U2 play final 360° Dublin show
Monday, July 27, 2009, 21:15



U2 returned to Croke Park tonight for the final of three Irish concerts in their 360° world tour.

Two Irish acts supported the band - Dublin pop rock trio The Script and Kildare’s Bell X1. The gates opened at 6pm, the show starts at 6.30pm and U2 were due on stage at 9pm.

Gardaí earlier issued warnings about traffic around the stadium as the concert coincided with rush-hour, as well as the opening of the Ikea store in Ballymun and the commencement of a new bus gate restricting traffic at College Green.

Bono is expected to announce during the concert that human rights group Amnesty International has confeered its annual 'Ambassador of Conscience' award on Burma's jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Ms Suu Kyi's trial for violating the terms and conditions of her house arrest resumed on July 24th. If convicted, she could face up to five years in jail.

The award , now in its sixth year, recognises "exceptional leadership and witness in the fight to protect and promote human rights". Past winners of the award include Peter Gabriel, Nelson Mandela and Mary Robinson.

Weather for Dublin tonight is expected to be mainly dry and breezy with scattered showers.

U2 played two sell out shows in Dublin on Friday and Saturday night - a nightly audience of some 80,000.

The band began their world tour in Barcelona on June 30th and will next play in Gothenburg, Sweden for two nights.

Tomorrow the almost 60-metre high “claw” stage will begin to be dismantled. It is expected to take 42 hours to take down the entire stage structure.

The Croke Park pitch is then to be prepared for the all-Ireland senior football quarter finals which will take place over the bank holiday weekend. There will be a double-header on Sunday with as Cork to take on Donegal at 2pm before Tyrone meet Kildare at 4pm. On Monday Kerry will take on Dublin.

With no games at Croke Park on Saturday, the GAA has given more time to prepare the pitch.

Croke Park residents are to protest outside the stadium three times tomorrow over what they say is the contempt shown to them by Dublin City Council, the GAA and the U2 concert promoters.

One of the protests will involve a slow-moving convoy of residents in their cars, designed to disrupt the work of dismantling the stage used for the three concerts, and putting down a new pitch.

The residents are particularly incensed that the works will take place continuously to get the stadium ready for the football fixtures.

irishtimes

U2's refusal to stagnate blows away any weary familiarity
Monday, July 27, 2009



IT’S LIKE this: every four years, U2 return home from their travels, set up their inordinately large and mostly innovative tent, and sing for their supper. No more and no less, they are entertainers, a rock band of a certain mature age that have been schlepping around the globe for over 30 years.

You would think by this stage that we (by this, I mean the band’s die-hard fans, cynics, casual followers, staunchest critics, wry observers) would be weary of Adam Clayton’s studied stoicism, Edge’s adamant refusal to remove his skull cap, Larry’s cavalier, muscular way with a white T-shirt, Bono’s sincere humanistic nature. You would think that we would be tired of hearing, yet again, With or Without You, Where the Streets Have No Name, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Desire, Elevation and all the rest.

And you know what? Such is the nature of familiarity, we probably are fed up with U2. Yet still they continue to surprise and extend themselves. Cynics and arch critics of the band may start to yawn or laugh by this point ­ yes, we’re giving you permission – but there remains at the core of U2 an obvious if not obsessive necessity to weave change in and out of the fabric of their music and performance. Whether you’re a fan or not, after 30 years on the go this type of resistance to stagnate is beyond admirable.

Once you get over the impressive presence of the veined ‘Claw’ (which, due to the spatial dynamics of Croke Park, is more 270- than 360-degree), what you’re left with is just four blokes, an excellent sound system, some very large hi-tech screens, subtle and effective visuals and rock music that ranges from heritage to extraordinary.

The band bookend Friday night’s set with two of the best tracks from their, comparatively speaking, underperforming latest album, No Line On The Horizon: Breathe and Moment of Surrender . The title track, Get On Your Boots (the weakest single U2 has released to date) and Magnificent (aptly titled) follow, the latter picking up slack before belting into a triple whammy of Beautiful Day, Elevation and Desire. They follow this with a stripped down version of Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of , wherein Edge strums acoustic guitar and Bono sings as if there’s 80 in the room, not 80,000. And then Bono and the crowd launch into a rugged rendition of The Auld Triangle , which is dedicated to Ronnie Drew. People, there was not a dry eye in the house.

These songs and more (including One , The End of the World, The Unforgettable Fire, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Walk On, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Where the Streets have No Name , and Bad ) constitute a series of moments that result in a pin-sharp point of fact: there is no other rock band in the world capable of maintaining such a steady level of quality at such a high level of performance.

The downside to this is that we shall probably never again see U2 in venues small enough to see the whites of their eyes, a stance that seriously undermines their battle-cry ethos of ‘He Who Dares Wins’. On this particular grand, wham-bam-thank-you-maam scale, however – where four ordinary blokes perform in front of almost a quarter of a million people over three nights, where the music often matches the ambition, they are simply unbeatable.

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times
irishtimes

Boys can still party as hard as they play with three nights of clubbing

By Lorna Nolan


Monday July 27 2009

U2 had a well-earned day off from their tour -- but Bono still made time for a close friend's star-studded birthday bash.

The singer was among the guests who attended the 50th birthday of MCD supremo Denis Desmond at his Dalkey home.

Bono rubbed shoulders with Pat Kenny and his wife Kathy, Deirdre O'Kane, Slane Castle's Lord Henry Mountcharles and TV presenter Amanda Byram.

Robbie Wooton, U2's manager Paul McGuinness and property tycoon Johnny Ronan were also spotted making their way to the party yesterday.

Others included Michael Colgan, Noelle McCarthy, Jackie Rafter, Graham Beere, Paolo Tuillo, Robbie and Chris Moyles.

And the couple sure know how to throw a party, with two barbecues, a champagne bar, a vodka bar and ice sculptures all laid on for guests.

U2 proved they can still party with the best of them when they stepped out to some of Dublin's top nightspots three days on the trot, following their sell-out Friday and Saturday night gigs.

And they threw a star-studded after-party for family and friends on Saturday night. The famous foursome booked out the entire top floor of a St Stephen's Green club for the bash, with celebs including Bono's artist pal Guggi and singer Sinead O'Connor.

Members of supporting acts on the night, The Kaiser Chiefs and Republic of Loose, were also said to have been in attendance.

One regular at the vastly overrated club, which normally loses VIPs to Krystle, said those who pay the hefty annual membership fee at the club were not allowed upstairs.

Security

Keen to enjoy their celebrations away from the prying eyes of the media, an insider explained how U2 insisted on having a tight security plan to ensure no gate-crashers found their way in.

The Elevation singers are then said to have retired to their city centre hotel, the Clarence.

Tonight will see the boys take to the stage for their final date in Dublin, with The Script and Bell X1 lined up as accompanying acts, and the party of all parties planned for afterwards.

While the details are being kept under tight wraps, it is believed the guys are planning to return to their old haunt, Lillie's Bordello, for the shindig.

lnolan@herald.ie

- Lorna Nolan

source: herald

David Byrne Calls Out U2!
The ex-Talking Heads frontman criticizes the Irish band's extravagant new tour. Get the whole story here!
By David Marchese 07.29.09 8:26 AM


Bono / David ByrneBono and David Byrne might not be shaking hands the next time they meet at that magical exclusive place where rock stars go to hang out.

Writing on his blog recently, the ex-Talking Heads frontman crankily called out the Irish megastar.

With what seems to be at least half-a-tongue planted in his cheek, Byrne wrote that U2's "$40 million stage" and estimated "200 semi trucks crisscrossing Europe" is "overkill" and "looks a wee bit out of balance given all the starving people in Africa and all."

Byrne's obvious sarcasm aside, this is not the first criticism of U2's world tour behind their latest album
No Lin On The Horizon. Earlier this year, an article in the UK's Guardian explained that, according to an environmental group, "the band's 44 concert dates this year have the equivalent carbon footprint of a return flight to Mars." In the same story, environmental consultant Helen Roberts said the band would "need to plant 20,118 trees a year" to offset the tour's carbon footprint.

Though they have yet to respond, Bono and the lads probably know that actions speak louder than words. Back in March, the band
announced they were donating an estimated nine million pounds (roughly $13 million dollars) to charity. In 2008, Bono's RED charity auction raised $42 million to fight AIDS in Africa. Then there's his work for Third World debt relief.

Surely there are better targets than Bono for this kind of criticism, no?

source: spin

U2 Boys Home to Party...
July 27, 2009

Ireland's most famous sons Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen returned to their Northside roots this weekend and brought their gigantic 360 tour to Croker. The U2 boys also showed they haven't lost their taste for the Rock 'n' Roll lifestyle with a rather late afterparty at Residence...



By the end of the Irish leg of U2's 360 tour the uber famous Dubliners will have played live to almost quarter of a million people over the three nights in Croke Park. Such is the popularity of the band's homecoming show the fourpiece could probably sell out Croker all week. And next week too.



But seeing as the U2ers were back on home soil, there was always going to be a few bevies had. And true to form Bono and the boys (minus Larry Mullen) let lose into the wee hours on Saturday night at Residence on St Stephen's Green...



And with no concert pressure on Sunday, the U2 guys had license to booze on Saturday night and sleep-off the hangover the following morning. And we’re pretty sure they needed it as they didn't leave the plush private club until well after 3am. Good to see the boys still aint to old to party hard.



All eyes were on Adam Clayton at the weekend after we snapped him with his arm around a mystery brunette in the back of a car on Friday night. It seems the same attractive lady was also his guest at Residence on Saturday night, but her identity still remains a mystery... Anyone out there know who Adam's suspected latest squeeze is?



Other privileged guests of U2 at Residence were: Sinead O'Connor, Chris Moyles, Kevin Godley, Guggi, Gavin Friday, Norman Hewson and Amanda Brunker... But no sign of Bono's missus or The Edge's better half.



U2 play their final 360 concert tonight at Croke Park, so if you haven't already experienced their live show this time around, we really recommend you get onto eBay quick and try and get your maulers on a ticket...



In fact, if anyone out there has a spare one or two we wouldn't mind catching the last night of U2 in Dublin... Can't believe we just tried to mooch tickets from ever so loyal readers. Necky or what?





showbizireland

80,000 pack in for U2 home gigs
July 25, 2009


Part of the 80,000-strong crowd watching U2 at their homecoming concert

They have been rocking for 33 years, but U2 showed there was still a spring in their step in Dublin on Friday.

The Irish rock superstars played in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park in the first of three concerts at the stadium.

"In the words of our good friends the Corrs, we are so young," lead singer Bono, who turns 50 next year, shouted, at the start of Beautiful Day.

"As a nation I mean," he added pointing to the crowd.

U2 had promised fans a night and a stage show to remember - and they weren't going to let anyone down.

Once they performed tracks from their latest album, the band launched into their greatest hits.

Bono also paid tribute to Ronnie Drew of the Dubliners, who died last year, by playing one of their tracks the Auld Triangle.

U2 dazzled fans from inside a giant steel claw that rose to 60 metres high above the crown - almost as tall as the stands surrounding it.

It took a week to construct the impressive setting, that included 550 tonnes of steel, 56 tonnes of video screens and spanned across a third of the pitch.

Music aside, the band's political allegiance was clear - with a dedication to jailed Burmese politician Aung San Suu Kyi, currently on trial charged with breaking a security law.

Thousands of concert-goers wore a mask bearing her image when the band played Walk On.


Bono and Larry Mullen Jnr from U2 playing at Croke Park

Fans queued from midnight last night in torrential rain to catch the band up close.

Over the coming days more than 240,000 revellers from as far as Japan, Canada and America will descend on the north Dublin stadium - the equivalent to three All Ireland's finals back to back.

It is estimated the series of gigs - tonight, tomorrow and Monday - will boost the city's economy by 50 million euro.

Celia Braga, from Lisbon in Portugal, was in the audience.

"I am a big fan," said the 36-year-old.

"This is my first time seeing them. It will be a fantastic night."

Ahead of the gig Bono told fans via a website link-up: "The 'rehearsals' have been going really well. We've been rehearsing in Barcelona, Milan, Nice, Berlin and Amsterdam, but we expect that the main event in Dublin will be better than any of them."

The Edge added: "It's not just another show, for us or for the fans. They travel from all over the world to see us perform in Dublin. Most of them believe it's the best gig for them to attend."

Concert promoters MCD and gardai again appealed to concert-goers to follow traffic plans in the area and respect local residents.


bbc

U2 stage set 'the biggest in rock history'
July 22, 2009

RONAN MCGREEVY
U2's stage show for this weekend's series of concerts at Croke Park is the biggest in rock music history, the band's tour director has said.

The colossal edifice, which resembles a giant claw, is nearly 60 metres high and the same distance wide.

It is currently being put in place for the concerts which take place on Friday, Saturday and Monday nights.

Craig Evans said the band had spared no expense in putting the 360 tour together and the travelling party numbered around 500 people with 2,000 people in each city being involved in ancillary activities such as ticket sales and promotion.

Mr Evans said the band have been “thrilled for a long time” about the prospects of playing three concerts in their home town. However, he expressed regret that the full 360 experience of playing in the round will not be available to Irish fans because of the layout of Croke Park.

The audience will not be allowed on Hill 16 behind the main stage because of health and safety concerns.

“It's a shame. we're subject to the design and physical limitations of every stadium. With the power and access and safety requirement and sound requirement, this stadium just doesn't allow it," he said.

"We looked at every option we could to put people back there. We wanted to be able to utilise that. It is fantastic when you see it in the round.”

However, fans will be able to go to the pitch area at the back of the stage giving a semblance of the band playing in the round.

Tickets are still available for Friday and Monday night's concerts. Promoter MCD's spokesman Justin Green said fans were coming from as far away as Brazil, Japan, Canada and the US to watch U2 play their home town and the event was attracting 300 foreign media personnel.

He also said the Irish Hotels Federation was on the record as saying that this was one of the first weekends of the year where all hotels in the city are booked up.

Gardaí urged motorists to avoid the Croke Park area in the lead-up to the concerts especially on Monday when Ikea opens in Ballymun and Dublin city's new bus gate at Trinity College opens.

Unfortunately, heavy showers are forecast for Friday, though Saturday should be a better day. Monday is likely to see more of the same so fans are asked to dress for the weather.
irishtimes