'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.