U2 Tops Forbes List
June 18, 2011
There seems to be no end in sight for U2′s potential for wealth accumulation. This little four-piece act from Dublin topped Forbes annual list of the highest earning musicians in the world, beating out other crowd faves Bon Jovi, Elton John, Lady GaGa and others. After stealing the top grossing touring act title from the Rolling Stones, they now seem intent on ruling the world.
Spider-MONSTER
June 17, 2011
Now that Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is finally out of previews, the producers over at Sesame Street thought it’d be safe game to do a parody of the most expensive stage show ever. Not only that, but they’ve gone so far as to bring Bono into the mix. If you’ve ever been interested in what Bono would look like as a muppet (it’s not particularly flattering either)…
Spider-Man Reviews
June 16, 2011
After months and months of delays the way over budget U2-backed Spider-Man Musical, Turn off the Dark premiered in Manhattan. Critics previously panned the production which went through over 170 previews but recent reviews seem to have softened little to revisions made to the script. In short:
- New stunts and aerial choreography add to the “wow” factor
- Script and music are still boring
- Embarrassing
- Crowd-pleasing
- Former President Bill Clinton in a press release called the show fabulous
You can see something more along the lines of embarrassing in the clip below:
Bono Hitchhikes
June 15, 2011
While in Vancouver recently, Bono was inadvertently left behind in a rainstorm (would love to hear the story behind that one) and took to hitchhiking his way back to camp when he was picked up by none other than NHL Oiler Gilbert Brule and his girlfriend. In exchange for the good deed, Bono comped Brule and his girlfriend two tickets to the show in Edmonton. Check out All I Want is You from the Edmonton show:
U2 in Space
June 13, 2011
In a touching moment during U2′s recent set in Seattle, astronaut Mark Kelly, husband to recently injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, sent his wife, and everyone at the concert, a message from space via big screen. Kelly, suspended in a zero gravity situation, floats cardboard words that communicate the message, “It’s a Beautiful Day,” before U2 rocked out to their hit song. You can watch the video below:
U2 + Danger Mouse = New Album in 2012
June 10, 2011
While on their two-year long U2 360 tour, Bono, The Edge, Larry, and Adam still found time to write music for a Broadway show and work with two producers on material for a new album. Lady GaGa veteran RedOne and the ubiquitous Danger Mouse were the lucky producers who worked with Dublin’s own fab four. Despite rumors of U2 wanting to do a big dance album, the band felt that their work with Danger Mouse better represented their strengths. Unfortunately, with the end of their tour to tend to, not to mention wives, families, etc., the new album will have to wait until next year. The band were sincerely “gutted” over the decision but in the end it probably means a better album. You can see the band’s reworking of the song Magnificent off their last album No Line on the Horizon below:
Last Leg
June 8, 2011
After two years on the road and with only 20 more dates left, the U2 360 tour is clearly on its last leg. The current U2 tour has lasted so long that crew members have conceived and given birth to babies over the course of it. That’s longevity! Not only have waist sizes changed but setlists have also transformed, sampling hits from the band’s more electronic-based albums Achtung Baby, Zooropa and Discotheque. U2 is also reworking some of their newer material like Magnificent for live audiences. Check out The Edge talking about the tour:
Bono and The Edge on American Idol
June 3, 2011
Did you catch Bono and The Edge playing new material from the Spider-Man musical on American Idol? Check out the video below. Almost makes you want to go just for the music despite the tacky acrobatics.
U2 Officially the Biggest Band of All Time
June 1, 2011
U2 recently surpassed The Rolling Stones to become the highest grossing touring act of all time. This is no small feat considering that The Stones have been around longer and haven’t stopped touring. U2 has revolutionized the touring game with their extravagant stage presence and technologically astounding multimedia presentations. Still, despite all the pretty lights, they’ve managed to keep everyone’s attention on the music. U2 swung by the Billboard Awards top pick up their award and probably caught a glimpse of the show stopping Rihanna-Britney pole dancing/pillow fighting duel. will.i.am. from the Black Eyed Peas presented the award to U2.
U2 Blasts Off in Denver
May 31, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Finally!!! After months of waiting while U2 toured South America and Mexico, they’ve arrived in North America to kick-off the U2 360 Tour in their second home, the good ole US of A. The band sounded better than ever and played a diverse setlist (see below) consisting of hits from their entire catalog. U2 has some great videos up on their website from the entire tour.
Set: Even Better Than The Real Thing, I Will Follow, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Until the End of the World, All I Want Is You, Stay, Beautiful Day – Here Comes the Sun, Pride, Miss Sarajevo, Zooropa, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I’ll Go Crazy (remix) – Discotheque – Please, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Scarlet, Walk On – You’ll Never Walk Alone
Encores: One, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow – Where the Streets Have No Name, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender
