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U2 performed a “surprise” rooftop concert on the BBC Broadcasting House on London, England’s Regent Street today (Friday) to promote the March 3 release of No Line On The Horizon.
The concert, which started around 7 p.m. local time and was streamed online through various websites, began with the new record’s first single, “Get On Your Boots” (which Bono says is an east African slang term for using a condom). Bono occasionally leaned over the railing to look at the crowd and thanked fans for sticking with them because “we’re not going away anytime soon.”
U2 also performed “Magnificent” and “Vertigo,” which Bono dedicated to his fear of heights. “Vertigo” concluded with Bono singing a snippet of The Beatles’ “She Loves You,” which was perhaps a nod to the Fab Four’s 1969 rooftop gig in London. The short set ended with “Beautiful Day.”
The BBC is dedicating a lot of airtime to U2 this week, but the national public broadcaster was forced to issue an apology this morning after Bono called Coldplay singer Chris Martin a wanker during an interview with Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley. Whiley played a Coldplay song before U2′s arrival in the studio and asked Bono if Martin was as talented as Paul McCartney.”
I think he’s that good a melodist, but he’s a wanker,” was Bono’s reply.
Whiley cut him off and asked for an apology, to which Bono responded, “I’m a reformed character, I don’t any more.”
Bono went on to say that Martin was “obviously a completely dysfunctional character and a cretin, but he happens to be a great melodist and up there with Ray Davies, Noel Gallagher and Paul McCartney.”
Whiley was still offended and offered this to listeners: “I’m sorry if anyone is listening at the moment who were offended by the words that Bono said. I will apologize on his behalf.”
Bono later backtracked by saying, “I think [Coldplay] are a great band and, actually, it turns out [Martin's] a great soul as well. Sorry about that. I was just joking entirely.” Bono and Martin performed together in London at a War Child benefit concert last week after the BRIT Awards.
U2 will appear on The Late Show With David Letterman for five nights next week.
- ChartAttack
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