'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?

The final leg was fine, though the novelty of aviation was certainly wearing off at this point. I did, however, finally get into my book, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, and snorted through a hundred pages or so. It’s a strange and circuitous story, being the ramblings of an apartment building concierge in Paris, but it’s got me now.

A couple of hours later, I looked away from the book and out of the window. I was quite taken aback by the view – down below was endless, unbroken, deep blue sea, whilst up above was endless, unbroken, deep blue sky. The two vast planes both stretched beyond my peripheral vision and were of almost identical colour, the sky perhaps becoming darker as it stretched into deep space. Their only separation was a line of fluffy white clouds way in the distance, rather appropriately smoothing away the line of the horizon. The emptiness of both is what was so startling, brightly lit in sunshine, everything so intensely crisp and clear. I was looking down at a planet entirely of water, it seemed, and the curve of the earth was clearly apparent. Does this mean that the water is curved? Obviously it does, relative to my viewpoint anyway, which I suppose means that every ‘flat’ body of water is also curved, albeit ever so slightly. I know, I know… I’d been up a long while at this point.

Finally, finally we descended into a cloudy Auckland, completing what I’m pretty sure is the longest flight I’ve ever undertaken. (Regular readers may remember the fantastic debacle of getting from Santiago to Perth on the PopMart tour – an epic saga of missed connections resulting in a four day journey, but that at least involved a couple of hotels, as opposed to today’s straight shot.) Auckland airport was conveniently empty so we coasted through immigration and to baggage claim (at which point I noticed that my flies were undone and presumably had been for whole of the last flight. I recall thinking that the chap sitting next to me had looked a little twitchy, but I’d put it down to being a nervous flyer.)

Picked up my bag (always a relief) and found a driver waiting for me, so we drove into the city, passing the familiar wooden, tin-roofed bungalows popular in these parts. It’s a gloomy afternoon but I’ve rarely been so glad to be on terra firma. It’s 4pm and somehow I need to stay up until 10ish to stand a ghost of a chance in the great hand-to-hand combat with consciousness that is jet-lag. Let the games begin.Previous Entry Diary - All Willie Diaries - Next Diary Entry

U2.com

Aung San Suu Kyi Released – 1 Down, 2,202 To Go
November 13, 2010



Aung San Suu Kyi Released – 1 Down, 2,202 To Go

Burma Campaign UK today welcomed the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, but warned that the release should not be interpreted as a sign that democratic reform is on the way. Burma Campaign UK also called for the immediate release of 2,202 political prisoners who remain in detention.

“The release of Aung San Suu Kyi is about public relations, not democratic reform,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK. “I am thrilled to see our democracy leader free at last, but the release is not part of any political process, instead it is designed to get positive publicity for the dictatorship after the blatant rigging of elections on 7th November. We must not forget the thousands of other political prisoners still suffering in Burma’s jails.”

It is the third time Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from house arrest. The last time she was released, in 2002, it was part of a UN-led initiative to try to persuade Burma’s dictatorship to enter into dialogue leading to a transition to democracy. However, when the time came for substantive discussions the dictatorship refused to continue the dialogue. At the current time there is no such UN effort. The focus of the international community has instead been on a failed effort to ensure elections were free and fair.

The international community should use the release of Aung San Suu Kyi as an opportunity to apply pressure on the dictatorship to enter into genuine dialogue.

For many years the United Nations Security Council, United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Human Rights Council, United Nations Secretary General, European Union, ASEAN, USA and even China has stated that the way to bring genuine change in Burma is for dialogue between the democracy movement, including the NLD, genuine ethnic representatives, and the dictatorship. The jargon used to describe this dialogue is tri-partite dialogue. This dialogue should lead to national reconciliation and a transition to democracy.

A revived UN-led effort to secure such dialogue, with strong backing from world leaders and the United Nations Security Council, must be the top priority. This must not be delegated to a new low-level UN envoy. The UN must learn from the failures of previous UN envoys, such as Razali Ismail, who did not have the strong international backing he needed, and Ibrahim Gambari, who tried a ‘hug a General’ approach of befriending the Generals, which failed miserably.

“The international community must seize the opportunity of Aung San Suu Kyi’s release to increase pressure on the dictatorship to enter into dialogue,” said Zoya Phan. “Ban Ki-Moon must personally take the lead in persuading the dictatorship to start genuine negotiations with Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic groups.”

Burma Campaign UK has produced a detailed briefing paper on Aung San Suu Kyi, which provides a basic history, as well as analysis and information on past actions and future options for the international community. The briefing is available here

U2.com

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'Cautious Joy'

U2 have responded to the news of Aung San Suu Kyi's release today.

'There is a cautious joy amongst the campaigners for Aung San Suu Kyi's release. Over the years we have feared for her life, and until Burma's leadership better reflects its people, we should continue to be vigilant in our concern.

'For a life denied the basic freedoms, she has lived so vividly in the minds of her people and supporters and accomplished so much. By putting the people of Burma's interests above her own, she has lived in stark contrast with her oppressors. Her struggle has become a symbol for all humanity, of what we are capable of - best and worst. Her very grace so infuriating to the bully government whose brutish gorging of the country's rich resources have left the people of Burma poor and hungry.

We can only pray that those in the junta who decided on her release will start to see sense and seize this opportunity to begin a genuine dialogue towards democracy. We will know they are serious when they release the other 2,202 prisoners denied a life for the crime of wanting to believe an election result.'

U2.com

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Aung San Suu Kyi's first days of freedom
Burmese pro-democracy leader is greeted by cheering crowds in Rangoon

Saturday 13 November 2010 11.39 GMT



guardian

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 20 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: Sold-out at the Ritz / Rain with great spirit / Finishing POP / U2 sing for Omagh victims / Dalla´s b-day / U2 filmed scenes for Window In The Skies with 300 extras at the pub / U2 and Green Day Release 'The Saints Are Coming' Raises Funds for Music Rising-Download Available Via iTunes With Proceeds for Charity / The Joshua Tree, remastered, is released today in the US with the video for Red Hill Mining Town ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DALLAS!


"Boy" tour - november 20, 1980 - U2 perform in Blackpool, England at the Polytechnic School.

"October" tour - november 20, 198 - U2 perform in New York, NY, USA at the Ritz. A sign of their growing popularity, tonight is the first of three consecutive sold-out shows at the Ritz in New York City.

"ZOOTV - New Zooland/ Japan" tour - november 20, 1993 - U2 perform in Brisbane, Australia at Anz Stadium. It rains throughout the show but it doesn´t dampen spirits among the cheerful crowd.

"U2 wraps recording on new album" - november 20, 1996. U2 completes recording of its new album. Mixing is still to take place, with a March release date scheduled. The band's "studio-cam" closes down with a shot of a markerboard which reads, "Elvis Has Hacked His Way Out Of The Building."

"U2 sing for Omagh victims on Irish TV" - november 20, 1998. U2 appear on a special edition of Irish TV program "The Late Late Show." The show is a tribute to the victims of the Omagh bombing earlier this year. U2 open the show with "North and South of the River," their first live performance of the song, and close the show with "All I Want Is You."

"Elevation" tour - november 20, 2001 - Sacramento / CA - Arco Arena. Bono dances on stage with a female fan during 'Angel of Harlem.' Gwen Stefani joins in singing 'What's Going On.' Before 'One,' Bono tells the crowd it's Dallas Schoo's birthday. Bono gives the mic to a fan who leads the crowd in singing 'Happy Birthday' to Edge's longtime guitar tech.

U2 filmed scenes for Window In The Skies with 300 extras at the pub - November 20, 2006 -

The song will be the next release from their new compilation 18 Singles. Bono talked with fans before entering the venue, coming straight from a meeting with Treasurer Peter Costello. The extras all signed confidentiality clauses. Scenes were shot inside the bandroom and on the rooftop beer garden. U2 also filmed footage at their Melbourne concert on Saturday, which is expected to be used on a DVD. photos: brianrosco - On location with director Gary Koepke, filming took place with 300 fans at The Corner Hotel in Richmond. Many had been at Fridays Make Poverty History concert as well as both Telstra Dome shows... but this was just a little more intimate! Window in the Skies will be the next U2 single and is the eighteenth track on 'U218 SIngles' which is released worldwide today. Photos by John Mckay: Bono and John Mckay - Edge - Edge signing

U2 and Green Day Release 'The Saints Are Coming' Raises Funds for Music Rising - Download Available Via iTunes With Proceeds for Charity - November 20, 2006 - Music Rising announced Saturday that the download for the much anticipated "The Saints Are Coming" collaboration between legendary rock groups U2 and Green Day is now available via iTunes in the U.S. The song has topped the charts throughout Europe since its release.

The Joshua Tree, remastered, is released today in the US - November 20, 2007 - The Joshua Tree, remastered, is released today in the US. To celebrate, is released too a video you might not have seen. Directed by Neil Jordan, the video for Red Hill Mining Town has only now been officially released - on the bonus DVD that comes with the Box Set format of the album.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY DALLAS!


Health, peace, love and much more success Dallas! Thank you so much to be so close to The Edge! I wish your dreams come true!

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 19 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: last night in Australia / Edge and Bono sing "Wild Honey" to a young girl which is on stage / 95th 'VERTIGO' show: Members the family of Dr Martin Luther King were at the attendance-"MLK"-U2 confirms Vertigo dates down under / U218 is released in Dublin / 125th 'VERTIGO' show: Bono got to introduce 'Saints' as 'our Number One single from our new album which is released today'/ Saints' helmet for auction (NFL)

"Boy" tour - november 19, 1980 - U2 perform in Wolverhampton, England at the Polytechnic School. Support is "Medium Medium".

"LoveTown" tour - november 19, 1989 - Sydney / Australia / Entertainment Centre. The third night is the last night in Australia, "Thank you so much," Bono addresses the crowd, "We've been here for over two months now. You have worn us out! Somebody, somewhere, please make sure it's not five years 'till we're next back in Australia..." Anne Louise Kelly of the U2 management team brings champagne on stage during "Party Girl". All three shows are filmed by Australian filmmaker Richard Lowenstein and are aired in a documentary that airs in Australia and Europe later in the year. Two female singers, Cheri and Zan, provide backing vocals for all three nights' encores

"Elevation" tour - november 19, 2001- Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center. 'Out of Control' includes a couple of lyrics from 'Into the Heart.' A young girl is brought on stage for 'Wild Honey,' and Bono and the Edge sing the song to her. During 'Bad,' Bono takes a cell phone from the audience and sings the 2nd half of the song into it. During 'Streets,' Bono takes an American flag from the audience, and runs a lap around the heart with the flag trailing behind him.

95th 'VERTIGO' show - November 19, 2005 / Atlanta, GA - Venue: Philips Arena - Opening Act(s): Institute - Members the family of Dr Martin Luther King were at the attendance / "MLK"! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day, Happy Birthday, Original of the Species, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One, MLK. Encore(s): Until the End of the World, Mysterious Ways, With or Without You, The First Time (acoustic), Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Bad. MLK is added after One tonight. Members of the King family are at the show. Photos interference - U2gigs

U2 confirms Vertigo dates down under - november 19, 2005. U2 confirms a set of Vertigo Tour dates today for Australia and New Zealand. The 4th leg of the Vertigo Tour will begin in Auckland on March 17, 2006, and continue for two weeks in Australia. Additional dates in other countries are still to be announced.

U218 is released in Dublin - November 19, 2006 - Hardy U2 fans were rewarded with exclusive band goodies after queuing at midnight for the group's new album. HMV in Dublin's Grafton Street was mobbed by a large crowd hoping to get the first copies of U218. The album is the first single disc collection to span the band's career from 1980 to 2004. It features top hits from four decades, including tracks from their back catalogue of albums from Boyto How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. The first 10 females and the first 10 males in the queue last night got U2 merchandise such as hoodies and baseball caps. Fans visiting the store last night also had their photographs taken with the famous Macnas U2 heads.

125th 'VERTIGO' show November 19, 2006 - Australia / Melbourne - Telstra Dome - Bono got to introduce 'Saints' as 'our Number One single from our new album which is released today'. Today's show was the second of two in Melbourne, and the last of U2's seven Australian shows. The band performed a stellar setlist that contained two very notable surprises: the first performance of The First Time since march 2, 2006 and the first performance of Bad since frebruary 12, 2006. The band also performed Party Girl to celebrate seven very successful shows in Australia, and pulled it off significantly better than the performance six days ago in Sydney; Bono even observed that U2 "screwed up" the Sydney performance, but claimed it happened in Adelaide! Another surprise in the set was New Year's Day relinquishing its spot for I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. Between Beautiful Day and Angel Of Harlem, Edge had some considerable guitar troubles, prompting Bono to ask "is Edgeworld blowing up?" Edge exclaims "thank you, Sydney!" He then corrected this with "thank you Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, but especially MELBOURNE!" City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo-She Loves You (snippet)-Beds Are Burning (snippet) / Elevation-Spinning Around (snippet) / Until The End Of The World / I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Beautiful Day-Blackbird (snippet) / Angel Of Harlem / The First Time / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own-Torna A Surriento (snippet) / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet The Blue Sky-When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)-The Hands That Built America (snippet) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One-Unchained Melody (snippet) / Encore(s): The Fly / Mysterious Ways / With Or Without You / The Saints Are Coming / Party Girl / Kite / Bad-Ruby Tuesday (snippet)-40 (snippet). Photos U2gigs



Saints' helmet for auction (NFL)- November 19, 2006 - NFL's auction: U2 and Green Day (all members) signed proline Saints helmet. nfl

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 18 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: tightness in his chest /...We got Luke Dalton(The Edge) on guitar, ladies & gentlemen!.../ a bomb during a concert / "Achtung Baby" is released / Elvis impersonator / 94th 'VERTIGO' show: Happy B-Day Joe O´Herlihy-Bono gave one shout to New Orleans clean-up volunteers / 124th 'VERTIGO' show: Australia-Melbourne-Telstra Dome / "The Saints Are Coming" is the 1st in Brazil / Clarence finally get go-ahead for €150m hotel plan / Wave After Wave (U2.com video) / Oscar organizers choose MTV awards vet Hamish Hamilton to direct show / Bono and Wyclef Jean Receive RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights' Ripple of Hope Award - Honor Recognizes Courageous and Innovative Approaches to Human Rights !

"Boy" tour - november 18, 1980 - U2 perform in Reading, England at the University. Support is "Medium Medium".

"October" tour - november 18, 1981- U2 perform in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Ripley's Music Hall. During "I Will Follow", Bono feels tightness in his chest and starts singing, and during the bridge he sings "I need some air...I can't breath...", and a roadie turns a fan on him, and Bono: ...Ahhh, thank you...

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 18, 1987 - U2 perform in Los Angeles, California at Memorial Coliseum. The Olympic Torch at the Coliseum is lit before the encore begins with "Star Spangled Banner," marking only the fourth time the torch fire burns -- it had burned twice for the Olympics and once for a visit by the Pope. U2 open for themselves: Wearing cowboy hats and wigs, they fool the crowd into believing that they are the "Dalton Brothers". On the second night, "The Dalton Brothers" return to stage, this time however, some in the crowd get the joke. "Right," Alton Dalton/Bono calls out, "we play two kinds of music: country and western. This is a little tune I wrote back in the south, a tune I've labelled 'Lucille'. Hope you like it..." During the song, Alton/Bono introduces the remaining 3 members of the band, "We got Luke Dalton(The Edge) on guitar, ladies & gentlemen! This is my sister Betty Dalton(Adam, still wearing that awful wig), behind me here on the drums we got Duke Dalton(Larry). My name is Alton Dalton, don't you forget it!" The crowd seem to be in disbelief, and only a few applaud when the song is done. Luke(The Edge) comes to the microphone, "Well, before we start my song," he explains, "I'd just like to say it really is great to be back in Los Angeles, and whenever we come back to Los Angeles, my brother Alton, he says to me: 'Luke, it's great to be back in Los Angeles!' So here we go...This is a little tune we learned from Hank Williams...," and the band go into "Lost Highway". During that night's performance of "Bad", Bono accepts some balloons and releases them as he sings, "Let it go..." Ali Hewson brings champagne on stage during "Party Girl". support is "The Bodeans", "The Dalton Brothers" and "The Pretenders".

"LoveTown" tour - november 18, 1989 - Sydney, Australia Entertainment Centre. On the second night, a bomb threat shortly before the U2 set, forces an evacution of the building. Steve Ireldale makes the announcement, and assures everyone that U2 will perform that evening: "The band are going to play, don't worry about that. So, can people go towards the exit in a n orderly fashion please? It's very important. There is no need to panic whatsoever, but please take this seriously..." After the 12,500 fans leave the building, and a ninety minute search, nothing is found. Once the fans return, U2 hit the stage with "Hawkmoon 269" and Bono says, "Turn on the house lights Willie[Williams]! Let me see who we're dealing with tongith! Let me tell you: everybody gets out of here ALIVE!" The anger at the bombthreat is turned into energy for the show. "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" is particularily emotional, and Bono also adds in more on the demonstrations in the Eastern Bloc and in China. During "40" he also adds in parts of John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance".

November 18, 1991 - U2's seventh album, "Achtung Baby", is released to widespread critical acclaim, but little fanfare.

"Elevation" tour - november 18, 2001 - Las Vegas, NV - Thomas and Mack Center, UNLV. A female fan is pulled onstage to play 'People Get Ready' with the band. Gwen Stefani once again joins in on a full band version of 'What's Going On?'. Bono takes a cross from a fan and puts it on. 'One' is dedicated to Quincy Jones who is sitting in the crowd. An Elvis impersonator is seated in the first row at Adam's side of the stage, and Bono makes several references to his presence throughout the show.

94th 'VERTIGO' show - November 18, 2005 / Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena - Institute - Happy B-Day Joe O´Herlihy / Bono gave one shout to New Orleans clean-up volunteers! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, Beautiful Day, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While, Mysterious Ways, Original of the Species, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - Ol' Man River. Encore(s): Until the End of the World, The Fly, With or Without You, Happy Birthday, Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Yahweh, All Because Of You, 40. Happy Birthday is sung for Joe O'Herlihy, U2's longtime sound engineer. Bono donned a blindfold and pretended to be a political prisoner. He gave one shout out to America's military, another to New Orleans clean-up volunteers. photos: U2gigs

124th 'VERTIGO' show - Australia / Melbourne - november 18, 2006 - Telstra Dome. The setlist at U2's first of two concerts in Melbourne largely resembled the set played two days ago in Adelaide. The big difference came in the encore, which was opened by The Fly rather than Zoo Station, and was followed by the second Australian Vertigo performance of Mysterious Ways. The Fly rarely opens the encore; the last such instance was on september 16, 2005. Also, today's performance of Desire was much less rusty than the ramshackle version performed in Sydney a week ago! City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / I Will Follow / New Year's Day / Beautiful Day - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (snippet) - Here Comes The Sun (snippet) / Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of / Angel Of Harlem / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock The Casbah (snippet) / Bullet The Blue Sky - When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet) - The Hands That Built America (snippet) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One / Encore(s): The Fly / Mysterious Ways / With Or Without You - Never Tear Us Apart (snippet) - Love Will Tear Us Apart (snippet) / The Saints Are Coming / Desire / Kite. (soundcheck: there are a few additional cameras around the place so the show will be filmed. heard the full band version of One Tree Hill from inside the Telstra Dome. The outro is included and so is of John Lennons Happy Christmas (War Is Over). They also rehearsed: Love And Peace Or Else, Pride, Saints Are Coming, Stuck In A Moment, Kite, Original Of The Species and City Of Blinding Lights earlier today) **** Exposing yourself emotionally in front of 60,000 punters, even friendly ones, still deserves a round of applause ... "Victoria, Garden State … let's go to St Kilda tonight," said Bono from the stadium's Coventry End, and 60,000 cheered their agreement. Then it was down to love, justice, God and all those other vivid yet frustratingly evanescent subjects that U2 insist on singing about. Tributes abounded, to Michael Hutchence, the Clash's Joe Strummer, and Australian film-maker Richard Lowenstein. Bono dedicated Sunday, Bloody Sunday to the victims of the Bali bombing, saying: "You don't have to become a monster in order to defeat a monster." ... The singer began a long night covering every inch of the broad stage, The Edge made his guitar wail, and Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen jnr kept the rhythm rock solid. **** His feet on the table and plays with his blackberry - Another fantastic show in Melbourne last night before a capacity crowd at Telstra Dome. Bono piggy backed a girl during Angel of Harlem before asking her if he could bring the band back to her house. He informed her that Edge “puts his feet on the table” and plays with his blackberry all the time and enquired weather this would be OK with her Mum. Other highlights included a moving One and funky Mysterious Ways complete with dancing girl from the crowd who picked Bono up. photos: U2gigs

"The Saints Are Coming" is the 1st in Brazil - November 18, 2006.

Clarence finally get go-ahead for €150m hotel plan - November 18, 2007 - Experts outraged at revamp nod -Edge and Bono; have finally found what they're looking for -- planning permission for a Euro 150m revamp of the Clarence Hotel. They have been given the green light by Dublin City Council to go ahead with controversial plans to turn the landmark property in Temple Bar into what Bono claims will be "the most spectacular hotel in Europe".

Wave After Wave (U2.com video) - November 18, 2008 - Atmospheric and meditative, Larry's latest video is all sea and sky. U2.com

Oscar organizers choose MTV awards vet Hamish Hamilton to direct show - November 18, 2009 - LOS ANGELES - Academy Awards overseers have chosen an entertainment veteran to direct the next Oscar show. Hamish Hamilton is directing the 82nd Oscar broadcast on March 7. Hamilton's credits include directing the MTV Video Music Awards and the MTV Europe Music Awards, along with live concerts by such performers as U2, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond and Christina Aguilera. He also is directing the halftime show at the Super Bowl the month before the Oscars. Adam Shankman, one of the producers of the Oscars, says Hamilton will bring a fresh eye and expertise in TV technology to stage a cutting-edge show. Oscar nominations come out Feb. 2. The March 7 awards ceremony airs live on ABC.

Bono and Wyclef Jean Receive RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights' Ripple of Hope Award - Honor Recognizes Courageous and Innovative Approaches to Human Rights -
NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2009

At its annual awards dinner, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights presented Bono and Wyclef Jean with the organization's 2009 Ripple of Hope Award. The award recognizes the bold leadership demonstrated by the two honorees on humanitarian issues. "As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from Port-Au-Prince to Darfur," said Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. "Their efforts evoke the spirit of my father and we are honored to recognize them." Jenni Williams, founder of Women of Zimbabwe Arise and 2009 RFK Human Rights Award winner, introduced Bono who was then presented the award by Ethel Kennedy. Bono, the lead singer of U2 and co-founder of the advocacy organization ONE and (Product) RED, was recognized for his efforts in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa (www.one.org, www.joinred.com). "Though we're not usually that partial to Royals, growing up in Ireland in the 70s, the Kennedy family felt like an Irish royal family. Bobby Kennedy was a super-hero, an Irish scrapper who didn't see any contradiction between hard-headed pragmatism and an idealism that challenged all of us to change the world. That's why the Ripple of Hope award means so much. RFK was the blue print for our activism in the ONE campaign," Bono said. "The image of Bobby that will forever be in my mind is of a man with his sleeves rolled up, hard at work and showing a hint of muscle. His life is an enduring challenge to all of us to do more, get beyond ourselves and send out our own ripples of hope to the world." Loune Viaud, who received the RFK Human Rights Award in 2002 for her work in Haiti, introduced her fellow countryman, Wyclef Jean. Jean was recognized for his work to strengthen and inspire change in Haiti through his Yele Haiti organization (www.yele.org). "It is an honor to receive this award for so many reasons," said Jean, who was also the evening's musical performer. "The Kennedy Family and Robert F. Kennedy have represented and fought for the rights of people around the world, and have paid the ultimate sacrifice for it. I am humbled by their work, and use it as an example in the work I continue to do in Haiti, the United States, Africa and around the globe. I look forward to working closely with Kerry Kennedy and the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights in Haiti as a part of our Yele Center." The evening was emceed by actor Peter Gallagher and included monologues based on the play "Speak Truth to Power" performed by Matthew Modine, Matt McCoy, Joey Pantoliano and Gloria Reuben. There was also a special tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy, who served as a member of the RFK Board of Directors from 1968 until his passing this year. Other guests included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Governor Jon Corzine, Harry Belafonte, Martha Stewart, Bill O'Reilly, Ana Ortiz, Aasif Mandvi, Liya Kebede, Earl Graves, Terry Kinney, Rebecca Minkoff, Charles Nolan, Richard Plepler, Tom Freston and Orin Kramer. The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of "Redemption Song" by Wyclef and Bono, and a performance of "Carnival" by Wyclef that brought the entire crowd of over 800 people - including Ethel Kennedy - to their feet singing and dancing. The RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the human rights movement through innovative support to human rights defenders around the world. With an over forty-year track record of attaining concrete results on cutting-edge social justice issues, the RFK Center carries forward Robert F. Kennedy's vision of a more just and peaceful world. To learn more about the RFK Center, please visit www.rfkcenter.org. SOURCE RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights - prnewswire

UPDATE NOVEMBER 17 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: The Olympic Flame is lit for the concert / David Bowie attended the concert / "Perfect Day" is released / "With Or Without You" / Edge jams with Wyclef / "U2 Go Home" / Ali-Solidarity Award in Spain / U2 was honored twice: Jake Berry and Dave Skaff (The 'Academy Awards' of the Live Concert Industry) / Edge Visits New Orleans and performed / Edge and Bob Ezrin stablish Music Rising / Edge & Bono and Pearl Jam at Make Poverty History concert / Bono appeared on the ABC´s Lateline Television Program last night to talk about African Poverty and the G20 summit in Melbourne this weekend!

"October" tour - november 17, 1981- U2 perform in Providence, Rhode Island at Center Stage.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 17, 1987 - U2 perform in Los Angeles, California at Memorial Coliseum. The shows falls 9.025 tickets short of being a sellout. Bono dedicates "Trip Through Your Wires" to the Los Angelese Police Department, referring to the shooting of the "Where the Streets Have No Name" video on March 27, 1987. The Olympic Flame is lit for the concert, marking only the fourth time this is done: Twice for the Olympic Games, once for the Pope and now, once for U2. Bono pulls up a man from the crowd during "People Get Ready" so he can play with the band. At the end of the song, the man hands Bono a demo tape.
Support for the first night is Steve Jones, and "The Pretenders".

"LoveTown" tour - november 17, 1989 - U2 perform in Sydney, Australia at the Entertainment Centre. U2 return to Sydney to make up the three cancelled shows from October 22,24 and 25, 1989. On the first night, Bono quickly comments and apologizes for his illness a few weeks earlier, "A few weeks back I had some real trouble trying to sing. I discovered you have some very psychedelic germs over here!" David Bowie and his current band "Tin Machine" attend the show and meet U2 after the show. All three shows are filmed by Australian filmmaker Richard Lowenstein and are aired in a documentary that airs in Australia and Europe later in the year. Two female singers, Cheri and Zan, provide backing vocals for all three nights' encores.

Perfect Day - November 17, 1997 - Chrysalis Records releases a version of Lou Reed's "Perfect Day", which features Bono, David Bowie, Joan Armatrading, Boyzone and others. All profits are donated to the BBC's Children in Need Appeal.

"With Or Without You" named one of Top Pop Songs Since 1963 - november 17, 2000 - A panel of music "experts" put together by MTV and Rolling Stone magazine vote "With or Without You" as the #8 song in the "Top 100 Pop Songs Since 1963."

"Edge jams with Wyclef Jean in Dublin" - november 17, 2002 - The Edge joins Wyclef Jean on stage tonight during Jean's concert at the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin. The two reportedly play an instrumental version of "With or Without You," and some reports suggest they jammed through a medley of other U2 songs. Edge returns to the stage a second time later in the show to join in on a cover of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." Go on the Edge! Sunday - November 17 2002....the night's biggest secret saw Wyclef perform with The Edge on stage. Together they rocked through a medley of U2 classics, and a dub version 'Knocking on Heaven's Door'. Queuing to get into the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin, the crowd was looking pretty bling-bling (well, as bling-bling as we could considering that temperature dictated wearing a parka). There was definitely a bit of a buzz in the air - Wyclef Jean was in the house and you could bet your low-slung jeans, it was going to be one mutha of a gig....Early on in the gig, Wyclef's proved to us how much Brooklyn and Ireland (and more specifically, Wyclef and Bono) have in common by treating us to some "Sunday Bloody Sunday" riffs. But further, entirely unsuspected delights lie in store. Apparently, there is a Mr. Dave Evans in the house. He's here as Witnness' guest and not in any kind of professional capacity. Wyclef says that although he has not discussed this with the Edge, it would be his dream come true if the Edge were to come on stage and perform with him... "Go on the Edge", the crowd urges as all eyes turn towards him. A few minutes later, and nobody can quite believe it - the Edge has joined Wyclef and they're making the most beautiful guitar noises the world has ever heard. It's amazing. For fifteen solid minutes, Wyclef and the Edge wield their instruments, playing classic U2 and they're enjoying it more than the audience is. The two reportedly play an instrumental version of "With or Without You." Edge returns to the stage a second time later in the show to join in on a cover of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." Musical event of the year? Do you even need to ask that question?...



"U2 Go Home" store shelves - november 17, 2003 - U2 Go Home - Live from Slane Castle is released worldwide today. The release is the first DVD-only release of U2's career, and is taken from U2's September 1, 2001, performance at the historic Slane Castle north of Dublin. It's the second Elevation Tour concert to be released as a home video. Fans in North America have to wait the usual extra day for their November 18th release date.

Ali - Solidarity Award in Spain - November 17, 2005 - Wife of U2 singer Bono, Ali Hewson, poses for photographers with the Solidarity Award for the company Edun, founded by Ali and Bono, during the Marie Claire Awards ceremony at Madrid's French Embassy in Spain late Thursday 17 November 2005 - photos interference

U2 was honored twice: Jake Berry and Dave Skaff (The 'Academy Awards' of the Live Concert Industry) - November 17, 2005 - The Parnelli Awards: The 'Academy Awards' of the Live Concert Industry - Those Behind the Magic of U2, the Rolling Stones, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day and Toby Keith Honored in 5th Annual Award Ceremony...U2 was honored twice: Jake Berry received the prestigious Production Manager of the Year Award for his work with the group, and Monitor Mixer of the Year went to Dave Skaff.... Photo: U2's production manager, Jake Berry, receives the Parnelli Production Manager of the Year Award - ereleases

Edge Visits New Orleans and performed - November 17, 2005


Edge has visited with musicians in New Orleans in support of the Music Rising initiative. At Guitar Centre in the city five local men shared their stories with Edge and a few customers were lucky enough to hear Edge jam with Walter 'Wolfman' Washington. Music Rising will formally announce on Monday.







Edge and Bob form Music Rising - November 17, 2005 - In hurricane's wake, U2 guitarist brings instruments to Gulf Coast musicians. U2 guitarist the Edge and producer Bob Ezrin have teamed with Gibson Guitar and music instrument retailer the Guitar Center to create Music Rising, a charity that provides instruments to Gulf Coast musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina. "New Orleans is a crucible for great music," says the Edge, who fell in love with the city during U2's 1981 Boy tour. "The idea that it would be just a place of history for music is awful to me. Coming from Dublin in the Seventies, when music was something you had to search out, I'd never dreamt that somewhere like New Orleans could exist. Music was coming out of the walls. It seemed not just a form of escapism, but like it was weaved into everybody's life." After Hurricane Katrina, the Edge met up with Ezrin -- who heads the board of the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, which donates new and refurbished instruments to school and community music programs -- and they agreed to create a program that would restore music to the ravished city. "We both concluded instantly that the human disaster was indescribable," Ezrin says, "but what was being wiped out at the same time was the culture of the entire region." Ezrin, who has produced the likes of Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails and the Darkness, had already contacted Guitar Center CEO Marty Albertson and Gibson CEO Henry Jusciewicz about creating a custom Gibson guitar -- details of which are yet to be announced -- to raise money for flood victims. Albertson and Jusciewicz pledged a minimum of $1 million from the sale of the guitar to the effort and even agreed to eat the design and manufacturing costs. "I wish every CEO of a major company in America would do even a fraction of what these guys do," Ezrin says. After Music Rising reaches its primary goal of replacing every single instrument lost to professional musicians in the Gulf Coast region, the program hopes to expand to reach local churches, marching bands and schools. "It's clearly achievable," the Edge says. "Something should be done and not just because New Orleans deserves it, but because the world needs New Orleans."
In hurricane's wake, U2 guitarist brings instruments to Gulf Coast musicians. U2 guitarist the Edge and producer Bob Ezrin have teamed with Gibson Guitar and music instrument retailer the Guitar Center to create Music Rising, a charity that provides instruments to Gulf Coast musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina. "New Orleans is a crucible for great music," says the Edge, who fell in love with the city during U2's 1981 Boy tour. "The idea that it would be just a place of history for music is awful to me. Coming from Dublin in the Seventies, when music was something you had to search out, I'd never dreamt that somewhere like New Orleans could exist. Music was coming out of the walls. It seemed not just a form of escapism, but like it was weaved into everybody's life." After Hurricane Katrina, the Edge met up with Ezrin -- who heads the board of the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, which donates new and refurbished instruments to school and community music programs -- and they agreed to create a program that would restore music to the ravished city. "We both concluded instantly that the human disaster was indescribable," Ezrin says, "but what was being wiped out at the same time was the culture of the entire region." Ezrin, who has produced the likes of Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails and the Darkness, had already contacted Guitar Center CEO Marty Albertson and Gibson CEO Henry Jusciewicz about creating a custom Gibson guitar -- details of which are yet to be announced -- to raise money for flood victims. Albertson and Jusciewicz pledged a minimum of $1 million from the sale of the guitar to the effort and even agreed to eat the design and manufacturing costs. "I wish every CEO of a major company in America would do even a fraction of what these guys do," Ezrin says. After Music Rising reaches its primary goal of replacing every single instrument lost to professional musicians in the Gulf Coast region, the program hopes to expand to reach local churches, marching bands and schools. "It's clearly achievable," the Edge says. "Something should be done and not just because New Orleans deserves it, but because the world needs New Orleans."
Those wishing to make donations can do so at Music Rising from rollingstone

Edge & Bono and Pearl Jam at Make Poverty History concert - November 17, 2006 - Melbourne / Australia - Bono and Edge performed with Pearl Jam tonight, part of the Make Poverty History concert in Melbourne ("It's a beautiful day," said Pearl Jam leader Eddie Vedder, before launching into Neil Young's Rockin' in the Free World). A capacity audience of 20,000 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl saw Edge and Bono join Pearl Jam for Neil Young's Rocking in the Free World - Edge turning in a particularly scintillating performance. 'To the Make Poverty History campaigners, we salute you,' said Bono. 'Keep on rocking in the free world. Politicians have to do what you tell them to do.' The G-20 - finance ministers from twenty nations who represent two-thirds of the world’s population - are meeting in Melbourne this weekend. Campaigners are demanding that rich countries deliver on the agreed UN target of allocating 0.7% of gross national income to international aid. Next month the two bands will be together on stage again - when Pearl Jam join U2 for the final date of Vertigo 06 in Honolulu.



Bono appeared on the ABC´s Lateline Television Program last night to talk about African Poverty and the G20 summit in Melbourne this weekend - November 17, 2006 - Irish rock star Bono says Prime Minister John Howard should look at increasing Australia’s aid to third world countries as a way of fighting terrorism. Touring Australia with his band U2, Bono is promoting the Make Poverty History campaign. He wants Mr Howard to commit to giving 0.7 per cent of the nation’s GDP to developing countries by 2015. Bono has told the ABC TV’s Lateline program that if Mr Howard is not convinced to do so on compassionate grounds, he should consider it as a security investment. "People in the rest of the world are not sure if we in the West, what our values are, do we have any values,” he said. “This is the way they meet us - they either meet us through trade, or through aid, or through the military. "I would suggest that this is a better investment, if you like, of the Treasury’s money in making friends with potential enemies.” Bono sorry: Meanwhile Bono says he regrets his initial response to the suggestion of a meeting with Mr Howard on the issue of aid to third world nations. Earlier, Bono said he would only be interested in meeting Mr Howard to discuss the Make Poverty History campaign if the Prime Minister was serious about the problems underdeveloped countries face. Bono now says he is sorry for appearing arrogant and would love to meet Mr Howard. “I think it was fairer to say I was just a little miffed that he didn’t seem that interested in the meeting or indeed the issues,” he said. “I have a great deal of admiration for him. He’s led your country to great prosperity, but he has also led your country to the bottom of the league table in terms of involvement with the world’s most vulnerable populations.” abc.au

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 16 - THIS DAY - U2´S HISTORY: songs and ideas from this soundcheck / a quick conversation with a winner / U2 MTV Europe Awards / a fan takes part on the duel ...End Of The World / U2 perform to BBC Radio and 20 fans on HQ / 93rd 'VERTIGO' show: A young girl near Larry´s drum kit for OOTS-the young boy during Yahweh shines the spotlight around the arena and on each band member / U2 at Johnny Cash tribute and premiere "The Wanderer" / Live 8 tops this chart / 123rd 'VERTIGO' show -Australia-Adelaide / Bono praises Irish role in global development !

"War" tour - november 16, 1983 - U2 perform in Honolulu, Hawaii. The band are on their way to perform in Japan, and took a short vacation and a one-off concert. Already deep into the work for the next album, they try a few new songs and musical ideas during the soundcheck. Planned concerts in Australia and New Zealand have already been cancelled.

"ZOOTV Zoomerang" tour - november 16, 1993 - U2 perform in Adelaide, Australia at the Football Park. Ticket sales have picked up in the last few weeks after a slow start. The winner of the MTV Australia U2 contest is beamed into the show after "The Fly" for a quick conversation.

"ATYCLB" promo tour - november 16, 2000 - Stockholm, Sweden Globe Arena. Beautiful Day .U2 performs live at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

"Elevation" tour - november 16, 2001 - Oakland, CA - The Arena in Oakland. Bono brings a female fan on stage during '...End of the World' and she takes part in the 'duel' with Edge. Bono brings fan Scott Perretta on stage to play guitar - Scott begins 'A Sort of Homecoming' before Bono and Edge realize what he's playing. They soon join in and play a spirited version, even though Bono doesn't remember many lyrics. Gwen Stefani sings during 'What's Going On.' Bono reads some of the victims' names that scroll behind the band during 'One.'

"U2 performs live for BBC Radio" - november 16, 2004. U2 plays a 5-song set at their own Hanover Quay studios which airs live on BBC Radio 1. A small crowd of about 20 fans are in the audience after winning tickets from Radio 1.

93rd 'VERTIGO' show - November 16, 2005 /'Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum - Institute. A young girl near Larry´s drum kit for OOTS / the young boy during Yahweh shines the spotlight around the arena and on each band member. City Of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While, Beautiful Day - Many Rivers to Cross, Original of the Species, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - Ol' Man River. Encore(s): The First Time (acoustic), Stuck In a Moment, With or Without You, All Because of You, Yahweh, 40. Bono brings a young girl on stage and has her sit near Larry's drum kit for Original of the Species. He brings a young boy, Joey, on stage during Yahweh and the boy stays on stage through 40. As the song is ending, Bono gets Joey to help shine a spotlight around the arena. As Bono leaves, Joey takes the spotlight and shines it on Bono, then also shines it on each band member, one at a time, before returning to the crowd. Photos: flickr - U2tours - U2gigs.

U2 at Johnny Cash tribute and premiere "The Wanderer" - november 16, 2005. CBS. Edge told to U2.com: U2 appeared in last night's CBS tribute to Johnny Cash. The band performed 'The Wanderer' a song they originally wrote for Cash and recorded with him for the 1993 album Zooropa....Incidentally,a little while back Edge spoke at length about the day Cash came to Dublin and recorded The Wanderer with U2. 'I think like so many of our best ideas, 'The Wanderer' happened almost by magic. We were working on the song, Bono got on the mic to sing and he was going, 'I dunno quite how I'm gonna approach this one.' And out of the blue he said, 'Hey, y'know, I think Johnny Cash is in town, maybe we could get him to come and sing on this, with me or instead of me.' I don't know quite what he was trying to put over; at that moment I think we all thought, 'Aw, Bono's just trying to create some sort of distraction from the fact that he really has no idea what he wants to do on the song, this is just one crazy idea too far.' 'But whenever something like that happens I've learned to bite my tongue somewhat, because those crazy ideas often turn out to be the ones that come to pass, and indeed this was one of those. We got on the phone pretty much immediately to try and get through to Johnny, and he said he'd love to come down just to say hello, and, y'know, if it was something he could sing on, great, he'd be up for it. 'So then Bono went in and did a sort of faux Johnny vocal and it was eerie, suddenly this track just clicked into place. And Eno at the time was going, 'That's it! We don't need Johnny, you've done it, this is exactly what we need!' And Bono said, 'No, no, this is just half what this song would be.' 'So anyway, almost against Brian's advice, we had Johnny come down and he sang on the song and it was unbelievable the way it came to life. It got a bit surreal. Everyone completely got into the spirit of what he was doing. He did two vocals, that was it, we didn't even get into, 'Could you try it this way?' it was literally a case of, 'I can't quite believe what's going on!' There was a little element of giddiness in the room. 'After he left and we'd said our goodbyes, everyone just looked at each other and went, 'What just happened?!' ......"I went out walking, with a bible and a son?" and "under an atomic sky" 'Out walking under an atomic sky'

Live 8 tops this chart - November 16, 2006 - Beatles song Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band has been named as the fastest online download of all time. The version sung by Sir Paul McCartney and U2's Bono at the Live 8 concert hit the top of the download chart within hours of its release.

123rd 'VERTIGO' show - Australia / Adelaide - november 16, 2006 - AAMI Stadium - On 16 November 1993, U2 performed their last concert in Adelaide and used it as a rehearsal before the Sydney video shoot for the official Zoo TV video release. Thirteen years later to the day, the band finally returned to South Australia. I Will Follow remained in the setlist after its re-appearance in Sydney on Monday, Stuck In A Moment and Desire both returned to the set after making solitary appearances previously on the Australian leg, and Angel Of Harlem remained in the main set. Despite the fact there was no rain at the concert, Bono added a snippet of Singing In The Rain to the start of The Fly. City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / I Will Follow / New Year's Day / Beautiful Day-Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (snippet)-Here Comes The Sun (snippet) / Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of / Angel Of Harlem-I Should Be So Lucky (snippet) / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet The Blue Sky-When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)-The Hands That Built America (snippet) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One / Encore(s): Zoo Station / Singing In The Rain (snippet)-The Fly-(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (snippet) / With Or Without You / The Saints Are Coming / Desire-Not Fade Away (snippet) / Kite. **** Night of pop, rock and ´politics - WALKING out onstage with an Australian flag draped around his neck, U2's Bono kicked off a show Adelaide has been waiting to see since March. For the 60,000 people packed inside AAMI Stadium last night to see the world's biggest rock band, the sound and light spectacular was worth the wait. With a massive screen behind projecting dynamic visuals and images of the band, the four Irishmen ran through a set that showed the old songs to be just as vital and relevant as their latest material. It's a sound that many have tried to replicate or at least used for inspiration in recent years, from The Killers to Franz Ferdinand, but few have managed to successfully capture the urgency of the rhythm section of Larry Mullen Jnr on drums, Adam Clayton on bass and The Edge's fearsome guitar. As the crowd inside the stadium rocked, more fans crowded outside hoping to at least take in the sound, if not the sight. Acknowledging the tour postponement caused by the illness of a family member on top of the 13-year wait Adelaide fans have had since U2 last performed here, Bono said: "Thank you for your patience, your understanding. If we've learnt anything in this time it's probably this song," and he sang Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own. Throughout the show, Bono dropped plenty of pop culture references adding lines by everyone from George Harrison to Kylie into songs. Bono appeared onstage with Kylie at one of her shows in Sydney last weekend and last night, after singing a few of bars of Kylie's I Should Be So Lucky during Angel of Harlem, said: "That one's for the Angel of Sydney." The ever-political Bono turned Sunday Bloody Sunday, originally written about the troubles in Northern Ireland, into a prayer, saying "Don't become a monster in order to defeat a monster" while behind him on the big screen the word "co-exist" was written, incorporating Muslim and Jewish symbols. He then pulled a young boy out of the crowd to sit on the stage and chant "no more". Then Bono lit a flare during the scorching Bullet the Blue Sky it reinforced that this show was about much more than just rock'n'roll.
adelaidenow - photos: U2gigs



Bono praises Irish role in global development - November 16, 2007 - Bono has said he is very proud of the role the Government is playing is eradicating famine and hunger in the Third World. He said African countries were seeking to replicate the success of the Irish economy because Ireland had come from further behind any other country in modern history to achieve the levels of prosperity currently being enjoyed. The U2 singer was speaking at University College Cork, where he attended a meeting of the Government's Hunger Task Force, of which he is a member. This year the Government will spend €815m on Third World aid.

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 15 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: "A Sort Of Homecoming" to the EP / Rene Castro on stage during JTtour / a young girl on stage / U2.com members asked to renew !

"Boy" tour - november 15, 1980 - U2 perform in Bristol, England at the Polytechnic School.

"October" tour - november 15, 1981 - U2 perform in New Haven, Connecticut at Toad's Place. crowd: 600 people sellout.

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - november 15, 1984 - London England Wembeley Arena. During the soundcheck of the second show, U2 perform "A Sort Of Homecoming", and it is this version that eventually appears on the "Wide Awake In America" EP. The song is remixed with crowd noise, to give it the appearance of being recorded in front of a live audience. "A Sort Of Homecoming" also appears on the B-side of the "Unforgettable Fire" EP released in May 1985. Support is "The Waterboys".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 15, 1987 - U2 perform in Oakland, California at Oakland Stadium. Even though the first night sells out quickly, almost 16,000 tickets are unsold for the second show. Bono introduces another artist, Rene Castro, whom he had met during the "Conspiracy of Hope" tour, and who had encouraged him to tour Central America. Castro comes on stage accompanied by 20 artists called Placa and they set about spraypainting U2's stage. "And with any luck," Bono points out, "we should be able to show Mayor Feinstein the difference between an act of vandalism and graffiti art." The artists paint a huge dove of peace, and the message "Peace in Central America". At the end of the show, Bono again invites Castro and Placa on stage to sing along. They arrive carrying wooden crosses, simulating the dead of strife-torn Central and South America. He stops when he says the word 'DISAPPEARED': "[It's] a euphemism that death squads use for taking you out in the middle of the night, putting a bullet through your head and not telling anyone about it." Support is "The BoDeans" and "The Pretenders".

" Elevation" tour - november 15, 2001 - Oakland, CA. The Arena in Oakland. During 'New Year's Day', Bono brings a young girl (maybe 8-10 years old) on stage and carries her on his shoulders as he finishes the song. No Doubt's Gwen Stefani joins Bono again to sing 'What's Going On.'

U2.com members asked to renew - november 15, 2005. U2.com members are asked to renew their memberships via emails that arrive today. The main draws for renewing are a 20% discount off the $40 (USD) regular price, and a -disc audio and CD-ROM set called U2.Communication, which will include eight live songs. After the Vertigo Tour ticket presale disaster early in the year, the most notable thing about membership renewals at U2.com is the lack of any ticket presale guarantees: "There will not be any ticket guarantees as part of the re-subscription package...We continue to look for fair ways in which we can distribute tickets to our fans on future tours but any solution will not be tied to this re-subscription."

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 14 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY - WBCN radio in Boston / Bono apologizes to Vaillancour / the 100th ZOOTV´s show / "Goldeneye" / "Sunday Bloody Sunday" in Miami / Bono speaks to Canadian Liberals / 92nd 'VERTIGO' show: 'A Day In The Life Of Edge'-Edge and Bono´s interview with fans-Bono films Edge on a part of COBL-Chile´s concert?-NO 'Miracle Drug'-Terry Lawless joins U2 for 'Original Of The Species' / Edge introduced Kasabian in Mencap's series of Little Noise Sessions shows at the Union Chapel ! !


"Boy" tour - november 14, 1980 - U2 perform in Kidderminster, England at the Town Hall.

"October" tour - november 14, 1981 - U2 perform in Boston, Massachusetts at the Orpheum Theater. The show is broadcast live on WBCN radio in the Boston area. When the band leave for the dressing room after Out Of Control, the DJ addresses the radio listeners. 'Pandemonium at the Orpheum Theater tonight, the crowd´s going crazy . U2 are leaving the stage but you know they´ll be back. This is absolutely incredible, the responses here...Well, U2 consider Boston their home away from home, really. The place is going nuts! The crowd is on their feet, and I hope you´re diggin´ it at home. Listen to the clapping hands, people who appreciate good music...that´s Boston, Massachustts for ya. They´re coming back onstage! I see The Edge...'

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - november 14, 1984. U2 perform in London, England at Wembley Arena. U2 play two crowds of 20,000 people each.

"The Joshua Tree" tour november 14, 1987 - U2 perform in Oakland, California at Oakland Stadium. In two shows, U2 will perform in front of 119,000 fans. On the first night, Bono addresses the crowd about his little spray-painting escapade on November 11, 1987. "As you know i've been getting into a little bit of trouble here in San Francisco. A policeman called me up in my hotel room--he said he was collecting evidence concerning an 'act of violence' down at Vallancourt Fountain. They said, 'Mr. Hewson, we take this thing very seriously in this city.' I said, 'I take it very seriously too, but have you picked up a rock & roll band.' I mean, this is U2. We're the Batman and Robin of rock & roll for God's sake. Anyway, I think it should be explained that there's a difference because Armand Vaillancourt, himself, spraypainted his own scuplture, a few year's ago, when he opened it." Bono is clearly worried about the situation, and wants to prove he didn't do anything malicious. He introduces the aritist in question, Armand Vaillancourt, who walks out on stage and says that he is glad to be at the show, and that he regrets the grafitti has been washed off of his work. Bono apologizes to Vaillancourt, and hands him a can of spraypaint, with which Vaillancourt spraypaints "STOP THE MADNESS!" on U2's stage.

"ZOOTV - Outside Broadcast" tour november 14, 1992 - U2 perform the final(and 100th!) show of the ZooTV Outside Broadcast Tour in Anaheim, California at Anaheim Stadium. The show is added at the last minute when the tour organizers get together and realize they could sell out another show in the Southern California area. During the show, the upper part of the stadium shakes violently. At future concerts city officials respond by posting signs asking fans to not dance during shows. Larry dedicates "Dirty Old Town" to the "people [who] aren't going to make it; truck drivers, bus drivers, caterers...I want to sing this for their heavy duty work...hard to believe this is the last time I'm going to sing this in the US...I know how disappointed you'll all be..." Bono takes a few minutes to thank the crew for their hard work as the names of the various cities the band has played pass by on the vidi-screens. "...thanks to Paul McGuinness for helping to keep it together all these years, and Ellen Darst, his right-hand lady. Most of our organisation is run by women. A sort of work for them, really! We love them all. it's just too many names to mention..." Bono makes his last phone call of the Outside Broadcast and to George Bush, "That's 1-202-456-1414," he reminds the audience. "Hi, can I speak to George Bush please? What? George isn't available? But it's our last night! Can I leave a message for George? I just want to say that I won't be bothering him anymore from now on....I'm going to be bothering Bill Clinton now..." Support is B.P. Fallon, "The Sugarcubes", and "Public Enemy". The 42 Outside Broadcast dates are attended by 1,847,971 fans, an average of more than 43,000 a night. Only 79,329 tickets remain unsold. The tour grosses $53,913,608US.

"Goldeneye" - november 14, 1995 - Tina Turner releases "Goldeneye" - the theme to the new 007 movie of the same name - written by Bono and The Edge on Capitol records. Edge performs on the record.

"POPMart" tour - november 14, 1997. U2 perform in Miami, Florida. A sentimental rendering of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' by The Edge, who stood alone under a spotlight, singing, and playing guitar. The Edge's cowboy hat was a suitable affection; he wrangled a range of guitar sounds effectively, whether blowing out blues-rock noise on Discotheque or streaming ambient chords through If You Wear That Velvet Dress.

"Bono speaks to Canadian Liberals" - november 14, 2003 - Bono speaks tonight at the Liberal convention in Toronto for incoming Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin. He begins his 25-minute speech by telling the gathered crowd "I'm not a supporter of any political party." And the focus of his speech is not on one party or another, but on the need to relieve Third World debt and raise money to fight the AIDS crisis in Africa. To the incoming PM, Bono promises "I'm going to become the biggest pain of his life! Paul Martin thinks he likes me. He doesn't know what he signed on for -- more lobbying about debt, begging for letters, petitions for unfair trade, phone calls about money for the global health fund."

92nd 'VERTIGO' show - November 14, 2005 / Miami, FL - American Airlines Arena - Institute. 'A Day In The Life Of Edge' / Edge and Bono´s interview with fans / Bono films Edge on a part of COBL / Chile´s concert? / NO 'Miracle Drug' / Terry Lawless joins U2 for 'Original Of The Species'! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, The Electric Co., I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day - Blackbird, Original of the Species, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - Ol' Man River. Encore(s): Until the End of the World, The Fly, With or Without You, All Because Of You, Walk On, Bad. Bono and Edge shoot a playful video with fans outside the arena in the afternoon, which includes Bono interviewing fans about The Edge. As the show starts, Bono takes the stage with a handicam and focuses on Edge for the first half of Blinding Lights. During Elevation, Bono takes a Chilean (we think) flag and says 'Coming soon to a stadium near you!' Terry Lawless is on stage for Original of the Species, U2's new U.S. single. It replaces Miracle Drug, which isn't played for the first time this year. The arena sings most of the songs louder than Bono, and security struggle for much of the show to control the crush outside the ellipse. **** A Day in The Life of Edge: Edge and Bono were caught on camera in Miami yesterday afternoon and evening. Guitarist and singer were spotted on South Beach Miami singing In A Little While at a life guard tower. Crowds gathered and fans were delighted to be part of the filming of A Day In The Life of Edge. Filming continued outside the American Airlines Arena before the show last night where Edge led the crowd in a rousing version of 'Streets' and then, using a megaphone, a repeated chant of 'Bono, Bono, Bono'. To add to the excitement and intrigue, City of Blinding Lights opened with Bono and the camera filming the very loud Miami audience. Whats it all about? Watch this space. U2.com **** U2 Perform On Miami Beach - 'In A Little While' - Bono on the beach: yahoo - Photos: flickr

Edge introduced Kasabian in Mencap's series of Little Noise Sessions shows at the Union Chapel - Nov 14, 2008 - Kasabian previewed tracks from their album in London tonight (November 14) after being introduced on stage by U2's The Edge. Taking part in Mencap's series of Little Noise Sessions shows at the Union Chapel, the band played an acoustic set as they headlined the night. The Edge who stood in as compare, supporting Mencap's Don't Stick It, Stop It campaign aimed at stopping school bullying of special needs students. "They support a really crap football team, there music is ok," joked the U2 guitarist. "They don't have echo on their guitars and they haven't written any songs about 60s civil rights leaders." Support had come first from The Hours who The Edge introduced as "gobby and charming"

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 13 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY - U2 start a tour after 3 members agree to be in r&r / "queen" for "Dame" / Amigo Awards / No Doubt's Gwen Stefani joins U2 / 91st 'VERTIGO' show: Dutch fans-Bob Hewson B-Day-mic during 'Bullet'-'Wild Horses' to Patti-young boy and a female fan-Happy B-Day to a crew member-The strange and mysterious tale of the origins of The Edge / Edge Helps Launch XO - Give One - Get One / Edge at Amazing Journey: The Story Of The Who / The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time !

"Boy" tour - november 13, 1980 - U2 perform in Sheffield, England at the Limit Club.

"October" tour - november 13, 1981- U2 start a 20-date American tour in Albany, New York at J.B. Scott's. The tour almost falls apart as Bono, The Edge, and Larry tell McGuinness that they could not reconcile their religious views with being in a rock'n'roll band. McGuinness points out how hard American Frank Barsalona had worked in organizing the concerts, and asks them to consider the countless others whose efforts would be ignored if they quit. The tour goes on, after the 3 band members agree to perform on the dates.

"ZOOTV - Zooropa" tour - november 13, 1993 - Melbourne - Australia - Cricket Ground. MacPhisto tries to phone the Queen Mother, and the woman talks with him: 'Are you the popular singer?'. As the conversation progress, appears Dame Edna Everage. MacPhisto sings a stanza of God Save The Queen, but substitutes queen for Dame. Before the song is over, Dame Edna gets in a quick plug her upcoming shows in town.

November 13, 1997 - Bono appears in the 1998 Pirelli Calendar.

"ATYCLB" promo tour - november 13, 2000 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio de Congresos - Beautiful Day. U2 perform at the Amigo Awards. Bono's vocals are sung live, but the music was recorded during rehearsal the day before.

"Elevation" tour - november 13, 2001 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center. Just as she did a night earlier, No Doubt's Gwen Stefani joins U2 on stage to sing 'What's Going On.' Edge wears blue shirt Born Free.

91st 'VERTIGO' show - November 13, 2005 / Miami, FL - American Airlines Arena - Institute. Dutch fans / Bob Hewson B-Day / mic during 'Bullet' / 'Wild Horses' to Patti / young boy and a female fan / Happy B-Day to a crew member! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While, Beautiful Day - Here Comes the Sun, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One. Encore(s): Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, With or Without You, All Because of You, Yahweh, Happy Birthday, 40. A loud crowd greets U2 as they play in Florida for the first time since 2001. Still Haven't Found is dedicated to Section 105, which includes a big group of Dutch fans who traveled to see tonight's show. During Sometimes..., Bono mentions his dad's birthday. Bob Hewson would have turned 80 today. While blindfolded, Bono needs help from crew member AJ Rankin to guide him to the mic during Bullet. Bono wears a fan's cowboy hat during Wild Horses, which is dedicated to 'Patti, the punk rocker.' A young boy is brought on stage during Sunday Bloody Sunday; a female fan dances with Bono during With or Without You. Bono leads the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to a member of the band's crew. The strange and mysterious tale of the origins of The Edge! 'Some people don't know that The Edge is from the future. It's important to understand our band, to understand him. Not only from the future, but from the future on a very different planet. Larry and I were standing on a corner on the north side of Dublin and we heard these notes...' (Let the reader understand: Edge is playing the opening four notes of Miracle Drug as the singer digs deep in the imaginative well that is his memory.) 'We looked up to see a spaceship, I guess it was a time-travelling device. It landed on the north side of Dub. We weren't scared. We walked up and a door opened and The Edge walked out.
'I said: 'Who are you?'
'I am The Edge.'
Adam said: 'Where are you from?'
Edge said, 'I'm from the future.'
Larry said: 'What's that like?'
To which Edge replied by citing the price of fuel. ' It's $39.00 a gallon but its much better.... much better.' **** Gavin Rossdale, former Bush frontman.....Institute opened with a heavy jam, then I recognized it was Gavin from Bush that was the lead vocalist and sure enough they played some Bush songs like Everything Zen which was also good fun **** Some photos on: flickr - U2gigs

Edge at Amazing Journey: The Story Of The Who - November 13, 2007 - He's only in it for a few brief snippets at the very end. Edge and Bono were watching The Who on tv. vh1

Edge Helps Launch XO - Give One - Get One! - November 13, 2007 - Edge has created a custom start-up sound for the groundbreaking XO laptop, designed to help children in developing countries 'learn learning'. One Laptop per Child, the non-profit organization behind the XO, revealed details today, as the purchase programme went live in North America. The start-up sound accompanies a unique animation in which an “XO” spins 360 degrees to look like a child. One Laptop per Child (OLPC) manufacture and distribute laptop computers that are sufficiently inexpensive to provide children in developing countries with access to knowledge and modern forms of education. “I'm delighted to support One Laptop Per Child," said Edge. "It's an amazing aim to use this new technology to help children all over the world." At present the laptops are only available in North America - when you buy one, you also provide one for a child in a developing country. More on One Laptop here - laptopgiving. Watch the clip by YouTube here

The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time - November 13, 2008 - 179 experts ranks music's finest vocalists ... 32 - Bono by Billie Joe Armstrong here - 7 - Bob Dylan by Bono here

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 12 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: "Bad" (Wide Awaike In America-EP) is recorded / Adam´s bass breaks / ...'his duchess'.../ Lemon / Jacksonville Jaguars football team / Edge´s fan plays "People Get Ready"!

"Boy" tour - november 12, 1980 - U2 perform in Bradford, England at the University.

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - november 12, 1984 - U2 perform in Birmingham, England at the National Exhibition Centre. With 11,000 fans in attendance the shows, the show is the biggest hall date U2 have played. The version of "Bad" performed this evening, eventually appears on the "Wide Awake In America" EP. Support is "The Waterboys".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 12, 1987 - U2 perform in Vancouver, B.C., Canada at B.C. Place. The show was originally planned for Seattle, Washington, but is moved to Vancouver, B.C. because of ticket demands. To compensate fans in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, twenty thousand tickets that include a bus ride to Vancouver are sold. During "Trip Through Your Wires", Adam's Bass cuts out and the concert is momentarily stopped so that he can grab a new one. Support is "The BoDeans" and "Los Lobos".

"ZOOTV - Outside Broadcast" tour - november 12, 1992 - U2 perform in Las Vegas, Nevada at Sam Boyd Silver Bowl. It's a uncharacteristically cold night in Las Vegas and Bono thanks the crowd for coming out. "This place is even more ZooTV than ZooTV...," Bono notes about the city with the large casinos and 24 hour wedding chapels. "Last night, Steve Iredale who's worked with us since the very beginning, and is basically running the whole show here tonight...well, he took his babe down to a little desert church and got married there last night!" Bono dedicates "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" to Steve and "his duchess". Support is B.P. Fallon, "The Sugarcubes", and "Public Enemy".

"ZOOTV - Zoomerang" tour - november 12, 1993. The final leg of the ZooTV tour - dubbed Zoomerang - opens with performances in Melbourne, Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds. Bono does flamenco dance moves to the swinging beat of Lemon, which he sings faultlessly in the high-pitched fat lady voice as on the record. Edge sings along with the Talking Heads-style backup vocals that is played from tape.

"PopMart" tour - november 12, 1997. U2 perform in Jacksonville, Florida. The crowd for tonight's PopMart show in Jacksonville in estimated at only 20,000 (rain showers). At one point, Bono asks the crowd, "Those of you in the back, can you hear us? Both of you?" As U2 descends from the lemon, all four band members are wearing jerseys of the Jacksonville Jaguars football team, which plays its home games in the same stadium. Bono showed why he still is one of the best vocalists and the Edge, with his solo effort on Sunday, Bloody Sunday, surprised the fans.

"Elevation" tour - november 12, 2001 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center. Bono brings a girl (guitarist from EXIT band, called Captive) on stage to play guitar during 'People Get Ready.' No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani joins Bono in singing 'What's Going On.' Bono sings a brief snippet from 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' during 'Bad.'

Boost for charities backed by stars - November 12, 2008 - Stars including David Beckham and Bono have spoken about receiving a share of $67m for charities they support, after a fundraising scheme by US TV's American Idol. Reese Witherspoon and Annie Lennox also spoke about money donated to charities backed by them. The TV show aimed to raise money for six organisations - The Children's Defence Fund, Children's Health Fund, The Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More and Save The Children.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 11 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: "Father Is An Elephant" / "Save The Yuppie" in San Francisco / Bono gets a MTV Award / U2 enters UK Hall of Fame / U2´s track to 'Miami Vice: Season Two' / Edge on Word Magazine / 121st VERTIGO show / Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Shows: New Issue of Rolling Stone / U2 Tell the Story Behind 'The Unforgettable Fire'!

"Boy" tour - november 11, 1980 - U2 perform in Canterbury, England at Kent University. A revised set opens with "Stories For Boys" and includes the melodic song called "Father Is An Elephant", which will performed only a couple of times

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 11, 1987 - U2 play an impromptu free gig to "Save the Yuppie" in front of 20,000 people at the Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco, California. After rumours circulate all morning, the local radio stations finally confirm that at 12:00 noon, U2 will perform for free. The show is taped by one video camera operated by Phil Joanou, and is audiotaped by Jimmy Iovine. The "Save the Yuppies" moniker is in reference to the stock market crash the day before. Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" opens the set, and eventually makes it's way into "Rattle & Hum". During "Sunday Bloody Sunday" Bono berates a fan waving an Irish Tri-Color with "SF + U2" on it: "What's this I see over here? I see two letters: 'SF and U2'...Is that a girl's name or does that stand for 'Sinn Fein', the Irish Republican Army? Because if it does, I don't know how you can stand or stomach to wave that sign this week! 'Cause YOU BASTARDS sent those people...Eleven dead, fifty-five wounded, in the name of Freedom. F--- FREEDOM! Glory to the revolution, that's what he's saying..." The fan slowly lowers the flag, leaving the crowd to wonder why Bono didn't realize SF="San Francisco". During "Pride(In the Name of Love)", Bono spray paints "ROCK & ROLL STOPS THE TRAFFIC" on the nearby Vaillancourt Fountain, an act which outrages mayor Diane Feinstein. Bono is summoned to appear in San Francisco Municipal Court on December 16. A week later all charges are dropped. Fienstein loses the next election.

"LoveTown" tour - november 11, 1989 - Auckland / New Zeland - Western Springs Stadium. The second night is hampered by problems in the crowd-roughness and pushing lead to several hundred passing out in the crowd. Support is B.B. King.

"Bono gets MTV Europe´s Free Your Mind Award" - november 11, 1999 - later sings with Iggy Pop and Marilyn Manson. Bono is given the "Free Your Mind" Award at the 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards for his work on behalf of Jubilee 2000 and at NetAid. After the ceremony, Bono joins Iggy Pop and Marilyn Manson (we're not kidding) for an impromptu jam at a post-event private party - they cover "Johnny B. Goode" and "TV Eye" as a trio. "U2 enters UK Music Hall of Fame" - november 11, 2004. U2 is inducted tonight in London as one of the original five members of the new UK Music Hall of Fame. Bono, however, tells reporters that he's not thrilled by the honor. "I really didn't want to come. Only respect for the people who were running the show has me here. I hate the idea of being in the UK Hall of Fame to be honest with you ... We don't want to be in any Hall of Fame until we're retired or dead."

U2´s track to 'Miami Vice: Season Two' - November 11, 2005 - The Most Innovative and Powerful TV Series of Its Time Returns - The Show's Highest-Rated Season Arrives on DVD December 13, 2005 From Universal Studios Home Entertainment. With All the Original Music by Phil Collins, U2, The Who and Many More Remixed in 5.1 Surround Sound!...

Edge on Word Magazine - November 11, 2005: The Edge: My crazy life in U2 - Without his perfectionism, Bono and Co could not have sustained their success. Mark Ellen gets the view from The Edge Published: 11 November 2005. With the roar of applause still filling the night air, the motorcade moves out. There's a howl of sirens, a metal gate springs open and eight black vehicles leap down a concrete ramp and onto the expressway. We barge through stop signs with our motorcycle escort, waved on by police with scarlet light-sabres. We speed over bridges and plunge through tunnels, the neon glow a smear on the windscreen, the sound amplified by the rain. It's completely absurd and really rather thrilling. U2 are "doing a runner". Boston's basketball arena to the airport in just over six minutes. Is that a good runner as runners go? "That's a fantastic runner," The Edge confirms. "I'd give it... ooh, nine point two. Better than Barcelona where they drive at a speed that's actually life-threatening. And better than Italy where the cops bang on your roof with batons." The Edge wipes the condensation from the window and peers into the blur of blinking lights. He shrugs self-consciously in a manner that suggests the whole thing's preposterous but, at their level, it's the only practical way they can operate. "To some extent, you gauge the degree of affection within a city by the quality of the back-up you get," he adds, professionally. "And we've had an amazing connection with Boston over the years. They've always looked after us." Dave Evans has lived like this for nearly 30 years, a cycle of songwriting, recording and performance that started when he was 17. He's known no other life. And for the past 20 years he's operated at this kind of level, travelling with a team of three technicians and 60 crew in order to replicate as faithfully as possible the music he creates in the studio. He was born in Essex to Welsh parents, moved to north Dublin at the age of one - "massive identity crisis!" - and is now 44 with three daughters by his childhood sweetheart, and another daughter and a son by his second wife, the band's former choreographer. He's helped sustain a formula that sells both records and tickets in every last reach of the world market. He's the unsung hero who orchestrates the sound of the greatest rock 'n' roll success story of our time, a band for which his old schoolfriend is largely the public face. "Bono is still hungry and that's the reason the band's lasted so long," The Edge's brother Dik Evans told me. "Bono does his bit - and that's critical - but none of them do as much as my brother. Edge is basically the engine room, working every day in the studio to make the records happen. And they wouldn't happen without him." The convoy grinds to a halt in that remote outpost of Logan airport reserved only for the owners of private aircraft. Small and shiny Lear jets are parked on the tarmac. New and sparkling Gulfstreams stand beside them. And there at the back, dwarfing them all, is a 60-seater Airbus 320 emblazoned with the violet and orange insignia of the Vertigo tour and the logo of the city's four adopted sons. It was from Boston, famously, that the 9/11 terrorists departed - on flights originally heading for Los Angeles - so security is now unimaginably tight. But there is a special dispensation for the quartet who have just entranced the 20,000-seater Fleet Center. "Sir," the customs are reminded, "this gentleman walks right through." America has adopted U2 and nowhere more so than in the city we're leaving. Boston has the highest concentration of Irish immigrants in the States, and a student population of nearly 400,000, and it was East Coast college radio, back in 1981, that first picked up on the music of U2. The Edge remembers playing a bar in Boston to just 300 souls, opening for a band called Malooga. When their support set finished, the entire audience left the venue. They were breaking America below the radar. Twenty-five years later, those 300 were doubtless back to renew the acquaintance, but this time they'd brought 19,700 friends. The roar greeting U2 was deafening, especially from the Irish quarter. One person waved a banner announcing GOD'S COUNTRY. Another hurled his striped green football top over the barrier and The Edge put it on, while the singer stalked the outer limits of the catwalk. Bono looked back, astonished. "Nice shirt, The Edge." He turned to the crowd. "Great to be home with our tribe!" New singles from an act in their third decade are usually met with polite applause - or in the States, cries of "Do some old!" - but U2 have engineered the impossible feat of still being regarded as contemporary. Rarely in a show are you conscious of being plunged back into the past. Their recent material is so strong you don't even feel the need to go there. Every night an entertaining drama is built around the band's inscrutable architect. As The Edge plays a note cycle like the call sign in Close Encounters, Bono leans into the microphone. "This," he points stage left, "is the same sound as The Edge's spaceship made when it arrived in the north of Dublin. Larry and myself and Adam just stood there and stared. A door opened and out came this astounding-looking man. Larry said: 'Who are you?' and he said: 'I am The Edge.' And Adam said: 'Where are you from?' and he said: 'The future.' And I said: 'What's it like?' and he said: 'It's better!' " Half an hour later comes the supreme piece of theatre. Bono asks the crowd to hold up their mobile phones in a digital reconstruction of the Great Cigarette Lighter Scare of the 1970s - in fact, a cunning ruse to then flash them the number of the One campaign for the eradication of Third World debt so they can text their support. Around the amphitheatre, on all six levels, thousands of pale blue lamps twinkle in the heavens. Everyone, even the band, appears stunned by the spectacle. "The Edge," Bono wonders, "is this your galaxy?" The following afternoon, The Edge is to be found in a 12th-floor apartment in SoHo stirring an iced tea and gazing out to New Jersey through a wall of glass. He is good company - thoughtful, quite serious and very dry at times: "What I'm most proud of is my humility," he tells me at one point. His perfectly constructed sentences betray the intense powers of concentration required to operate the gigantic sound system reproduced on stage by, effectively, just a trio with a singer. "Our music has no roof on it. It wasn't inspired by the juke-joint blues mentality, it was coming from a different place. We're playing to our strengths, and our strengths in some ways are to keep it very stripped down and simple." But the trick, presumably, is to create a sense of intimacy, even when playing in an enormous space. "Well I've seen bands in small venues and they can't communicate and I've seen stadium shows where everyone is completely unified, so it's not really about the size of the venue. It's largely about the songs. I saw Bob Marley in Dalymount Park, in Dublin, in '79, his last tour I think, and it was just unarguable. I've seen Springsteen on a couple of occasions where it's been unbelievable, that connection he's been able to create. I never saw The Clash in a big venue but they were one of the great live acts of all time, as were Stiff Little Fingers. "I saw the Waterboys in the Top Hat, in Dun Laoghaire, around the time of "The Whole Of The Moon", one of those nights where it just went off - the intention, the will, the wish to communicate, to get across to a crowd. Mike Scott was a great talent. It's not about internal performance, not about trying to maintain your cool. All that left me with an instinct about what's required to put on a great concert, where there's never a dull moment in the night. A lot of it is pure theatre. Springsteen has theatre. Jimi Hendrix had theatre. The Clash had theatre. But if that's all it is, then it loses out. You have to have an aspect of spontaneity where you really don't know what's going to happen. A jeopardy. An interaction between the performer and the audience." How do U2 write songs? "You start by being the new generation that establishes its identity by rejecting the previous generation, that's part of the cycle. But in the end you keep writing till you get close to what you think is the best song in the world." Which for you would be what? "Different things for different times. We'd always go to different people in our heads. It could be Bob Marley. It could be John Lennon. It could be The Clash. Early on it was probably The Fall, the Bunnymen, Magazine. All those influences are there at the back of your mind when you're working on something, and you kind of jump off those influences. But we've never put anything out because it reminded us of somebody. In the end it's got to be something unique. "I thought 'Out Of Control' was too like the Skids but in the end it sounded like us. 'Running To Stand Still', I was worried it sounded too much like Lou Reed. The first version of 'One', which I did with just an acoustic guitar and a piano, I thought sounded too much like John Lennon. Everyone else was saying: 'You're going to have to kick it somewhere else.' Then Brian [Eno] and Danny [Lanois, the co-producers] came in and gave it another twist and I came up with the electric guitar part." "I gave it a tweak," says Lanois, "and I put that Les Paul mantra line on it. Edge is smart enough, they all are, to let ideas come from any part of the studio. They've had a number of very beautiful songs based on four repeat-chords, but he is the master of the riff, one of the great musical forces. He's the driving wheel, pretty much in charge of what happens harmonically." "I said let's knock it around for half an hour," recalls The Edge, "and we went back to the main room at Hansa - this huge room, a fantastic 1920s ballroom in Berlin; Bowie made Low there, Nick Cave's recorded there. All four of us went in, I started playing the chords, Bono got on-mike and got that idea of the 'one' chorus pretty much in the first improvisation, and it had an amazing emotional feeling. It was pretty much there in three hours. "Ultimately, if rock 'n' roll is going to be around in 500 years' time, it's going to be because people are still writing great songs. Bob Dylan was quoted as saying: 'I can't write those songs any more, I can't write like I did in the Sixties.' I'm not sure that I would agree with him - though he would know better about himself than I would - but our thing is always changing. We are still learning as a band after 25 years and that's about as good as it's ever going to get." He talks about the score to the Spider-Man musical he's writing with Bono, intended as a Broadway production in two years' time. And about his wife and how she says he's insufferable for the first month after he comes off tour - at eight every night he gets this tremendous burst of adrenaline. But mostly he talks about his relationship with three other boys from Mount Temple Comprehensive and the luck, hard work and delicate negotiation that's allowed their relationship to survive. "Not everything Bono does would I necessarily agree with, but you've got to acknowledge that everyone's got their own particular opinion. We don't like all that the others do, but it's the compromise that makes it work. Nobody has ever betrayed their initial commitment to the group and what's best for it. It's all about the songs. If it's great, it's great in spite of us, not because of us. I honestly still think of us as four chancers from north Dublin." The three other chancers get a little emotional when asked to shine the light on the engine room. "Edge, when I met him, always had this otherworldly quality," Adam Clayton reflects, "along with amused, detached cool. My impression now is exactly the same." "In nearly 30 years," Larry Mullen says, "I've learnt never to underestimate him. On any level. His dogged, relentless search for the perfect song, the perfect sound, the perfect idea. He possesses so many qualities I aspire to." Bono's slice of poetry is delivered with a wolfish grin: "Beneath the stillness, the Zen-like mastery of arpeggios and perfectly chosen crystal notes, there is a rage, an explosive side, as I've learnt on more than a few occasions. Never pick a fight with a man who earns his living through perfect hand-to-eye co-ordination." This is an edited extract from a longer interview in the current edition of 'The Word'.

121st VERTIGO show - November 11, 2006 - SYDNEY - AUSTRALIA - Telstra Stadium - Kanye West - At the second concert in Sydney, U2 made three major adjustments to the previous night's setlist. The first was the return of I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, which missed the first two Australian shows despite being a Vertigo Tour setlist regular since June 2005. The second was Stuck In A Moment, and unlike the stripped down performances played previously on Vertigo, this was a full band version much like the Elevation Tour's version, and it was dedicated to Michael Hutchence. The third change, and by far the biggest surprise, was the appearance of a full band, electric version of Desire in the second encore. This song has only been played once before on the Vertigo Tour; Bono and Edge played an acoustic version on 21 February 2006 in Sao Paulo in response to an audience member's request. Tonight's version was a ramshackle and rough affair, but nonetheless fun and enjoyable. City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo - She Loves You / Elevation - Spinning Around / Until The End Of The World / New Year's Day / Beautiful Day - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (snippet) - Blackbird (snippet) - Bono speech - said everyone in the family is well / I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In A Little While (snippet) / Stuck In A Moment / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - Torna a Surriento (snippet) / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday (Father Abraham bit) / Bullet the Blue Sky - Hands That Built America - When Johnny Comes Marching Home / Miss Sarajevo - Human Rights / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One - My Sweet Lord / ENCORE: Zoo Station / The Fly / With Or Without You - Never Tear Us Apart - Love Will Tear Us Apart (Snippet) / Saints Are Coming / Desire - Not Fade Away - Gold Digger / Kite - source: macphisto.net. Sydney's atmosphere. 'I know this is not goodbye' ... There’s been a Japanese TV crew here today, and as well as talking to Larry and Edge about the upcoming Japanese dates and the release of ‘U218 Singles’, they are shooting the show. The showers from last night are nowhere to be seen as the band arrive on stage and by the time we reach Elevation, Bono slips a little Kylie into the set – a lovely touch as she is also performing in town tonight, now recovered from illness. ... ‘This is the third time we've played this tune,’ says Bono, as The Saints Are Coming bursts into the night air like it’s 1978. ‘Want to dedicate this to our friends in Green Day and the people in Louisiana…New Orleans...’ ... ‘There’s three things that connect the Irish and the Aboriginal culture,’ muses Bono. ‘Humour, story telling and a fierce temper...’ the crowd - - flickr - Edge - The bnd - U2-Vertigo-tour

I Still Haven't Found ...



Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Shows: New Issue of Rolling Stone - 11/11/09


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U2 Tell the Story Behind 'The Unforgettable Fire' -- Exclusive Video Posted on Nov 11th 2009 11:15AM by Ashley Iasimone With the recent 25th anniversary special edition reissue of 1984's 'The Unforgettable Fire,' U2 are stepping back to remember the making of the album. Bono and company employed producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois to help them experiment musically, and while it seemed like an unlikely combination then, their work on 'The Unforgettable Fire' led to a creative breakthrough for the band. It also helped to deliver the lead single 'Pride (In the Name of Love),' which became U2's biggest hit at the time. In the exclusive interview clip after the jump, U2 discuss Eno, Lanois and Ireland's Slane Castle, where the album was initially recorded. Watch the video to find out how the experience "deconstructed U2" and what the band learned from it.


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