Latest U2 News & Information

The well-oiled musical machine known as U2 is currently cooped up in Dublin with longtime cohorts Briano Eno and Daniel Lanois working on its forthcoming album, according to Billboard. The iconic Irish rockers have spent time prior to this amassing new material on three separate occasions in other exotic locales, such as Morocco and France, and Lanois purports the results to be “prolific.”

Moreover, Lanois hinted at the much-speculated notion of a double disc due to the luxuriant nature of these sessions. The yet-to-be-titled album will serve as the follow-up to the band’s 2004 release, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

In addition to the aforementioned news, U2 has revealed a new charity single titled “The Ballad Of Ronnie Drew,” which will initially be available in Ireland only this Friday, February 22 and a week later on CD. The song boasts appearances by the Pogues’ Shane MacGowan, the Frames’ Glen Hansard, Sinead O’Connor, Andrea Corr, Damien Dempsey, Ronan Keating, Chris de Burgh, Gavin Friday and members of the Dubliners. At the request of Ronnie Drew himself, all proceeds collected through this tributary endeavor will go to the Cancer Society.

Story by: Joshua Pressman

U2 producer Daniel Lanois has been talking about the recording of the band’s new album, which resumes this week in Dublin’s Windmill Lane studio.

“We’ve had a few very successful jam sessions so far, including one in Morocco,” the Canadian enthuses. “I’m very excited about what we’re doing. Everyone has an appetite for breaking new ground and everybody wants to make a masterpiece.

“We’re not taking anything for granted. We don’t think it’s going to be easy. In fact, it’s always hard work and I like it that way. When the work is hard, you know you’re busting through something that hasn’t been done before.”

Asked what the follow-up to How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb will sound like, Lanois says: “I can tell you a little bit about the fundamental quality. It’s very much hand-played but it’s also electro.”

- HotPress NewsDesk

U2 has hit the studio in Dublin to continue work on its next studio album with longtime collaborators Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. “We’re going to try and break new sonic ground and deliver a masterpiece,” Lanois tells Billboard.com. “The sleeves are rolled up. Bono is all charged up with a lyrical angle.”

As previously reported, U2, Eno and Lanois have spent time working on new material on three prior occasions in France and Morocco, and Lanois confirms the results are prolific.

“There’s so much material,” he says, referring to speculation that the sessions could yield two new albums. “When you get Eno and I and those guys in the room, before lunch there’s like eight things.” Read the rest of this story »

MANILA, Philippines - As talk persisted among internet chat groups
that the Irish rock band U2 is set to play in Manila, Inquirer
Entertainment sought to verify the wild rumor.

The information we gathered was exciting enough to share with readers.
“Yes, we’re working on it,” said an officer of Concertus, an events,
concerts and marketing affiliate of MTV Philippines. Read the rest of this story »

Although releasing the documentary film Here Is What Is on DVD next month, as well as a CD of the same name, musician and acclaimed producer Daniel Lanois is probably packing his bags now. On Monday, he’s off to Dublin to begin recording with U2 on their next studio album, the follow-up to 2004’s How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

“I’m going to work with them in a week,” Lanois says from Los Angeles.

“We’ve had a few very successful jam sessions so far, including one in Morocco. I’m very excited about what we’re doing. Everyone has an appetite for breaking new ground and everybody wants to make a masterpiece. Read the rest of this story »

Band’s Manager hints Irish group may consider residency

After rumours U2 might play the O2 Arena, the band’s manager has added to the speculation that they might now play the London venue.

According to CMU Daily Paul McGuinness has said the band, who are expected to return with a new album later this year, may consider playing multiple dates at the venue.

“The O2 has] got great potential for U2,” he said, “and because it’s undercover you can do a run of shows in the autumn.”

Their residency could follow Prince’s mammoth 21-date run of shows last year.

Oasis and Coldplay are also said to be looking at play the O2 this year.

-NME