscriber and entering the ticket presales ? Here's all the details you need - including news of 'U2:Duals'. This is a limited edition CD, not for sale at retail, featuring U2 collaborations with other artists.
Tickets for the U2 performance in Buenos Aires will go on sale to Ticketek cardholders on Saturday, December 4th and to the general public on Tuesday, December 7th.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on December 7th with a Banco Frances pre-sale from December 4th via Ticketek. Tickets will be available starting at $155 ARS, with general admission field tickets available at $310 ARS and will be available at www.ticketek.com.ar.
U2.com subscribers can enter a special advance PRESALE beginning this WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1ST at 10am (local) and running until this FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3RD at 8pm (local).
Subscribers will be emailed ahead of this presale with details of timings.
Interested in becoming a U2.com subscriber and entering the ticket presales ? Here's all the details you need - including news of 'U2:Duals'. This is a limited edition CD, not for sale at retail, featuring U2 collaborations with other artists.
Tickets for the U2 performance in Buenos Aires will go on sale to Ticketek cardholders on Saturday, December 4th and to the general public on Tuesday, December 7th.
U2.COM : U2 360° Heading To Brazil
Live Nation Global Touring and Time for Fun have today confirmed that U2 will return to Brazil. The U2 360° Tour will visit Sao Paulo’s Estadio Morumbi on April 9th, 2011 and special guests on the night will be Muse.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on December 7th with a Citibank pre-sale from December 4th. Tickets will be available starting at $70 BRL, with general admission field tickets available at $180 BRL.
U2.com subscribers can enter a special advance PRESALE beginning this WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1ST at 10am (local) and running until this FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3RD at 10pm (local )
Subscribers will be emailed ahead of this presale with details of timings.
Interested in becoming a U2.com subscriber and entering the ticket presales ? Here's all the details you need - including news of 'U2:Duals'. This is a limited edition CD, not for sale at retail, featuring U2 collaborations with other artists.
Tickets for the April 9th show will go on sale to Citibank customers, including Credicard and Diners cardholders, on Saturday, December 4th and to the general public on Tuesday, December 7th. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 4003-0806 (for the entire country), via Internet at www.ticktesforfun.com.br, at the official box office (Credicard Hall) and retail outlets around the country (http://premier.ticketsforfun.com.br/content/outlets/agency.aspx).
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on December 7th with a Citibank pre-sale from December 4th. Tickets will be available starting at $70 BRL, with general admission field tickets available at $180 BRL.
U2.com subscribers can enter a special advance PRESALE beginning this WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1ST at 10am (local) and running until this FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3RD at 10pm (local )
Subscribers will be emailed ahead of this presale with details of timings.
Interested in becoming a U2.com subscriber and entering the ticket presales ? Here's all the details you need - including news of 'U2:Duals'. This is a limited edition CD, not for sale at retail, featuring U2 collaborations with other artists.
Tickets for the April 9th show will go on sale to Citibank customers, including Credicard and Diners cardholders, on Saturday, December 4th and to the general public on Tuesday, December 7th. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 4003-0806 (for the entire country), via Internet at www.ticktesforfun.com.br, at the official box office (Credicard Hall) and retail outlets around the country (http://premier.ticketsforfun.com.br/content/outlets/agency.aspx).
U2 360 Tour News Article U2 360 Degrees arrives Down Under as most expensive rock act ever
U2 360 Degrees, the most expensive rock spectacle ever, is here.
The tour, with a daily running cost of $850,000, arrived on six 747 jets to be assembled by a crew of 130.
"You compare a tour by the number of trucks they use," production manager Jake Berry said. "The Rolling Stones ran 46 trucks. We are running 55. This is the biggest."
The centrepiece of U2-360 is a so-called claw, an imposing bug-like structure that houses 200 tonnes of light, sound and video magic.
U2-360 stage designer Willie Williams said: "The breakthrough was to make it so big that it becomes part of the stadium. But, in a funny way, it's invisible because the performance area is not connected to the structure."
The tour, with a daily running cost of $850,000, arrived on six 747 jets to be assembled by a crew of 130.
"You compare a tour by the number of trucks they use," production manager Jake Berry said. "The Rolling Stones ran 46 trucks. We are running 55. This is the biggest."
The centrepiece of U2-360 is a so-called claw, an imposing bug-like structure that houses 200 tonnes of light, sound and video magic.
U2-360 stage designer Willie Williams said: "The breakthrough was to make it so big that it becomes part of the stadium. But, in a funny way, it's invisible because the performance area is not connected to the structure."
U2 signed up for Oprah Winfrey Australian specials
IRISH rock group U2 is expected to headline one of two global Oprah TV specials to be filmed next month in the Sydney Opera House forecourt.
Australian brands are signing up to advertise in the programs' local broadcasts.
Media understands local organisers have been briefed that U2, which will be in Sydney on December 14 and will play a concert that night at ANZ Stadium at Olympic Park, will be part of the Oprah line-up. It is also reported that Hugh Jackman will perform in the Oprah specials, to be shown on the Ten Network within days of their US on-air dates.
Australian brands are signing up to advertise in the programs' local broadcasts.
Media understands local organisers have been briefed that U2, which will be in Sydney on December 14 and will play a concert that night at ANZ Stadium at Olympic Park, will be part of the Oprah line-up. It is also reported that Hugh Jackman will perform in the Oprah specials, to be shown on the Ten Network within days of their US on-air dates.
U2 - Mt Smart Stadium Auckland, New Zealand 26/11/2010 - mp3 download
Mt Smart Stadium
Auckland, New Zealand
26/11/2010
Recorded by Fenderboy
master is in 24bit
Church Audio CA11's/Sound Professionals 9v battery box/Edirol R09 @24 bit-41000khz
A Mysterious Benefactor Production
01 Intro (Space Oddity)
02 Return of the Stingray Guitar
03 Beautiful Day
04 New Years Day
05 Get On Your Boots
06 Magnificent
07 Mysterious Ways
08 Elevation
09 Until The End Of The World
10 Bono speaks
11 I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking for/ Movin' On Up (snippet)
12 One Tree Hill
13 Angel Of Harlem/ Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (snippet)
14 In A Little While
15 Miss Sarajevo
16 City of Blinding Lights
17 Vertigo
18 I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Relax (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet)
19 Sunday Bloody Sunday
20 Scarlet
21 Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet)
22 Archbishop Desmond Tutu
23 One/Unchained Melody (snippet)
24 Where The Streets Have No Name
25 Turn On Your Radio
26 Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
27 With Or Without You
28 Bono takes a call
29 Moment of Surrender
Auckland, New Zealand
26/11/2010
Recorded by Fenderboy
master is in 24bit
Church Audio CA11's/Sound Professionals 9v battery box/Edirol R09 @24 bit-41000khz
A Mysterious Benefactor Production
01 Intro (Space Oddity)
02 Return of the Stingray Guitar
03 Beautiful Day
04 New Years Day
05 Get On Your Boots
06 Magnificent
07 Mysterious Ways
08 Elevation
09 Until The End Of The World
10 Bono speaks
11 I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking for/ Movin' On Up (snippet)
12 One Tree Hill
13 Angel Of Harlem/ Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (snippet)
14 In A Little While
15 Miss Sarajevo
16 City of Blinding Lights
17 Vertigo
18 I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Relax (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet)
19 Sunday Bloody Sunday
20 Scarlet
21 Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet)
22 Archbishop Desmond Tutu
23 One/Unchained Melody (snippet)
24 Where The Streets Have No Name
25 Turn On Your Radio
26 Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
27 With Or Without You
28 Bono takes a call
29 Moment of Surrender
U2 - Mt Smart Stadium Auckland, New Zealand 25/11/2010 - mp3 download
01 Intro (Space Oddity)
02 Return of the Stingray Guitar
03 Beautiful Day
04 I Will Follow
05 Get On Your Boots
06 Magnificent
07 Mysterious Ways
08 Elevation
09 Until The End Of The World
10 Bono speaks & band intros
11 I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking for
12 One Tree Hill
13 Pride (In the Name of Love)
14 In A Little While
15 Miss Sarajevo
16 City of Blinding Lights
17 Vertigo
18 I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Relax (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet)
19 Sunday Bloody Sunday (featuring Jay Z)
20 Scarlet (featuring Jay Z)
21 Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet)
22 Archbishop Desmond Tutu
23 One / Fall At Your Feet (snippet) /Amazing Grace (snippet) /
24 Where The Streets Have No Name
25 Turn On Your Radio
26 Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
27 With Or Without You / Shine Like Stars (snippet)
28 Bono speaks
29 Moment of Surrender
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Arcade Fire: 'The cliched rock life never seemed that cool to us' (U2 related)
Bono meets Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd at Sydney Opera House
FOREIGN Minister Kevin Rudd has met with U2 frontman Bono to talk about poverty and aid. A spokesman for Mr Rudd said the pair met at the Sydney Opera House today for about 45 minutes, along with Make History Poverty co-chairs Andrew Hewett and Tim Costello.
The rock star praised the government's development agenda, bipartisan support to reduce poverty globally and spoke about the challenge of global development and Australia's contribution, the spokesman said.
On Bono's agenda was an expansion of the Australian government's aid program and meeting Millennium Development goals set by the UN to reduce global poverty.
Mr Rudd praised Bono for his activism and the pair also spoke about developments in HIV globally, the spokesman said.
Mr Rudd told Sky News that Australia was committed to assisting the world's less fortunate.
"We've always had a view that when there's strife around the world we pitch in," he said.U2, touring with rapper Jay-Z, begin the Australian leg of their tour in Melbourne on Wednesday.
They'll play two shows at Etihad Stadium before performing in Brisbane on December 8 and 9, Sydney on December 13 and 14 and Perth on December 18 and 19.
source : http://www.heraldsun.com.au/
Saturday, November 27, 2010
U2 a leader in music and ONE activism
U2 has played with passion as they parlayed their 1978 Dublin-based, working class, teen-aged start-up ban into the world's most popular rock band over the last three decades. However, U2 doesn't just measure success by music industry metrics — most albums sold, most concert ticket revenue, or most Grammy Awards — but also by the charitable funds raised.
Win U2 Tickets All Week
U2 is playing Lincoln Financial Field this summer, for real this time (we think!). All this week we’re crossing one item off of your holiday wish list by giving you a pair of tickets to see the biggest show of 2011.
All week, when you hear 2 from U2 be the 94th caller to 215-592-9494. You’ll pick up a pair of tickets to see U2 at The Linc on July 14th. The Danny Bonaduce Show will announce the times that you’ll hear 2 from U2 every morning at 7:00 AM.
Monday, we’ll play 2 from U2 at 11:30AM and 5:30PM. Be sure to listen to Danny at 7:00 AM or check back here tomorrow for your next chances to win.
Good luck! If you don’t win, you can still purchase tickets. There are plenty of great seats still available. Get your tickets HERE.
source : http://94wysp.radio.com/
All week, when you hear 2 from U2 be the 94th caller to 215-592-9494. You’ll pick up a pair of tickets to see U2 at The Linc on July 14th. The Danny Bonaduce Show will announce the times that you’ll hear 2 from U2 every morning at 7:00 AM.
Monday, we’ll play 2 from U2 at 11:30AM and 5:30PM. Be sure to listen to Danny at 7:00 AM or check back here tomorrow for your next chances to win.
Good luck! If you don’t win, you can still purchase tickets. There are plenty of great seats still available. Get your tickets HERE.
source : http://94wysp.radio.com/
Friday, November 26, 2010
Wellington woman stunned by Bono
The 25-year-old Brooklyn woman was lifted on to the stage by the U2 singer at the band's sell-out Auckland concert on Thursday after camping outside the venue for 24 hours.
Bono, dressed in sleek black leather, lay in her lap, looking up into her eyes as he sang the ballad In a Little While, from the album All That You Can't Leave Behind.
Julian Lennon on photography, Bono & Dad
Amnesty International on tour with U2 : Demanding dignity down under
By Lucy Macnamara, Demand Dignity Campaign Co-ordinator at Amnesty InternationalAmnesty International has rejoined U2 on their 360° tour! Having travelled with them through Europe, this time round we’re down under, here in Auckland, New Zealand for a couple of shows before heading to Australia.
Of course, the biggest and most fantastic news since the last show in Rome is that Aung San Suu Kyi has been released! Amnesty members, together with many people and organizations around the world have played a big part in building pressure for this to happen, as have U2 themselves.
U2.COM : Mercy - Now Streaming (on U2 Hellas too!!!)
Today, November 26th, U2 release a three-track live EP, 'Wide Awake In Europe'.
Released to celebrate Record Store Day, the EP is only available from participating North American stores. Read more here.
This limited edition vinyl EP, is led by a track that has legendary status for many U2 fans. 'Mercy’ has been in progress for a while and was featured in the setlist of the 2010 European leg of U2360°. The live version on the EP was recorded in Brussels on September 22nd 2010, and is the first time any recording of the track has been released.
And just for our U2.com subscribers, for 48 hours we're streaming 'Mercy' - as well as 'Moment of Surrender' and 'I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight' , the two other tracks on 'Wide Awake In Europe'.
Take a listen and tell us what you think.
Released to celebrate Record Store Day, the EP is only available from participating North American stores. Read more here.
This limited edition vinyl EP, is led by a track that has legendary status for many U2 fans. 'Mercy’ has been in progress for a while and was featured in the setlist of the 2010 European leg of U2360°. The live version on the EP was recorded in Brussels on September 22nd 2010, and is the first time any recording of the track has been released.
And just for our U2.com subscribers, for 48 hours we're streaming 'Mercy' - as well as 'Moment of Surrender' and 'I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight' , the two other tracks on 'Wide Awake In Europe'.
Take a listen and tell us what you think.
U2.COM : 'Wide Awake In Europe' for Record Store Day
On November 26th, to celebrate Record Store Day, U2 are releasing a three-track live EP called Wide Awake In Europe. The limited edition vinyl is only be available from North American stores participating in Record Store Day.
'We all wanted to get behind Record Store Day, ’ said bassist Adam Clayton, 'My local record shop introduced me to music I didn’t know and I might never have discovered.'
With only 5000 copies pressed, Wide Awake In America will be led by 'Mercy’ recorded live in Brussels on September 22nd 2010 and also features live performances of 'Moment of Surrender' and 'I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight' from the U2360°Tour.
This is the first time any recording of Mercy has been released - the song has been in progress for a while and was featured in the setlist of the 2010 European leg of U2360°. Fans in the UK and Ireland will also have an opportunity to get the vinyl - a few hundred copies will also be shipped to shops in the UK and Ireland. Please check to see which stores are participating in the project.
The title of the EP recalls the band's 1985 release 'Wide Awake in America' which featured live performances from The Unforgettable Fire Tour.
'We all wanted to get behind Record Store Day, ’ said bassist Adam Clayton, 'My local record shop introduced me to music I didn’t know and I might never have discovered.'
With only 5000 copies pressed, Wide Awake In America will be led by 'Mercy’ recorded live in Brussels on September 22nd 2010 and also features live performances of 'Moment of Surrender' and 'I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight' from the U2360°Tour.
This is the first time any recording of Mercy has been released - the song has been in progress for a while and was featured in the setlist of the 2010 European leg of U2360°. Fans in the UK and Ireland will also have an opportunity to get the vinyl - a few hundred copies will also be shipped to shops in the UK and Ireland. Please check to see which stores are participating in the project.
The title of the EP recalls the band's 1985 release 'Wide Awake in America' which featured live performances from The Unforgettable Fire Tour.
U2.COM : 'It's Friday Night in Auckland.'
'Dunedin, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland...' Second night in New Zealand and Mt Smart Stadium is rocking again.
'Thank you to Jay-Z for getting this space ship off the ground,' said Bono, 'The hip-hop heavyweight champion of the world and not just hip-hop... that band is scary.'
Tonight, he promised, 'we're gonna have a greater night. Because we can, we must. It's Friday night, we're a long way from home... and we're feeling a little flirtatious.'
And so we were into the second night of U2's fifth visit to New Zealand: '84, '89, '93, '06, 2010' - as Bono listed the years when the band have played Kiwi shows, it seemed like everyone in the house was yelling for 'More!'.
'It's been a long romance with this wild and extraordinary country but tonight I think we should go all the way...'
And they did, with another blistering 24-song set including a series of second-night surprises including New Year's Day, Angel of Harlem ('This goes out to the Queen B' - Beyonce, who is at the show tonight) and Hold Me Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me.
One Tree Hill was again particularly poignant as Bono recalled it was written about 'a life unfairly snatched away... we wrote it for Greg Caroll, whose family are with us tonight. But tonight it belongs to the miners of the West Coast Pike River...'
'Thank you to Jay-Z for getting this space ship off the ground,' said Bono, 'The hip-hop heavyweight champion of the world and not just hip-hop... that band is scary.'
Tonight, he promised, 'we're gonna have a greater night. Because we can, we must. It's Friday night, we're a long way from home... and we're feeling a little flirtatious.'
And so we were into the second night of U2's fifth visit to New Zealand: '84, '89, '93, '06, 2010' - as Bono listed the years when the band have played Kiwi shows, it seemed like everyone in the house was yelling for 'More!'.
'It's been a long romance with this wild and extraordinary country but tonight I think we should go all the way...'
And they did, with another blistering 24-song set including a series of second-night surprises including New Year's Day, Angel of Harlem ('This goes out to the Queen B' - Beyonce, who is at the show tonight) and Hold Me Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me.
One Tree Hill was again particularly poignant as Bono recalled it was written about 'a life unfairly snatched away... we wrote it for Greg Caroll, whose family are with us tonight. But tonight it belongs to the miners of the West Coast Pike River...'
U2 Setlist: November 26, 2010 at Auckland, New Zealand
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
Opening Act(s): Jay-Z
Main Set: Return of the Stingray Guitar, Beautiful Day, New Year's Day, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Until the End of the World. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Movin' On Up, One Tree Hill, Angel Of Harlem - Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, In A Little While, Miss Sarajevo, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Relax - I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight (remix) - Two Tribes, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On - You'll Never Walk Alone
Encore(s): One, Unchained Melody - Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender
Comments: Angel Of Harlem is played for only the second time this year, and features a Michael Jackson snippet as it did several times in the summer of 2009. Unlike last night's show, Jay-Z does not come on stage to sing during Sunday Bloody Sunday and Scarlet.
source : http://www.u2tours.com/
Opening Act(s): Jay-Z
Encore(s): One, Unchained Melody - Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender
Comments: Angel Of Harlem is played for only the second time this year, and features a Michael Jackson snippet as it did several times in the summer of 2009. Unlike last night's show, Jay-Z does not come on stage to sing during Sunday Bloody Sunday and Scarlet.
source : http://www.u2tours.com/
Jay-Z on Bono
Jay-Z's larger-than-life influence has reached far beyond the realm of hip-hop. The MC has been closely affiliated with some of pop music's biggest entertainers, including Linkin Park, Coldplay's Chris Martin and U2 frontman Bono. Early in "Decoded," Jay elaborated on his relationship with Bono and his first impressions of the singer.
"The writer had asked me about the U2 record that was about to be released and I said something about the kind of pressure a group like that must be under just to meet their own standard. Bono told me that my quote had really gotten to him. In fact, he said it got him a little anxious. He decided to go back to the studio even though the album was already done and keep reworking it till he thought it was as good as it could possibly be."
source : http://www.vh1.com/
"The writer had asked me about the U2 record that was about to be released and I said something about the kind of pressure a group like that must be under just to meet their own standard. Bono told me that my quote had really gotten to him. In fact, he said it got him a little anxious. He decided to go back to the studio even though the album was already done and keep reworking it till he thought it was as good as it could possibly be."
source : http://www.vh1.com/
Cape Town - New Block Of Tickets Just Announced for Previously Sold Out U2 Show!
Tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 29th 09:00am
BIG Concerts and Live Nation announced today that a limited number of tickets at Cape Town Stadium will be made available starting Monday, November 29th at 09:00am.
With the Cape Town performance selling out just a couple of days after going on sale, the promoters by arrangement with the stadium and local authorities have secured a limited number of temporary seats on the upper tier of Cape Town stadium, which will be priced at R749.
With a cylindrical video system of interlocking LED panels, and a steel structure rising 150 feet from the floor over a massive stage with rotating bridges, the band has truly created an intimate 360º experience for concertgoers. Long-time U2 Show Director Willie Williams has worked again with architect Mark Fisher (ZooTV, PopMart, Elevation and Vertigo), to create an innovative 360 design, which affords an unobstructed view for the audience.
“To have an in-the-round transportable stadium production is something that the touring industry has been trying to figure out for some time. The extra capacity U2 360° gives us means that there are a large number, several thousand in fact, of low priced tickets at every show”, said U2 tour producer/promoter Arthur Fogel, CEO of Live Nation Global Touring. “With its unique staging configuration, U2 360° has excellent sight-lines”.
The new block of tickets for the Cape Town performance on Friday, Feb. 18th will go on sale at 09:00am on Monday, November 29th through Computicket (www.computicket.com or the 083915800).
The South African dates are produced by Live Nation Global Touring in association with Big Concerts (a Live Nation partner). The tour media partners are 94.7 Highveld Stereo, 94.5 KFM and MNET.
BIG Concerts and Live Nation announced today that a limited number of tickets at Cape Town Stadium will be made available starting Monday, November 29th at 09:00am.
With the Cape Town performance selling out just a couple of days after going on sale, the promoters by arrangement with the stadium and local authorities have secured a limited number of temporary seats on the upper tier of Cape Town stadium, which will be priced at R749.
With a cylindrical video system of interlocking LED panels, and a steel structure rising 150 feet from the floor over a massive stage with rotating bridges, the band has truly created an intimate 360º experience for concertgoers. Long-time U2 Show Director Willie Williams has worked again with architect Mark Fisher (ZooTV, PopMart, Elevation and Vertigo), to create an innovative 360 design, which affords an unobstructed view for the audience.
“To have an in-the-round transportable stadium production is something that the touring industry has been trying to figure out for some time. The extra capacity U2 360° gives us means that there are a large number, several thousand in fact, of low priced tickets at every show”, said U2 tour producer/promoter Arthur Fogel, CEO of Live Nation Global Touring. “With its unique staging configuration, U2 360° has excellent sight-lines”.
The new block of tickets for the Cape Town performance on Friday, Feb. 18th will go on sale at 09:00am on Monday, November 29th through Computicket (www.computicket.com or the 083915800).
The South African dates are produced by Live Nation Global Touring in association with Big Concerts (a Live Nation partner). The tour media partners are 94.7 Highveld Stereo, 94.5 KFM and MNET.
U2.COM : Follow The Second Show in NZ
Want to keep up with what fans are saying in the build-up to the second night in Auckland ? Check out this thread and join the conversation.
U2.com Subscribers might also want to check in on this thread from the afternoon of the show to catch live updates from other fans as it all kicks off again.
And check out this forum in Zootopia for all the goss from U2.commers about the New Zealand/Australia shows.
(If you're tweeting from - or about - this week's shows, use the hashtag #U2360downunder or #U2360Auckland.)
U2.com Subscribers might also want to check in on this thread from the afternoon of the show to catch live updates from other fans as it all kicks off again.
And check out this forum in Zootopia for all the goss from U2.commers about the New Zealand/Australia shows.
(If you're tweeting from - or about - this week's shows, use the hashtag #U2360downunder or #U2360Auckland.)
Thursday, November 25, 2010
U2.COM : 'How Do We Top This?'
'I didn't want to stop the boss climbing onto the roof but I got yelled at later on...'
Rocko Reedy has been U2's Stage Manager since the early 1990's and he's got a few stories to tell about life on the road. But even he doesn't know what the band do to top this tour.
We caught up with him at the end of the European leg.
Gig Review : U2 in Auckland
Two of music's biggest acts paid tribute to the Pike River miners at a sold out Mt Smart Stadium on Thursday night.
There was little doubt that a band with the social conscience of U2 would acknowledge the tragedy, even during the entertainment behemoth that is their 360 tour.
"People have ways of dealing with grief, in Ireland we sing," said charismatic front man Bono before an emotional version of Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.
They followed that with local favourite One Tree Hill as the names of the 29 dead scrolled down the massive screen at Mt Smart Stadium on Thursday night.
There was little doubt that a band with the social conscience of U2 would acknowledge the tragedy, even during the entertainment behemoth that is their 360 tour.
"People have ways of dealing with grief, in Ireland we sing," said charismatic front man Bono before an emotional version of Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.
They followed that with local favourite One Tree Hill as the names of the 29 dead scrolled down the massive screen at Mt Smart Stadium on Thursday night.
U2.COM : One Tree Hill in Auckland
With a breathtaking sequence of eight tracks from 'Beautiful Day' to 'Still Haven't Found', the most moving moment of the night arrived with the opening chords of One Tree Hill, a song originally written for New Zealander Greg Carroll - and the only U2 track solely released as a single in this country.
Tonight One Tree Hill has still greater resonance, dedicated to the miners who have lost their lives in the accident at the Pike River mine on the South Island. 'At a time like this when your hearts must be so raw...' said Bono. 'People deal with grief in different ways. In Ireland we sing...'
U2 in NZ - a short history
 |
U2, with BB King (centre) at their Auckland Airport press conference in 1989. Photo / Yanse Martin |
1984:
U2 perform to a total of about 10,000 people across four nights at the Christchurch Town Hall, the Wellington Show Buildings and a two-night stand at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre. Auckland soundman Greg Carroll is recruited into the band's crew and he becomes stage manager and Bono's right-hand-man. Carroll is killed in a motorcycle accident in Dublin in 1986. Bono, wife Ali and drummer Larry Mullen attend the tangi at Kai-Iwi marae near Wanganui.
1989:
Supported by B.B. King on their Lovetown Tour, U2 play four shows - at Christchurch's Lancaster Park, Wellington's Athletic Park, and two nights at Western Springs. Although the final Auckland show on November 11 is the only one to sell out, the band play to a total of 155,000 people in the wake of the Joshua Tree era - the album's One Tree Hill (a NZ-only single) is performed within sight of its namesake for the first time.
1993:
After an earnest 1980s, the band bring their playful post-Achtung Baby/Zoo TV multimedia extravaganza to "New Zooland" with Bono in his many ironic guises (The Fly, MacPhisto) fronting shows at Christchurch's Lancaster Park on December 1 and Western Springs on December 4 before heading to Tokyo for the final two shows of the 157 dates. When local support act the 3Ds pilfered a bottle of wine from U2's dressing room, they were threatened with not getting paid. Bono insisted they be paid double and sent them another bottle.
2006:
After giving New Zealand a swerve for 13 years, U2 make a triumphant return with two nights at Mt Smart Stadium on the Vertigo tour, supported by Kanye West. "A performance that managed to do the impossible for a stadium show - marry real emotional punch to extravagant gesture" said the Herald's review of of the first night.
source : http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
U2 Choose Surprising Venue For Nashville Show
U2 have surprised many fans in Nashville with the announcement that they will not perform at LP Field for their next stop in the city. Instead, the band has decided to play at Vanderbilt University.
According to a new report from the Tennessean, U2 initially planned to perform at the Tennessee Titans' 68,000-seat home venue but were turned away due to scheduling concerns. They will instead play Vanderbilt's 40,000-seat stadium, marking a relatively small show for the Irish rockers.
"When we decide that we should play a market, we basically look at all the options. It was as simple as we felt it was the right situation to play in. We looked at both options and decided what we thought was best for that market and for U2," Live Nation's Arthur Fogel says of the band's first Nashville date since 1981.
Fogel continues on to say that the unexpected venue change only contributes to the excitement that is already building for the show.
"And there's a slight twist when it comes to that market in terms of the last appearance many moons ago. They played at Vanderbilt. There was a bit of a hook there that I think everybody, certainly myself, thought was interesting," he adds.
source : http://www.rttnews.com/
According to a new report from the Tennessean, U2 initially planned to perform at the Tennessee Titans' 68,000-seat home venue but were turned away due to scheduling concerns. They will instead play Vanderbilt's 40,000-seat stadium, marking a relatively small show for the Irish rockers.
"When we decide that we should play a market, we basically look at all the options. It was as simple as we felt it was the right situation to play in. We looked at both options and decided what we thought was best for that market and for U2," Live Nation's Arthur Fogel says of the band's first Nashville date since 1981.
Fogel continues on to say that the unexpected venue change only contributes to the excitement that is already building for the show.
"And there's a slight twist when it comes to that market in terms of the last appearance many moons ago. They played at Vanderbilt. There was a bit of a hook there that I think everybody, certainly myself, thought was interesting," he adds.
source : http://www.rttnews.com/
Setlist : November 25, 2010 at Auckland, New Zealand
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
Opening Act(s): Jay-Z
Main Set: Return of the Stingray Guitar, Beautiful Day, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Until the End of the World, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, One Tree Hill, Pride, In A Little While, Miss Sarajevo, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight (remix) - Relax - Two Tribes, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On - You'll Never Walk Alone
Encore(s): One, Amazing Grace - Where the Streets Have No Name, Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender
Comments: U2 resumes the 360 Tour after about six weeks off. As usually happens in New Zealand, U2 plays 'One Tree Hill', but tonight the song is dedicated to the victims of the recent Pike River mining disaster. Bono changes the lyrics to reference the event as the names of the 29 dead scroll on the video screen. Jay-Z joins U2 for 'Sunday Bloody Sunday,' just as he did in Germany on November 5, 2009. He stays on and raps over 'Scarlet', which is played for the first time since a September 3, 1981, BBC radio show. Bono sings the rare 'shine like stars' coda during 'With or Without You.'
source : http://www.u2tours.com/
U2 pays tribute to Pike River miners
Even the biggest concert of the year acknowledged the sombre mood of the nation.
U2's Bono said the band felt privileged to be here especially at a time when hearts were aching and so raw.
Struggling for the right words to convey his condolences for the people of Greymouth, he said: "People deal with grief in all sorts of ways. In Ireland, we sing".
Bono then launched into "I still haven't found what I'm looking for".
The names of the 29 mining victims scrolled across the screen as the band played "One Tree Hill", a song penned for New Zealander Greg Carroll who was the band's roadie.
Opening act Jay-Z also paid a rap tribute to the miners saying "they will always be in our hearts and they will always be forever young."
source : http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ by Jared Savage
U2's Bono said the band felt privileged to be here especially at a time when hearts were aching and so raw.
Struggling for the right words to convey his condolences for the people of Greymouth, he said: "People deal with grief in all sorts of ways. In Ireland, we sing".
Bono then launched into "I still haven't found what I'm looking for".
The names of the 29 mining victims scrolled across the screen as the band played "One Tree Hill", a song penned for New Zealander Greg Carroll who was the band's roadie.
Opening act Jay-Z also paid a rap tribute to the miners saying "they will always be in our hearts and they will always be forever young."
source : http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ by Jared Savage
More U2 360 Brazil rumors
Rolling Stone Brazil
November 24, 2010
Rolling Stone Brazil is reporting that U2 will bring the U2 360 tour there in April, 2011. No specific dates are mentioned, but the article says U2 is expected to play two shows in Sao Paolo and Porto Alegre.
source : http://www.u2tours.com/
U2 Concert Set To Rock Auckland
Mt Smart stadium is looking forward to a rocking night as world-class rock group U2 crank up their guitars for their first Auckland show tonight.
Chairman of Auckland Council's regional Facilities Auckland, Sir Don McKinnon says that this will be one of the largest concerts ever staged in New Zealand.
"We are seeing international headline acts increasingly include Auckland on their tour calendars," he says.
"I believe this is thanks to the class of facilities Auckland can now offer promoters and the huge skill base in the entertainment industry that has been built up in the Auckland region over the past 10 years.
With facilities like the Vector Arena, Mt Smart Stadium and Western Springs we can cater to a wide range of shows and spectacles.
These facilities employ entertainment industry people - lighting and sound engineers, stage management crews, security and traffic management teams.
The economic impact of hosting large events, by attracting people to Auckland filling flights and hotels, and through the employment of Aucklanders, is significant for the region," said Sir Don.
"Inevitably, there will be some disruption around large scale events likes this and we are able to draw on the assistance of our parent, the Auckland Council to ensure that we can work with the promoter and the public to help manage any disruption around things like noise and traffic."
source : http://www.voxy.co.nz/
Chairman of Auckland Council's regional Facilities Auckland, Sir Don McKinnon says that this will be one of the largest concerts ever staged in New Zealand.
"We are seeing international headline acts increasingly include Auckland on their tour calendars," he says.
"I believe this is thanks to the class of facilities Auckland can now offer promoters and the huge skill base in the entertainment industry that has been built up in the Auckland region over the past 10 years.
With facilities like the Vector Arena, Mt Smart Stadium and Western Springs we can cater to a wide range of shows and spectacles.
These facilities employ entertainment industry people - lighting and sound engineers, stage management crews, security and traffic management teams.
The economic impact of hosting large events, by attracting people to Auckland filling flights and hotels, and through the employment of Aucklanders, is significant for the region," said Sir Don.
"Inevitably, there will be some disruption around large scale events likes this and we are able to draw on the assistance of our parent, the Auckland Council to ensure that we can work with the promoter and the public to help manage any disruption around things like noise and traffic."
source : http://www.voxy.co.nz/
U2 : 'We're still in the driving seat'
Scott Kara talks to U2's Adam Clayton about how the band has evolved and why the game's not over yet
Bono describes him as "wildly and mentally endowed" with the "sartorial swagger of the Brat Pack." He's the Clark Gable -- think Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind -- of the biggest band in the world.
Well, that's what Bono reckons anyway. To us mere mortals, however, Adam Clayton is simply U2's laid-back, cruisy and ever-so-stylish bass player.
Following a friendly reminder from his assistant, he calls me 25 minutes late from New York on Sunday morning (New Zealand time).
"Hi Scott. It's Adam," he says cheerily. He asks what the weather's like.
It's glum but it'll be beautiful for their two Auckland shows (the first of which is tonight), I tell him.
"It better be or we won't come," he chuckles.
There's some small talk about rugby, since the All Blacks have just played Ireland.
"Is it appropriate to ask who won?" he asks politely.
The All Blacks, but it was a typically determined Irish effort.
U2 fans : they will follow
Patrick Smith has seen U2 around 100 times.
That might sound a little obsessive -- and for non-believers, possibly a little peculiar -- but he started early.
Smith, the sales and marketing manager and events specialist at Mt Smart Stadium, where U2 play tonight and tomorrow, first saw the band play at Manchester Polytechnic in April or May 1980. He's been a devout fan ever since.
"I was 15 years old. I went with a friend of mine who was a couple of years older. which is how I managed to get in, and there were about 80 people," he says.
That was during the Boy tour when they were playing songs like "I Will Follow," "An Cat Dubh," and "Electric Co."
"It was basically the first album and I remember Bono wearing a fur coat ... I don't know if it was real or not," he laughs.
That might sound a little obsessive -- and for non-believers, possibly a little peculiar -- but he started early.
Smith, the sales and marketing manager and events specialist at Mt Smart Stadium, where U2 play tonight and tomorrow, first saw the band play at Manchester Polytechnic in April or May 1980. He's been a devout fan ever since.
"I was 15 years old. I went with a friend of mine who was a couple of years older. which is how I managed to get in, and there were about 80 people," he says.
That was during the Boy tour when they were playing songs like "I Will Follow," "An Cat Dubh," and "Electric Co."
"It was basically the first album and I remember Bono wearing a fur coat ... I don't know if it was real or not," he laughs.
U2 working on new album
Irish rock stars U2 are working on a new album while they are in New Zealand. The band, who are performing two Auckland shows today and Friday, were using their time while they were in the country wisely.
The band's manager, Paul McGuinness, said U2 had a deadline looming for their latest album and were working on finishing it while they are here.
''We are trying very hard to use this time in New Zealand and Australia to finish an album that will be released [in autumn],'' he said.
McGuinness said while the band were not actually recording in New Zealand, they were working hard on the finishing touches.
''It's not so much recording as editing and polishing up lyrics and trying to getting it done by the date it needs to be delivered to the record company for release in May.
''It's sounding great: lots of hits.''
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Brian Eno on U2, Talking Heads and his love of minimalism
Already established as an artist in his own right, Brian Eno hooked up with Talking Heads at an important junction in the band's career. Pushing them into new directions, the producer helped the group break through barriers.
Later earning global fame for his role in U2's output, Brian Eno has revealed what drew him to work with these acts. Speaking to a German radio station, the producer reflected on his love of Minimalism.
“I appreciate minimalists. So, I always like people who get big results without very much action. I think this is because… I’ve always liked minimalists actually, when I was a kid the first painter I really liked was Mondrian" he said.
U2 apologise for noise 'getting the cobwebs out'
Irish band U2 have apologised for a practice that was heard in the suburbs surrounding Mt Smart Stadium, where the first of two New Zealand concerts will be played tonight.
"We've been here for three days and sound-checking so we want to apologise if we've upset some local people," production director Jake Berry said yesterday.
"But it is what we have to do in order to start a tour, and to start here in Auckland.
"We may make a little bit more noise doing it but we certainly inject a lot more cash into the local community."
Mr Berry said the band had been told by a council staff member that they were within noise limits and a 10pm curfew.
"We've been here for three days and sound-checking so we want to apologise if we've upset some local people," production director Jake Berry said yesterday.
"But it is what we have to do in order to start a tour, and to start here in Auckland.
"We may make a little bit more noise doing it but we certainly inject a lot more cash into the local community."
Mr Berry said the band had been told by a council staff member that they were within noise limits and a 10pm curfew.
U2's rehearsals in Auckland, Wednesday 24/11
Tomorrow, the fourth leg of the 360° Tour begins with the first of two shows in Auckland. Today, U2 have done another rehearsal at Mount Smart Stadium.
Like yesterday, the band have done two rehearsal sessions. The earlier session featured Sunday Bloody Sunday, the intro to Walk On, and extensive rehearsal of and tinkering with Boy Falls From The Sky. It reportedly also included a rehearsal of Scarlet with a guest rap by Jay-Z, but we have not yet confirmed this for sure.
For the later rehearsal session, the band picked up close to where they left off yesterday and continued rehearsing an actual main setlist and then some extra songs. Thanks again to KhanadaRhodes and Ian on Interference for details. The band played:
0. End of In A Little While
1. Miss Sarajevo
2. Boy Falls From The Sky
3. City Of Blinding Lights
4. Vertigo, partly instrumental
5. Crazy Tonight / Relax (snippet)
6. Sunday Bloody Sunday / Get Up Stand Up (snippet) - an unknown rap preceded the snippet, though Jay-Z was not in attendance
7. Scarlet
8. Walk On
9. One Tree Hill, largely instrumental; Bono introduced it with a mention of the Pike River mine disaster
10. Ultra Violet
11. Boy Falls From The Sky (again)
12. Edge plays the intro to Where The Streets Have No Name
That was all for the night; join us again tomorrow for the concert. We'll see if One Tree Hill makes its much-anticipated appearance, what unreleased songs are performed, and whether Scarlet is played live for just the second time ever.
Like yesterday, the band have done two rehearsal sessions. The earlier session featured Sunday Bloody Sunday, the intro to Walk On, and extensive rehearsal of and tinkering with Boy Falls From The Sky. It reportedly also included a rehearsal of Scarlet with a guest rap by Jay-Z, but we have not yet confirmed this for sure.
For the later rehearsal session, the band picked up close to where they left off yesterday and continued rehearsing an actual main setlist and then some extra songs. Thanks again to KhanadaRhodes and Ian on Interference for details. The band played:
0. End of In A Little While
1. Miss Sarajevo
2. Boy Falls From The Sky
3. City Of Blinding Lights
4. Vertigo, partly instrumental
5. Crazy Tonight / Relax (snippet)
6. Sunday Bloody Sunday / Get Up Stand Up (snippet) - an unknown rap preceded the snippet, though Jay-Z was not in attendance
7. Scarlet
8. Walk On
9. One Tree Hill, largely instrumental; Bono introduced it with a mention of the Pike River mine disaster
10. Ultra Violet
11. Boy Falls From The Sky (again)
12. Edge plays the intro to Where The Streets Have No Name
That was all for the night; join us again tomorrow for the concert. We'll see if One Tree Hill makes its much-anticipated appearance, what unreleased songs are performed, and whether Scarlet is played live for just the second time ever.
source : http://www.u2gigs.com
U2 ready to go - Mount Smart Stadium, NZ
Mount Smart Stadium is almost unrecognisable as final preperations are underway for U2's Auckland leg of the 360 tour
The final preparations are underway for U2's Auckland leg of the 360 Tour and Mount Smart Stadium is almost unrecognisable.
The aim is that each of the 50,000 spectators at Mount Smart Stadium is able to see U2's entire performance.
An extra 10,000 seats are up at each end of the stadium and a special aluminum floor has been put on the field.
Sound checks are taking place this afternoon.
source : http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/
The final preparations are underway for U2's Auckland leg of the 360 Tour and Mount Smart Stadium is almost unrecognisable.
The aim is that each of the 50,000 spectators at Mount Smart Stadium is able to see U2's entire performance.
An extra 10,000 seats are up at each end of the stadium and a special aluminum floor has been put on the field.
Sound checks are taking place this afternoon.
source : http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/
Flights booked out for U2 concerts
Planning a last-minute flight to Auckland this week? A certain Irish band's presence means you may have to pay through the roof.
NZPA understands one business traveller only got on a high demand early morning flight this week off a waiting list and then paid nearly $1200 for a Wellington-Auckland return flight.
Flights from Wellington and Christchurch to Auckland were all but booked out on both Air New Zealand and Jetstar for today, tomorrow and Friday, something travel industry sources said was largely due to the U2 concerts on Thursday and Friday at Mt Smart Stadium.
One travel agent, who did not wish to be named, said the flights were much busier than normal.
"We get very heavy bookings when test rugby is on, but I don't remember seeing it this full for a long time," she told NZPA.
NZPA understands one business traveller only got on a high demand early morning flight this week off a waiting list and then paid nearly $1200 for a Wellington-Auckland return flight.
Flights from Wellington and Christchurch to Auckland were all but booked out on both Air New Zealand and Jetstar for today, tomorrow and Friday, something travel industry sources said was largely due to the U2 concerts on Thursday and Friday at Mt Smart Stadium.
One travel agent, who did not wish to be named, said the flights were much busier than normal.
"We get very heavy bookings when test rugby is on, but I don't remember seeing it this full for a long time," she told NZPA.
U2.COM : All Set For Auckland
Want to know what fans are saying in the build-up to the opening night of the new leg of the tour ? Check out this thread and join the conversation.
U2.com Subscribers might also want to check in on this thread from the night of the show to catch live updates from other fans as it all kicks off again.
And check out this forum in Zootopia for all the chat from U2.commers about the New Zealand/Australia shows.
U2.com Subscribers might also want to check in on this thread from the night of the show to catch live updates from other fans as it all kicks off again.
And check out this forum in Zootopia for all the chat from U2.commers about the New Zealand/Australia shows.
U2 to Release 'Wide Awake in Europe' on Black Friday
U2 are giving U.S. independent record stores a big boost this holiday season by releasing a new three-track vinyl EP on Friday, Novemeber 26. "Wide Awake in Europe" will be released exclusively to select record stores on America's busiest shopping day of the year, traditionally called Black Friday.
Bass player Adam Clayton tells WENN, "My local record shop introduced me to music I didn't know and I might never have discovered."
Only 5,000 copies of "Wide Awake in Europe" have been pressed. The EP features renditions of fan favorites "Mercy", "Moment of Surrender" and "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight".
source : http://www.aceshowbiz.com/
Bass player Adam Clayton tells WENN, "My local record shop introduced me to music I didn't know and I might never have discovered."
Only 5,000 copies of "Wide Awake in Europe" have been pressed. The EP features renditions of fan favorites "Mercy", "Moment of Surrender" and "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight".
source : http://www.aceshowbiz.com/
Bono : We Underestimated Spider-Man Musical Costs
U2 frontman Bono has admitted that the creators of the forthcoming Spider-Man musical underestimated production costs.
Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark is due to open for previews on Sunday (November 28) in New York following a string of delays.
Bono, who wrote the score to the musical alongside U2 bandmate The Edge, said he was looking forward to the opening.
But he told Billboard that bringing it to the stage had been “easier than we ever could have imagined, harder than we ever thought”.
“I mean, easier in the sense that the music came to us effortlessly” he continued.
“Dreaming up the show, the scale of it, the flying sequence, the pop art opera that it is – that was all pure joy. What we didn’t realise was how difficult it is to stage this stuff, both technically and financially.”
Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark is due to open for previews on Sunday (November 28) in New York following a string of delays.
Bono, who wrote the score to the musical alongside U2 bandmate The Edge, said he was looking forward to the opening.
But he told Billboard that bringing it to the stage had been “easier than we ever could have imagined, harder than we ever thought”.
“I mean, easier in the sense that the music came to us effortlessly” he continued.
“Dreaming up the show, the scale of it, the flying sequence, the pop art opera that it is – that was all pure joy. What we didn’t realise was how difficult it is to stage this stuff, both technically and financially.”
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
We're off to the concert and U2
"We were standing there and Jay-Z walked past, so we said `hey bro' and he said `hey guys'," Ricky said.
Yesterday morning the New Plymouth pair were greeted at Auckland airport by the Cambell Live crew, who filmed them being taken to Mt Smart Stadium to see the concert set-up and their reaction to winning the national competition.
"We were sitting there waiting for the other two finalists to arrive and they said we better announce the winner and it was us," Ricky said.
"Our faces just lit up and we were screaming."
And after the prize of 99 tickets was handed out the boys got a surprise win of 10 inner circle tickets, which allow them to get even closer to the stage – and possibly another close encounter with their new mate Jay-Z, who will open for U2's concerts tomorrow and Friday.
U2 star gets out the camera to look at NZ
Guitarist The Edge has posted a photo of One Tree Hill on his Twitter account two days before the Irish rockers play the first of two shows at Mt Smart Stadium.
The band has a connection to the Auckland landmark - One Tree Hill is the title of their 1987 single written after the death of Bono's New Zealand-born assistant Greg Carroll.
Concert promoters and record label representatives are keeping the band's movements a closely guarded secret.
However it is understood the rockers arrived on Monday morning on an Air New Zealand flight.
The last time U2 was here, in 2006, members stayed at the $25,000-a-night Great Mercury Island estate, owned by Sir Michael Fay, and were choppered to Auckland for concerts.
The private island, off the coast of the Coromandel, give guests access to two homes, 12 beaches and a private chef.
Brian Eno interview: 'Lady Gaga's meat dress? I did it first'
Fashion disasters, electronic music, even the Lib-Con coalition...The super-producer and former Roxy Music wizard saw it all coming
From the annoying music emitted by those miniature games consoles that you see children glued to on the train, to Lady Gaga’s spectacular outfits (prefigured with eerie accuracy in the oft-seen archive clip of the exotically be-feathered Eno playing Virginia Plain with Roxy Music in 1972), to the experimental collaborative mechanisms of the Cameron-Clegg coalition, this impish 62-year-old music producer and artist can be said to have had (at the very least) a hand in a long list of modernity’s most inescapable manifestations.
Yet such is the subliminal nature of Eno’s influence, that when he goes out into the world – for example, campaigning in Tony Blair’s constituency of Sedgefield to have the former prime minister indicted as a war criminal during the general election campaign of 2005 – he often finds that nobody recognises him.
U2.COM - Load-In, Load-In
The stage is set, the crew are in position, it's all systems go for Thursday night in Auckland, New Zealand.
The U2360° Tour has landed down under.
U2's Bono, The Edge Talk About Making 'Spider-Man'
"Easier than we could ever have imagined. Harder than we ever thought," says Bono, resting on a Times Square hotel bed near where "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" is readying for its first preview.
"I mean, easier in the sense that the music came to us effortlessly. Dreaming up the show, the scale of it, the flying sequence, the pop art opera that it is — that was all pure joy," he adds. "What we didn't realize was how difficult it is to stage this stuff, both technically and financially."
It's been a long, strange trip for the rock duo's first attempt at a Broadway show. But the end is in sight: Years of delays and behind-the-scenes shake-ups will end Sunday when the public finally gets to see the reported $60 million musical for the first time. The first preview is naturally sold out.
"Is there jeopardy?" asks Bono, U2's main songwriter and lead singer. "Yes. Because it's technically very difficult. It has never been achieved before — the kind of scale of what we're looking for. There may be very good reasons. We're going to find out. The expense of it? A lot of it was the delays."
Neil McCormick's 10 songs for Ireland
Neil McCormick
Its been a bad week for Ireland. But it could get worse. To compound their international shame (at least according to Andy McLuskey of OMD) Irish X Factor impresario Louis Walsh is looking for a Eurovision song for Jedward.
I have a few suggestions of A Song For Ireland, that would reflect the nation’s current circumstances. I have restricted myself to artists with an Irish connection, which, as it happens, isn’t much of a restriction. We’ve all got a little bit of Irish in us, after all. Thanks to @GaryDunne, @JannieMom and @Juniorc0 on Twitter for their suggestions.
Neil McCormick is the Telegraph's lead music critic. He is a best-selling author and a television and radio pundit. His memoir of a misspent youth as a failed rock star has been filmed as 'Killing Bono' (out next year). You can follow him on twitter @neil_mccormick.
I have a few suggestions of A Song For Ireland, that would reflect the nation’s current circumstances. I have restricted myself to artists with an Irish connection, which, as it happens, isn’t much of a restriction. We’ve all got a little bit of Irish in us, after all. Thanks to @GaryDunne, @JannieMom and @Juniorc0 on Twitter for their suggestions.
Bono: 'U2 owe David Bowie a lot'
U2's Bono has revealed that the band owe much of their success to David Bowie.
The group's frontman admitted that Bowie introduced the band to a new style of singing and stage production, which has seen their success continue for over 30 years.
He told Rolling Stone: "U2 owe him a lot. He introduced us to Berlin and Hansa Studios; to collaborating with Brian Eno.
"It's the high singing, beyond your 'man' voice into the feminine. And there's the staging, the attempt to be innovative.
"Bowie wasn't afraid to use scale, to dramatise things. His setlist was not just a jukebox he could run through. It was drama."
The 'Vertigo' star also described Bowie as a UK version of Elvis, because he caused a "radical shift" in the music scene.
He continued: "It's not exaggerating to say what Elvis meant to America, David Bowie meant to the UK and Ireland. It was that radical a shift in consciousness.
"The first time I saw him was singing 'Starman' on television it was like a creature falling from the sky. Americans put a man on the moon. We had our own British guy from space - with an Irish mother."
source : http://abcnews.go.com/ by Robert Copsey
The group's frontman admitted that Bowie introduced the band to a new style of singing and stage production, which has seen their success continue for over 30 years.
He told Rolling Stone: "U2 owe him a lot. He introduced us to Berlin and Hansa Studios; to collaborating with Brian Eno.
"It's the high singing, beyond your 'man' voice into the feminine. And there's the staging, the attempt to be innovative.
"Bowie wasn't afraid to use scale, to dramatise things. His setlist was not just a jukebox he could run through. It was drama."
The 'Vertigo' star also described Bowie as a UK version of Elvis, because he caused a "radical shift" in the music scene.
He continued: "It's not exaggerating to say what Elvis meant to America, David Bowie meant to the UK and Ireland. It was that radical a shift in consciousness.
"The first time I saw him was singing 'Starman' on television it was like a creature falling from the sky. Americans put a man on the moon. We had our own British guy from space - with an Irish mother."
source : http://abcnews.go.com/ by Robert Copsey
U2.COM : 'Let the games begin...'
Travel day. London to Auckland (day 3)
Singapore to Sydney passed uneventfully, which is all a man can hope for in a flight. I watched Shrek again, well most of it, which helped the mood. Slept again, ate again, reading eluded me a little, so I even did a little work as I was feeling vaguely inspired.
At Sydney airport we were reunited with the crew guys who had come via Bangkok. I found some of them in an airport Chinese restaurant, and some others in a bar but I was in more of an omelette mood, so left them all to it. It felt more than a little surreal to suddenly be in Sydney (I saw the Opera House on our descent, which rather hammered home the point). Having left grey autumnal chill behind in London, a couple of long naps later all is blue skies and sunshine. Walking back to the gate I had the first wave of that feeling where the carpet feels like it’s turning into sponge. Hoards of people walking, pulling rolling bags, backpacks, cases – another take of the Moment of Surrender video. Kids acting up by gate. Surely they could travel as checked baggage?
Singapore to Sydney passed uneventfully, which is all a man can hope for in a flight. I watched Shrek again, well most of it, which helped the mood. Slept again, ate again, reading eluded me a little, so I even did a little work as I was feeling vaguely inspired.
At Sydney airport we were reunited with the crew guys who had come via Bangkok. I found some of them in an airport Chinese restaurant, and some others in a bar but I was in more of an omelette mood, so left them all to it. It felt more than a little surreal to suddenly be in Sydney (I saw the Opera House on our descent, which rather hammered home the point). Having left grey autumnal chill behind in London, a couple of long naps later all is blue skies and sunshine. Walking back to the gate I had the first wave of that feeling where the carpet feels like it’s turning into sponge. Hoards of people walking, pulling rolling bags, backpacks, cases – another take of the Moment of Surrender video. Kids acting up by gate. Surely they could travel as checked baggage?
U2.COM : Rehearsing In Auckland
The band have arrived in New Zealand and been at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland rehearsing for Thursday's AU/NZ tour opener.
There was a surprise for the fans huddled at the Beasley Rd entrance as they ran through Scarlet for the first time.
And New Zealand's favourite U2 song also got some time tonight - Bono introducing it by saying to the assembled fans and crew, 'Tonight we just think about these people who are still under the ground and our hopes and our prayers are with them this evening,' referencing the mining disaster on the country's West Coast.
There was a surprise for the fans huddled at the Beasley Rd entrance as they ran through Scarlet for the first time.
And New Zealand's favourite U2 song also got some time tonight - Bono introducing it by saying to the assembled fans and crew, 'Tonight we just think about these people who are still under the ground and our hopes and our prayers are with them this evening,' referencing the mining disaster on the country's West Coast.
U2's rehearsals in Auckland, Tuesday 23/11
Today, more rehearsals took place at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, and this time it was by the band themselves rather than the crew. However, before detailing today's proceedings, we have some extra information from yesterday, posted on Interference by ramblin rose. Besides the material already featured in this report, the crew soundchecked parts or all of the following songs at some point during the day: Bad, Beautiful Day, Boy Falls From The Sky (unreleased song), Miss Sarajevo, Mysterious Ways, New Year's Day, Return Of The Stingray Guitar (unreleased song), The Unforgettable Fire, Unknown Caller (not yet performed in 2010), and With Or Without You.
Rolling Stone playlist special
The playlist special - Fifty Artists Pick Their Personal Top 10s
Bono : David Bowie
"What I've chosen from David Bowie is very strict. It's my teenage life as a Bowie fan. I am still a Bowie fan. But this was when my heart and mind were very vulnerable to music. And these songs had a real impact. U2 owe him a lot. He introduced us to Berlin and Hansa Studios, to collaborating with Brian Eno. It's the high singing, beyond your 'man' voice into the feminine. And there's the staging, the attempt to be innovative. It has been pointed out that the Claw [the 360˚ stage] looks like the Glass Spider. Bowie wasn't afraid to use scale, to dramatize things. His set list was not just a jukebox he could run through. It was drama."
Beyonce heading to Auckland with Jay-Z?
Online rumours are claiming that Beyonce Knowles will be with her husband Jay-Z in Auckland and attend his performances this week.
Hip-hop superstar Jay-Z is the support act for Irish rock legends U2 at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium this Thursday and Friday.
Fashion blogger Isaac Likes claims to have a source in Universal Music that has confirmed Beyonce is travelling with Jay-Z and that the couple may already be in New Zealand.
Another source has told 3news.co.nz that Beyonce’s name has been seen on a list of guests that will be backstage at Mt Smart Stadium for the shows.
Universal Music New Zealand has today told 3news.co.nz that while they are aware of the rumours, they have not been told anything official regarding Beyonce coming to New Zealand by anyone involved with the concerts.
source : http://www.3news.co.nz/
Hip-hop superstar Jay-Z is the support act for Irish rock legends U2 at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium this Thursday and Friday.
Fashion blogger Isaac Likes claims to have a source in Universal Music that has confirmed Beyonce is travelling with Jay-Z and that the couple may already be in New Zealand.
Another source has told 3news.co.nz that Beyonce’s name has been seen on a list of guests that will be backstage at Mt Smart Stadium for the shows.
Universal Music New Zealand has today told 3news.co.nz that while they are aware of the rumours, they have not been told anything official regarding Beyonce coming to New Zealand by anyone involved with the concerts.
source : http://www.3news.co.nz/
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