Wednesday, November 26, 2014

U2.COM : Rare live set from 1980, now on double vinyl and digitally remastered

Rare live set from 1980, now on double vinyl and digitally remastered. 
Introducing our 2014/15 subscription offer. 


North Side Story brought our subscribers the inside track on U2's formative years. Now this classic 1980 live set captures the sound of that young band as they head out on tour. 

Recorded in a small club, with just a few hundred passionate fans, this vintage live set captures a time when the band were taking songs like The Electric Co, I Will Follow and Out of Control on the road across Ireland and the UK . 

There was no internet or digital downloading in 1980 - even the CD was still to arrive - the band's debut LP Boy was released on vinyl. In keeping with that history, and in tribute to the return of vinyl, as a U2.com subscriber you'll receive this limited edition live set on two 10" vinyl albums in a bespoke gatefold sleeve. 

Like it's companion piece North Side Story, this limited edition release will not be on sale online or in store. 

New subscribers have the option of choosing the double vinyl OR North Side Stories, which also comes with the poster, 'Wandering In U2's Dublin', charting the band's connection to their home city over 35 years. 

As well as this limited edition gift, subscribers to U2.com gain access to distinct content on the site and are first in line for ticket presales when the band head out on tour. 

Subscribe or renew your subscription here. 

The cover, title and tracklisting of this special release will be announced in the next few weeks. Delivery of the physical product is expected in Spring 2015.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

U2.COM : 'Proud'

'I’m already working on the apology… for the apology,' said Bono. 'Because I’m very proud of what we did. It’s one of the proudest moments in U2’s history.'

Talking Songs Of Innocence and on the cover of the new edition of Mojo Magazine.  

Danny Eccleston has the story over 11 pages - here's a taster

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Bono Treated With Metal Plates, 'Intensive Therapy' After Bike Injury

Three days after U2 revealed that lead singer Bono injured his arm in a "cycling spill" requiring surgery, the grim details of the singer's accident and prognosis have been disclosed to Rolling Stone.

While riding his bike through New York's Central Park on Sunday, the singer attempted to avoid another rider and was involved in what doctors have called a "high energy bicycle accident." Bono was rushed to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center's Emergency Department and underwent "multiple X-rays and CAT scans" followed by five hours of surgery. 
The singer suffered numerous serious injuries, including a "facial fracture involving the orbit of his eye," three separate fractures of his left shoulder blade and a fracture of his left humerus bone in his upper arm. The latter injury was particularly damaging, with the bone shattering in six different places and tearing through his skin.
According to orthopedic trauma surgeon Dean Lorich, MD, "[Bono] was taken emergently to the operating room...where the elbow was washed out and debrided, a nerve trapped in the break was moved and the bone was repaired with three metal plates and 18 screws." On Monday, Bono underwent a second surgery to repair a fractured left pinky finger.
While it's still unclear how long the singer will be recuperating, Lorich tells Rolling Stone that Bono will "require intensive and progressive therapy," but "a full recovery is expected."
It remains unknown if Bono's injury will affect the band's upcoming tour, details of which have yet to be revealed. When guitarist the Edge spoke to Rolling Stone in September, he outlined the group's plan for heading back on the road. "The tour is still in the planning stage so it's too early to describe what it will be like," said the guitarist. "I think we will start small. We certainly can't get any bigger than the last tour."

The injury forced the group to postpone a planned weeklong residency on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week. "It looks like we will have to do our Tonight Show residency another time — we're one man down," the band wrote on their website the day of the crash. "Bono has injured his arm in a cycling spill in Central Park and requires some surgery to repair it. We're sure he'll make a full recovery soon, so we'll be back! Much thanks to Jimmy Fallon and everyone at the show for their understanding."
After working on Innocence for two years, the group surprised fans in September by releasing Songs of Innocence for free to anyone with an iTunes account. "We wanted to make a very personal album," Bono told Rolling Stone. "Let's try to figure out why we wanted to be in a band, the relationships around the band, our friendships, our lovers, our family. The whole album is first journeys — first journeys geographically, spiritually, sexually. And that's hard. But we went there."
Full Statement From Dean Lorich, MD on Bono's Condition:
On November 16th, Bono was involved in a high energy bicycle accident when he attempted to avoid another rider.  Presented as a Trauma Alert to New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's Emergency Department, his Trauma Work-up at that time included multiple X-rays and CAT scans showed injuries that include:
1. Left facial fracture involving the orbit of his eye.
2. Left scapula (shoulder blade) fracture in three separate pieces.
3. Left compound distal humerus fracture where the bone of his humerus was driven though his skin and the bone was in six different pieces. He was taken emergently to the operating room for a five-hour surgery Sunday evening where the elbow was washed out and debrided, a nerve trapped in the break was moved and the bone was repaired with three metal plates and 18 screws.
4. One day later, he had surgery to his left hand to repair a fracture of his 5th metacarpal.
He will require intensive and progressive therapy, however a full recovery is expected.
Dean Lorich, MD
Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon
New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Hospital For Special Surgery

source : http://www.rollingstone.com/

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

U2.COM : 'The Show Must Go On...'

How rock'n'roll is Jimmy Fallon ? 
How talented are The Roots?  
When Bono's cycling accident meant the band couldn't make their residency on The Tonight Show this week, one thing was sure, as Jimmy told viewers: 'The Show Must Go On...'
They came up with the next best thing: Jimmy Fallon with The Roots performing 'Desire'. 
How sensational is this performance? 

U2 'FILMS OF INNOCENCE' MOVIE AVAILABLE ON ITUNES DECEMBER 9TH

Surprise, surprise: U2 is set to release a new long-form video next month called Films Of Innocence, featuring the work of 11 different artists/creatives making visuals out of U2's Songs Of Innocence album.
The film seems to only be listed right now on the iTunes Music Store, and it may be an exclusive there as part of U2's recent partnership with Apple. The release date is listed as December 9th, and the film can be pre-ordered now for $12.99 (USD) for HD, or $9.99 for standard. You can use that link to read about it and watch a 40-second trailer. The film is also currently featured in the gallery atop the Movies section of the iTunes store.
The description for Films Of Innocence is as follows:
11 of the world's most acclaimed urban artists unveil their work through a collection of art films, inspired by U2's Songs of Innocence. Taking the political murals of Northern Ireland as a reference point, U2 pioneered the project to celebrate the unique democratic power of urban art. Oliver Jeffers, Robin Rhode, D*Face, Mode 2, Chloe Early, Ganzeer, Vhils, Maser, ROA, DALeast, and Todd James make up this global multidisciplinary group project. Chosen for their undisputed ability to capture the imaginations of their audiences, the artists were given complete creative freedom to showcase their personal responses to U2's music, through a series of part-animated, part live action films. The result is an exhilarating display of diversity in approach, style and commentary. Powerful and cognizant, their works scale the globe, play with time, and weave between heightened reality and animated dreamscapes. United for the first time in film, the eleven international artists have taken their work from the streets to the screen. These original works of video art transpose their visions from the physical to the digital and are collected here together as a visual counter-point to the album, a set of unique and compelling Films of Innocence.
Jefferson Hack is credited as the film's director and Lois Newcombe as producer.
(Thanks to Chris Rotondo for the tip on Twitter.)

source : http://www.atu2.com/ by Matt McGee

Monday, November 17, 2014

U2.COM : 'A World Outside Your Window...'

Bono is among a galaxy of stars taking part in a new version of  'Do They Know It's Christmas?' raising funds to tackle Ebola in West Africa.

One Direction, Rita Ora, Ed Sheeran, Chris Martin,  Angelique Kidjo, Jessie Ware, Paloma Faith, Elbow, Emelie Sande, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, Seal and Sinead O’Connor are all part of Band Aid 30,  put together once again by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.

The pair first organised the Band Aid supergroup in 1984, raising £8million for the victims of the Ethiopia famine.

Here's how you can back the cause

U2.COM : From Edge, Adam & Larry:

It looks like we will have to do our Tonight Show residency another time - we're one man down. Bono has injured his arm in a cycling spill in Central Park and requires some surgery to repair it. We're sure he'll make a full recovery soon, so we'll be back! Much thanks to Jimmy Fallon and everyone at the show for their understanding.

Friday, November 14, 2014

U2.COM : Bambi Awards, Berlin [video]

Great reception in Berlin tonight, as the band were honoured at the Bambi Awards.

And another wonderful performance of 'Every Breaking Wave', complete with string section.

More news and photos as we get them. (Did you catch the show? Let us know in the comments.)

Video link ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww_pjoG_UQo

U2.COM : LIP SYNC

'If you've ever wanted to see yourself singing with U2, this is your chance..'

The band are guests of Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show in New York next week and it's your chance to perform... with the band.

This is how it works:  take a short video of yourself lip syncing along to 'The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)'  and upload it to YouTube with the title 'Tonight Show U2 Lip Sync'. 

Then we'll see you on the show next week... 

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Bono cheats death after private jet door falls off: U2 singer 'extremely lucky' after plane's tailgate becomes detached during flight to Berlin with four friends

  • Tailgate of Bono's Learjet came off as it flew 8,000ft over the German coast
  • Entire door along with Bono and his companions’ luggage fell out mid-air
  • The plane landed safely minutes later at Berlin's Schoenefeld Airport
  • Irish rock star had been travelling to Germany to accept a music award 

  • Bono and four friends cheated death yesterday when a rear door of their private jet fell off mid-flight.
    The Irish rock star was on board the Learjet 60 D-CGEO making the two-hour afternoon trip from Dublin to Berlin.
    He was the only member of U2 on the plane, as bandmates Larry Mullen, the Edge and Adam Clayton were due to fly separately late last night.
    The group were lined up to accept an award at the Bambi International Music awards in Berlin, but Bono flew out early to attend a diplomatic function with the German minister of economic cooperation and development, Gerd Mueller.
    But when Bono and his crew reached the German coast, flying at about 8,000ft, the tailgate of the plane became detached.
    A source close to the singer told the Irish Daily Mail: ‘He was extremely lucky, the plane could have gone down. About an hour into the journey they heard a big thud coming from the rear of the plane.
    ‘They were startled for a bit but they continued on and made the descent into Berlin airport. When they landed they were horrified to learn that the compartment at the rear of the plane had completely detached.
    ‘The entire door along with Bono and his companions’ luggage had fallen out mid-air. They don’t know if the door and the contents landed over water or land but they were extremely lucky. They were at an altitude where anything could have happened and they are all feeling very lucky to be alive.’
    Aviation authorities in Germany have launched an official probe into the incident as it began its descent into Berlin's Schoenefeld Airport.
    His £50million Learjet 60 was preparing for landing when at 12.27pm on Wednesday an 80 x 100 cm chunk of its door was ripped off. 
    The door was outside the pressurised area of the cabin so there was no loss of pressure and no need to don oxygen masks.

    source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

    Monday, November 10, 2014

    U2.COM : 'Swept Off Our Feet...'

    'Summer I was fearless
    Now I speak into an answer phone
    Like every falling leaf on the breeze
    Winter wouldn’t leave it alone...'


    Powerful performance of Every Breaking Wave for the 2014 MTV EMA in Glasgow last night. 

    As they report on the EMA site (which, for some countries, includes video), 'Bono took to the stage with the band’s guitarist, The Edge, who played piano during the performance shortly after the show’s host, Nicki Minaj, accepted the award for Best Hip-Hop.
     'The band silenced the SSE Hydro with Bono showing off his incredible vocal ability dressed in a black leather jacket, jeans and wearing his signature sunglasses.'

    Did you catch the band last night? Tell us about in the comments below.




    Friday, November 7, 2014

    U2.COM : Coming Up...

    With visits to Glasgow, Berlin and New York coming up, here's what we know.

    On Sunday night, the band will be in Glasgow to perform at the 2014 MTV EMA Awards. This is the fourth time U2 have been part of the MTV EMA, having performed in Rotterdam in 1997, Stockholm in 2000 and from Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate in 2009.  All you need to know here

    In Berlin, next Thursday, the band will be presented with the BAMBI Award for International Music - - and performing. 

    Here's how the BAMBI jury describe U2's award.
    'Since their early days in Dublin, U2 knew how to channel their fans’ emotions through their music and to combine them with impassioned statements. They tackle the mistakes we make as we grow and youthful outrage at an imperfect and unjust world. U2 create rock music with attitude and poetic texts that Bono, their charismatic singer, verbalises with his unique voice. Guitarist The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen, Jr. provide the unmistakeable U2 sound of strong rhythms and melodies.'

    A few days later the band will be in New York, moving into Late Night With Jimmy Fallon for a week long residency - starting Monday November 17th. Back in February, the band appeared on Jimmy Fallon's debut on The Tonight Show performing 'Invisible' and a stripped back version of 'Ordinary Love'.

    More news as we get it.

    U2 RETURNS TO THE MTV EMA STAGE

    MTV is proud to announce that U2, one of the greatest rock bands of all time, will perform at the2014 MTV EMA!  This will be the fourth time U2 have been part of the MTV EMA—they performed 'Pop Muzik / Mofo' in Rotterdam in 1997, 'Beautiful Day' in Stockholm in 2000, and and 'One / Magnificent' and 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' with Jay Z from Berlin's Brandenburg Gate in 2009.

    U2 join a stellar lineup that includes host/performer Nicki Minaj and fellow performers Enrique Iglesias, Calvin Harris, Charli XCX, Kiesza, Royal Blood, Ariana Grande, and Ed SheeranYou don't want to miss our epic 20th anniversary show! It all goes down Sunday 9 November at 9pm CET.


    source : http://gr.mtvema.com/

    Wednesday, November 5, 2014

    U2.COM : 'Where We Are Now'

    The new edition of Hot Press has just hit the streets. 

    Olaf Tyaransen caught up with the band on the plane to Germany. Here's some of the highlights.

    On Dublin

    'Once we figured out that it was about Dublin and our lyrical connection to the city, this kind of playground...we started working on ideas and it became evident that we actually had a two-record set coming into focus. Songs of Experience would be the forward-looking, maybe a bit more experimental, futuristic take on things. Bono has been playing around with some very interesting lyrical ideas, one of which is the old Bono and the younger Bono actually managing to have some conversations which I think is a great idea...'
    Edge


    On Songs Of Innocence

    'It absolutely represents where we are as a band that's been around for a long time. I'm always a little bit wary about that thing of looking back and trying to rationalise where you came from, but I think in certain ways,  it revitalised some of the things that made us. Looking back on that energy and intuition that we had as 18-year olds, as 20-year olds... it's amazing that we got from there to where we are now.'
    Adam


    On The Album Cover
    'I'm holding onto him, but what you don't see in the picture is that he's holding on to me as well. There's 18 years in that picture and there's emotion and heartbreak and love and pain and all those things.. and nobody will know what that is. It's public but it's still got that intimacy and that's between him and I...' 
    Larry


    On Dealing With Negative Reactions

    'I have an umbrella. I've had it with me for 30 years now. When the shit-storm comes, as it continually does, I just put it up. You know the thing about (the song) 'Cedarwood Road', I realised that a lot of me still lives there. I'm still on that street. Still need an enemy. The worst ones,  I can't say. I almost like all this. I must just need a row to get up out of bed in the morning because I keep finding myself in them...' 
    Bono

    Tuesday, November 4, 2014

    All U2 Announce Weeklong Residency on ‘The Tonight Show’

    By Kevin Rutherford
    The residencies just keep coming.
    After a weeklong spot on The Late Show with David Letterman in October by the Foo Fighters and a recently announced upcoming gig by Metallica on The Late Late Show, U2 have announced they’ll come to The Tonight Show for a full week later this month.
    Show host Jimmy Fallon made the announcement that Bono and co. will come to the late night show for a week starting Nov. 17, Stereogum reports. They’ll sort of contend with Metallica for attention that week, though the shows are in different time slots — allowing rock fans to get a full taste of both of rock’s elder statesmen throughout the week.

    Currently, there’s no word on if the band will appear on the show in any other capacity that week. When the Foo Fighters came to Letterman, frontman Dave Grohl was also one of the special guests early in the week, taking a seat on Letterman’s couch to discuss new album Sonic Highways. The full band also appeared in sketches, including a top 10 list at week’s end.
    U2 will be promoting their surprise new album Songs of Innocence, which was uploaded to Apple accounts the world over in September in an unprecedented move that saw the record distributed for free — and saw many irked at the release rollout. Songs of Innocence is now out in a physical format as well.

    source : http://radio.com/

    Monday, November 3, 2014

    U2.COM : 'Let's Keep Going...'

    Rolling Stone couldn't fit everything from their time with the band into their cover story (which you can read here) so they've added an online-only story. Here's some highlights - read it all here.


    On Keeping Going

    'Why would you want to stop? This is actually the best bit. We're really enjoying this, let's keep going.' (Adam)

    On The Songs Of Innocence Acoustic Sessions 

    'I saw the Edge with his head in his hands, and he said, 'It's taken us three years to finish this album, and you're saying we have to do another album in a week?' (Bono)

    On Guitar-Based Music
    'I don't fear for guitar-based music long-term, I just think we need some better songs out there. And I like my music to be a little bit more defiant. There's not a lot of defiance right now. It's gone very mild and meek.' (Edge)

    On Decision Making 
    'Some decisions are not welcomed, or aren't popular, but I'm not in a popularity contest. I'm in a band.' (Larry)

    On No Line On The Horizon
    'Esoteric' would be a good way to describe No Line on the Horizon. It had a certain introspective darkness to it and I'm always going to be interested in the sort of darker, more melancholy musical mood. But we might have slid a little bit too strongly in that direction, and we wanted this record to be accessible to a wider range of music fans.' (Edge)