Latest U2 News & Information

Associated Press

After a career playing to sold-out stadiums, U2 did what their fans have done for years _ stood in line to see U2 perform.

That concert was “U2 3D,” a film of the band’s 2005-06 Vertigo tour, shot at several shows in South America with new 3-D technology.

“I was really hoping we weren’t crap after all these years. Luckily we weren’t,” guitarist The Edge told The Associated Press before the band donned plastic glasses to watch the movie’s premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday night.

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Band dust off rare track for acoustic show

U2’s Bono and The Edge played a surprise gig tonight (November 23) at London’s Union Chapel.

Playing as part of Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions, the duo surprised the audience with a four song set which included rare track ‘Wave Of Sorrow’.

The identity of the ’special guests’ was shrouded in mystery when introduced by host Jo Whiley as “a new band with a lot of potential…Dave the guitarist is very nervous…If he makes a mistake forgive him, he’s new. The singer is very shy.”

The band opened with ‘Zooropa’ track ‘Stay (Faraway, So Close)’ with Bono reading the lyrics off a sheet on a music stand.

The singer changed the lyrics: “You can go anywhere/ Miami, New Orleans, London, Belfast and Berlin” to “ You can go anywhere/ Miami, New Orleans, Belfast and Islington,” which was met by roars of approval from the crowd.

After the track finished The Edge said : “I hope you like our new direction.”

Launching into ‘Desire’, Bono ad libbed parts of INXS‘ ‘Need You Tonight’ into the track. He sang the lyrics “I’ve got to let you know / You’re one of my kind.”

He started clapping before taking out a harmonica to play on the track’s distinctive finish.

Bono introduced ‘Angel Of Harlem’ by saying : “This is our only Christmas song.”

After a false start which saw the singer sing the start of ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ by Bob Dylan over The Edge’s riff, the duo continued.

At one point Bono said : “Merry Christmas Yoko.”

When the song finished the pair shook hands.

Bono then introduced the next track by saying : “So about 20 years ago we started a tune on ‘The Joshua Tree’ and yesterday we just finished it. This song is based on the experiences that my lovely wife Ali had in Ethiopia.

“You forget that this was the land of the Queen Of Sheeba…I was 25 and it was an extraordinary time to be there…It was an overwhelming experience.

“This (song) has never been played before. Just don’t tell Larry (Mullen) and Adam (Clayton) we’re doing it…Oh Adam’s here! This is for you sir.”

They played ‘Wave Of Sorrow’ with The Edge playing the keyboards.

Bono said : “Thanks for being so generous,” and The Edge said : “I hope you didn’t notice there were a few mistakes but I was told that was okay…I felt the love.”

-NME

U2 are reportedly planning to play a series of gigs at London’s 02 Arena in 2008.

According to thisislondon, the veteran rockers will be playing 21 nights at the venue.

It is reported that the concerts will follow the completion of the band’s new album at some point next year.

U2 will be following the precedent set by Prince, who played 21 nights at the arena in September.

The Irish rockers are currently working with Brian Eno in the studio on the follow-up to 2004’s How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

-DigitalSpy

U2exit.com: U2 are urging fans not to purchase tickets for the concerts - because they have not scheduled any gigs for 2008. A statement from the group reads, “There are no plans for live dates next year - so please don’t buy tickets for any U2 shows you see advertised.”

This is filed under rumors! 

CLAREMONT - U2 singer Bono left his bandmates behind Tuesday night for a speaking engagement at the Claremont Colleges, where he highlighted problems of poverty and disease in Africa and outlined his ideas for helping the continent.

Thousands of Africans die every day from treatable diseases such as AIDS and malaria, and though the developed world already provides aid to the continent, Africa needs more, Bono said.

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October 28, 2007 — U2’s Bono (pictured right, inset) monkeys around with Finn, 21 months, the son of filmmaker Ed Burns and supermodel Christy Turlington, at a Halloween party in TriBeCa’s Washington Market Park yesterday.

-New York Post

Oct. 25 (Bloomberg) — With an appearance by Bono and a concert featuring Gwen Stefani and Alicia Keys, organizers of a Manhattan fundraiser tonight to raise $1.5 million for AIDS promise it won’t be standard benefit fare.

At most galas, “you get your charity chicken, the entertainment goes on too long and the music is awful,” said Leigh Blake, executive director of Keep a Child Alive, a nonprofit that provides medicine for AIDS-infected adults and children in Africa and India. “Our event is not stodgy.”

Bono, the 47-year-old activist and lead singer of the Irish band U2, who was born Paul David Hewson, is being honored and isn’t scheduled to perform at Hammerstein Ballroom. Keys, the 26-year-old R&B singer, will take the stage before 1,200 guests, along with Sheryl Crow and Stefani.

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U2 frontman Bono showered attention on House freshman Democratic lawmakers Wednesday during their weekly breakfast meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

The Irish-born rocker-slash-philanthropist was on the Hill to solicit ideas for publicizing the successes of U.S. government programs and his own charitable initiatives in combating poverty, AIDS and other ills in Africa.
Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) started the morning meal by giving Bono a pop quiz in U.S. geography, asking whether he could locate the congressman’s home state on a map, according to sources.

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The City of Brotherly Love has a thing for Bono.

U2’s do-gooding frontman was feted Thursday in Philadelphia, where he collected the city’s Liberty Medal for his humanitarian work and activism on behalf of Africa’s poor.

“When you are trapped by the poverty, you are not free. When trade laws prevent you from selling the food you grew, you are not free,” the “One” singer told a crowd of VIPs after receiving the accolade from former President George H.W. Bush.

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