Even while maintaining its status as one of the few musical acts that can still fill stadiums, U2 is struck by how quickly its world is changing – musically and politically.

Charismatic front man Bono, in a reflective mood as U2 closes the North American leg of its “360″ tour, notes the different, more polarized atmosphere in the United States since the band performed its anthem, “City of Blinding Lights,” at President Obama’s inauguration in January.

“I didn’t think it could come to this so quickly, after the joyous occasion of that election,” Bono says in an interview on board the band’s plane, as they jet to another stop on the tour. “I thought America was looking good. … Things are getting a little rough now.”

Bono says he’s been in touch with Obama and is confident the president will deliver on promises made during the campaign, including the singer’s favourite issue: funding to fight AIDS in Africa. “The Obama administration is just getting going. (He) has promised to double aid over the next years, because even though (President George W.) Bush tripled it, … the United States is still about half as what European countries give as a percentage, and I think he knows that’s not right.” Read the rest of this entry »

Photo by Spun2U

Caroline Syverson, 14, was eating a sandwich, late Tuesday afternoon, before going to her first U2 concert, with her friend and her stepfather and her stepfather’s girlfriend. “I just want to see if Bono is wearing sunglasses,” she said. “And if he’s going to take them off.”

Just after “Beautiful Day,” four songs into a thunderous, nearly sold-out show at the Georgia Dome, Bono took off his sunglasses. Beads of sweat dotted his face –  a vein stood out in  his temple. “Thank you all,” he told the audience, “for helping us build this—madness.”

And then he gestured up. Above him, all around him, was the 170-ton, four-pronged stage, looking like a metal claw from the Planet of Giant Robot Crabs.

“Really, we built it to get closer to you,” Bono said.

Joke? Hard to know. Because the massive stage was engineered for stadiums and halls big enough to generate their own weather. How do you get close to 65,000 people at a time? Read the rest of this entry »

Legendary Irish band U2 has never before given concerts in Russia, but will come to Moscow next summer for their first live show – the U2 360° Tour – in support of the band’s latest studio album “No Line on the Horizon.”

The tour started in 2009, and the rockers, inspired by their last album’s success, decided to continue their tour in 2010. “European fans who missed out in 2009 will have a new opportunity to experience the U2 360° Tour extravaganza, with stops confirmed in Germany, Denmark, Finland, Russia, Austria, Greece, Turkey, France, Brussels, Spain and Portugal,” the band’s website reports.

U2 will travel with loads of technical gadgets and a huge stage crew to organize the dream performance for the stars. A perfectly round stage is among the hardware allowing each spectator see all the nuances of the show. Apart from the stage, the spectacle will also be equipped with numerous screens, and other visual effects.

Laurence Carolin recently received VIP treatment from the group U2 before a concert at Soldier Field in Chicago. The 15-year-old's first wish through the Make-a-Wish foundation was to meet Bono. When that fell through, the generosity of his second wish caught the attention of the band, the United Nation's One Foundation and residents across the country.

For 15-year-old Laurence Carolin, two wishes have been granted through his experience with the Make-a-Wish program. And skeptics would be hard pressed to find someone more deserving.

Two years ago, when Laurence began slipping into an extreme depression, his family knew something was wrong. The 13-year-old had been known for his upbeat attitude and compassion for others since he arrived in his parents’ arms from South Korea in 1995.

Still, he continued to spiral into a life-threatening state. While fighting suicidal thoughts, he clung to the lyrics of the songs from one of his favorite bands, U2.

Laurence was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive and malignant form of cancer and Laurence was offered a wish from the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He chose to meet Bono, U2’s lead singer and an advocate for the world’s poor.

“I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for their music and the lyrics from their songs,” said Laurence.

When his first wish was denied, Laurence thought long and hard about what he wanted to request for his second wish.

“I should have thought of my next wish as my first wish,” said Laurence. “It’s a much better wish. I have everything that I need. (So I requested) to give the money they would have used on my wish to the United Nations Fund (to combat) extreme global poverty.”

And Laurence didn’t stop there. Since making his second wish and donating his Make-a-Wish check to the One Campaign, he has worked hard to spread the news of extreme global poverty to others. He interviewed with several newspapers and magazines in both Tennessee and Michigan, and has been featured on the radio. His school paper on extreme poverty received a standing ovation at his eighth-grade commencement services.

His new passion even caught the eye of Bono, himself. Laurence received a call from both Bono and The Edge at his home. Unfortunately, he was not there. The band members left him a message and Bono sent a book, signed personally to him.

On Sept. 13, Laurence and a large group of family and friends attended a U2 concert at Soldier Field in Chicago. Members of the One Campaign met Laurence, his father, Patrick Carolin of Newbern and his mother, Lisa Carolin of Ann Arbor, Mich., before the concert and led them to a room.

“Eventually, we were led to Bono, who treated Laurence like a king,” said Patrick Carolin. “He was respectful, engaging, and called Laurence ‘an inspiration’.”

Bono presented Laurence with a signed note with the evening’s set list.

Laurence gave Bono two papers – the paper he wrote for school on extreme poverty and another relating how the band’s music and lyrics helped him through his depression.

“After reading these items, instead of ending the meeting, Bono asked if he could take Laurence for a little while,” said Patrick Carolin. “The manager later told us he was going to the private prayer that the band has before each show with only their personal minister.”

The young man wasn’t the only person inspired through the meeting with the band members who brought him hope in a dark time and purpose through an even harder time.

“Fifteen minutes later (Laurence) came back with Bono,” said Patrick Carolin. “Bono told me that they travel to many places to do shows. One night blends into the next and the band meeting Laurence reminded them of their purpose.”

- State Gazette

They may be the biggest rock band in the world, playing sold-out shows around the globe on a weekly basis, but that doesn’t mean U2 is rolling in the dough.

The longtime manager of the Irish rockers, Paul McGuinness, has revealed the extreme daily overhead costs on the band’s 360 Tour.

Whether they’re playing a show that night or not, U2 spends no less than $750,000 daily.

“That’s just to have the crew on payroll, to rent the trucks, all that,” McGuinness told Billboard. “There’s about 200 trucks. Each stage is 37 trucks, so you’re up to nearly 120 there. And then the universal production is another 50-odd trucks, and there are merchandise trucks and catering trucks.”

And these expenses don’t count the construction costs of the band’s 150-foot spaceship-like stage, which is called “The Claw.” Read the rest of this entry »

U2’s “360” had its galactic orbit around Toronto on Wednesday and Thursday night and the band let loose on some new songs and some insider secrets.

Wednesday night saw “Your Blue Room” in the setlist, which debuted in Chicago last week. “Until the End of the World” found its way in there, as did one of my personal favorites “Stay (Faraway So Close)”.

“Our first night on the majestic half continent you call a country- Canada”, the band honored the crowd. And as for something out of the blue, Adam is “the only man in U2 who uses face cream”. Whether that is true or not, Adam looks hot onstage and off, so maybe that’s his secret.

Thursday had the band playing to another excited 65,000 people. “Stuck in a Moment” and “Mysterious Ways” were performed. And another debut was made. A little boy got the chance to go on stage with Bono, and even wore his sunglasses. I hope that boy had his family taking pics of that!

U2 also announced that they will be appearing in NYC on October 4 at the famous Carnegie Hall. Livedaily reports that the band will join “An Evening with Gavin Friday and Friends” to benefit the (RED) AIDS charity as well as The Global Fund. Visit Carnegie Hall’s website for tickets.

And, if you happen to be a BIG spender, tickets are still available for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Benefit at NYC’s Madison Square Garden. U2 will be performing on October 30th with Metallica, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton and others. The cheap tickets are all gone, but if you have $2,500 to spend then go for it. I considered going, but decided to invest in the U2 Conference in North Carolina instead. Only two weeks left to go!

For anyone going to the NYC shows next week, the weather is supposed to be isolated thunderstorms on Wednesday and scattered t-storms on Thursday. I really hope that’s a guess and not definite. I hope the crowds in Boston on Sunday and Monday have clear skies, so maybe that good weather will pass on to NYC!

- Jill Marino, Examiner.com