Search Results for: U2

You can’t blame U2’s concert promoter for wondering just how big the band’s Vertigo world tour could have been if it had simply kept on playing. After all, not one ticket went unsold for the 131 shows on the trek, which began March 28, 2005, in San Diego and wrapped December 9 in front of 47,000 fans at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium. Having been on the road in fits and starts since March 2005, U2 was clearly in a celebratory mood in Hawaii, as Bono danced onstage with a woman from the crowd during “Mysterious Ways” and even pulled a lucky… Read more »

With its monster-selling Vertigo world tour complete, U2 may be ready to rock less, according to frontman Bono “Our band has certainly reached the end of where we’ve been at for the last couple of albums,” the newly dubbed honorary knight said during a BBC Radio interview earlier this week. “I want to see what else we can do with it, take it to the next level; I think that’s what we’ve got to do.” Asked if that might mean a move away from rock ‘n’ roll, Bono replied, “We’re gonna continue to be a band, but maybe the rock… Read more »

San Diego – You know it was a powerful show if every single seat in the arena is still occupied by fans singing at the top of their lungs even after the band is done and the house lights go up. That was the scene Monday at the San Diego Sports Arena, where U2 kicked off their Vertigo Tour with a two-hour celebration of the new and the old and a few favorites in between, including a grand finale of “40” that felt more like the end of an Easter service than a rock concert the night after. “We haven’t… Read more »

If you thought digging deep in your wallet for some pricey U2 tickets guaranteed admittance to a career-spanning, greatest hits-style show – well, it may not be in the cards. The Irish superstars have been hiding out in Vancouver’s GM Place, rehearsing and readying to embark on their upcoming tour, but a fan website managed to get ahold of one of the band’s practice setlists and it’s largely composed of new material. Despite having more than two decades of musical goodness to draw from, the U2 rehearsal set heavily favoured their newer material. Of the 21 songs, seven came from… Read more »

New York – Irish rockers U2 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, led by their charismatic singer Bono, whose work on behalf of Africa’s poor have also earned him status as a political statesman. The 20th annual ceremony on Monday night at New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel also honored The Pretenders, led by singer-guitarist Chrissie Hynde, soul veterans Percy Sledge and The O’Jays as well as blues-guitar great Buddy Guy as members of rock’s elite. “(U2) are the keepers of some of the most beautiful sonic architecture in the rock-and-roll world,” said rocker Bruce Springsteen while… Read more »

New York – Bono is now another type of frontman: U2’s lead singer – and most recognizable face – is charged with raising awareness and interest in the new fashion brand Edun. The casual collection of jeans, T-shirts, chiffon dresses and shrunken blazers is Bono’s brainchild. He’s out there promoting it (most recently at a launch party at Manhattan’s flagship Saks Fifth Avenue) and he’s wearing it, showing off his Edun jeans paired with his signature wraparound sunglasses. “I’m here to try to get the sound on the radio, if you know what I mean,” Bono says. He joins scores… Read more »

If you were worried about missing U2 on their spring tour, don’t fret: The band will be back in North America for a fall swing that will see them playing multiple-night stands in a number of big cities. The 33-date, four-month tour will begin on September 12 with a pair of shows at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto and wind its way through Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Dallas, Miami, Cleveland and Salt Lake City, winding up on December 19 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. No opening acts have been announced. The first leg of the tour… Read more »

U2 may have disappointed Canadians when they only announced one stop here for their Vertigo tour, but the band love our country enough to set up camp here a month before the tour begins. The Canadian Press reports U2 are taking over Vancouver’s GM Place for the next month to rehearse for the tour. There’s been no official announcement from ClearChannel Entertainment – the tour’s promoter – if the band will be in Vancouver. There’s been reports of trucks lining up in the GM Place parking lot, however, so suspicions are high. This isn’t the first band to stay in… Read more »

New York – Bruce Springsteen is returning the favor to Bono. U2’s talkative frontman, who gave memorable stream-of-consciousness speeches inducting Bob Marley and Springsteen into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will be saluted by Springsteen when the Boss inducts U2 next month. Springsteen’s no slouch in the induction speech department: He slyly noted last year how inductee Jackson Browne ‘s audience always seemed to be filled with women. Justin Timberlake will board the “Love Train” to pay tribute to the O’Jays in next month’s ceremony. B.B. King and Eric Clapton will team to induct bluesman Buddy Guy, Rod… Read more »

Bono might have faced Killers and Velvet Revolvers at the Grammys – but for his next challenge, the singer will take on Pope John Paul, former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko. Bono is among the 166 nominees for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize, according to Reuters. This is the second time the singer has been nominated for his philanthropic efforts, with his last nod in 2003. The U2 frontman has been a longtime campaigner for AIDS awareness and the elimination of Third World debt. “We have received 166 nominations so far, of which 29… Read more »