Billboards Tour of the Year ! U2

Bono / U2 / U2TOURFANS/ Nick Walker U2 started out with an idea of getting closer to its fans and ended up with the largest grossing tour with a whopping $736,421,586.  The 360 tour has broken stadium records and changed the way people attend concerts.  The tour ended in July, which at that time became the highest grossing and biggest ticket seller in the history of the tour business.  

Quoted from Billboard:

Months after 360° wrapped in Moncton, New Brunswick, the tour’s significance was finally sinking in for Live Nation Global Touring chairman Arthur Fogel, global producer of the epic trek.

“As time moves on and we get further away from it, it actually seems more impressive than when you’re actually in the middle of it,” says Fogel, not a man given to overstatement. “It just leaves a tremendous sense of accomplishment, and is without a doubt one of the greatest experiences in the business that I’ve ever had.”

While it was under way, 360° was a beast to execute, from its initial yearlong setup, to the postponement of the second North American leg due to Bono’s back surgery, to the daily grind of pulling off the most ambitious tour ever mounted.

“It was a lot of pressure, even during the down times, because it was so big and so complicated,” Fogel says. “The postponement issue was a lot to deal with, so when it ended and time goes by, it seems that much more impressive and an accomplishment to be incredibly proud of.”

While 360° is in a class all its own in terms of scale and box office, the principals that made it a success-scaling, routing, showmanship and songs-are relevant across the entire live business. The fact that such numbers could even be achieved, let alone in a down global economy, is a testament to the power of live music

Fogel dismisses the notion that 360° somehow is isolated from the realities of the rest of the touring industry. “I don’t subscribe to the theory at all that somehow this tour is its own animal,” he says. “This is what drives our business, this is what gets people excited about going to shows, this is what proves that we are the real deal as an industry. When you can capture the attention and imagination and enjoyment of 7 million people, that’s what this business is all about.”

We can look back on this tour with the thousands of hours of concert video, concert photos and stories. The idea that a simple stage can bring people together to experience music like never before is only the start of somthing greater.

U2, world's No.1 rock band, collaborates with Talenthouse

Mumbai:Talenthouse India, the online crowd-sourcing platform which has successfully conducted talent hunts for various celebrities and brands like Rocky S, Rajeev Surti, Zod!, , Pepsi &Micromax showcased an invite to redesign the collage for U2’s legendary album ‘Achtung Baby’.

Achtung Baby‘s original cover art embodied the zeitgeist of the early 90s and the spirit of the album. The critically adored album propelled Irish rock band U2 to the level of fame they have enjoyed ever since, earning them a place among music legends. To honor the 20th anniversary of Achtung Baby‘s release, U2 wants you send in your best interpretation of today’s global environment on Talenthouse. This can be in the form of a photograph or artwork. Mr. ArunMehra (CEO – Talenthouse India) said, “Talenthouseis the world’s largest collaborative platform undertaking crowdsourcing Creative Invite’s for globally renowned industry names like Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, etc. We, at Talenthouse India are looking to provide creative artists opportunities to work not only in Bollywood, but also giving them a platform to showcase their creativity internationally in Hollywood”

This Invite will feature 15 winners whose submissions will be compiled into a collage acting as a modern makeover for the beloved 1991 album’s cover work. The winning submissions will be selected by U2’s official designer and photographer, Shaughn McGrath and Anton Corbijn.

One uber-lucky winner will be selected to receive a custom designed, original Achtung Baby styled Trabant car. Additionally, one highest voted artist will have their submission promoted across U2’s social media channels and U2.com. They will also receive a copy of the final collage, a deluxe box-set, and an SLR digital camera.

Follow this link for more details -

John Lennon vs. Bono

John Lennon’s tragic death in New York City, has brought on a wave of Beatles nostalgia. For so many of our generation, growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, Lennon was a hero, not just for his music but for his fearless activism against the Vietnam War.

Is there a celebrity activist today who matches Lennon’s impact and appeal? The closest counterpart to Lennon now is U2’s Bono, another transcendent musical talent championing another cause: the battle against global poverty. But there is a fundamental difference between Lennon’s activism and Bono’s, and it underscores the sad evolution of celebrity activism in recent years.

“I don’t believe in wishful thinking. You know, ‘Imagine,’ that John Lennon song, it’s my least favorite of his songs. And he’s the man for me, but it’s like I don’t believe that imagining is enough.”- Bono 2002

Is Bono our John Lennon ? 

Whats going on ! World Aids Day

NEW YORK — Bono is afraid of Alicia Keys.

While Keys talked about being pregnant and empathic when filming her documentary about AIDS in Africa, the U2 singer chimed in and said: “She’s scary, isn’t she? She’s scary.”

Bono went on to say that Keys has “lioness energy” and that her role as a new mother won’t allow her to “let other mothers suffer.”

He made the comments at the premiere of “Keep a Child Alive with Alicia Keys,” a documentary which followed a visit to South Africa during last year’s World Cup with a pregnant Keys and five Americans. It airs on Showtime on Dec. 1, which is World AIDS Day.

Artists Wanted for Collaboration !

The opening years of the 1990s were a period when U2 astonished the critics by dramatically re-imagining their music with the release of Achtung Baby.

Twenty years on the band has revisited the era, digging deep into the archives to mine a trove of unreleased songs, rare collaborations, lost remixes and cult B-sides.

As well as never-before heard tracks from the Berlin and Dublin sessions, the new material debuts live performance pieces and commercially unreleased videos, as well as club hits from the dance-floor and special guest appearances. 

Achtung Baby embodies a multitude of ideas and styles which are represented through the album cover artwork mosaic. The squared collage of photos symbolise the spirit of the album, the 90s and the changes in Europe after the fall of the Berlin wall. To celebrate the 20th Anniversary, U2’s team, including designer Shaughn McGrath and original photographer, Anton Corbijn, are inviting artists to submit their photograph or artwork which reflects today’s global environment.

The photographs and artwork should emulate the same meaning that is conveyed on the original album cover. If Achtung Baby was released today, what photographs and/or artwork would be part of the collage?

For more information, click:
 http://www.talenthouse.com/u2-collaborate-on-an-achtung-baby-inspired-collage

Hiatus ? Could it be True ?

U2 / Bono / U2TOURFANS

Everyone was a buzz, could it be possible that the biggest band in the

world is going on hiatus or could it be that the band has chosen to break apart and “Walk On” The idea that something this great may need to be destroyed in order to grow has been heard all to many times with great bands. Yet, the great bands remain focused on turning out great music.

R.E.M has set the dinner table to finish strong.  For R.E.M ending on top requires strong CD sales, however it has failed to provide the last winner for R.E.M.

The boys have completed the largest tour ever and with some extra months, days, hours added in to recover from a delay with Bono’s injury its easy to hear the rumors that the boys may be at the finish line. Rumors fly like the lyrics of a song. Yet no official word has come from management, label or the boys leaving the fans to wonder aimlessly into the past. It is true that every good band must be a

ble to reinvent their music to the issues and public cry of the day.  If the rumors are true, this was the best summer of music ever.

To say that it is over is far from the truth. Their manager already has told people that would listen to him. Bono has work to be finished and the creative juices have been on over drive for sometime. A bad rumor needs to end with us not supporting the noise any longer.

Remembering Hutch

Remembering Michael Hutchence

Hutch and Bono Bono: “We were flying between shows and someone called and told me about Michael’s death. I still haven’t figured out quite how I feel about it. I don’t know whether I’m angry or guilty… You always think if it’s a mate that there was something you could have done. I still find it hard to figure it all out, because I had a conversation with him not that long ago where we talked about something like this, and we both agreed how dumb and selfish it would be, and Hutch was not at all selfish.” Bono said that he and Hutchence were neighbors in France and that their personality differences helped to fuel their friendship. “He was a nice guy to be around. He was very light, whereas I don’t think I’m the easiest person to be around, so we balanced each other out. But I hadn’t seen him for a while, because we were both off doing our thing. I’m finding the whole thing very hard to understand…”

For many adoring INXS fans it is the tragic day that Michael Hutchence lost his life. Bono and U2 where preparing to perform in San Antonio, Texas, that day when word came through about Michael’s death. Gutted by the news, Bono struggled through the concert making several references to his dear friend. “Hutch, where are you?” he cried. Over the past seven years Bono has frequently mentioned Michael at U2 concerts. He has dedicated many songs to Michael and has regularly finished the evening with a track of Michael and INXS playing over the PA system. Bono even completed the recording of the song, “Slide Away” on Michael’s solo album, as well as dedicating the Grammy award winning “Stuck in a Moment” to his friend’s memory.

When U2 played in Sydney in 1998, they invited the other original INXS members along to their show, as well as close family and friends of Michael’s.  It was pouring rain and lightning, just the same as after Michael’s funeral, and other important dates to do with Michael there always seems to be a lightning storm!  Before playing ‘One’ Bono turned to the big picture of Michael on the screen and said:

“I Just wanted to say goodbye
To a great singer
And a great friend
I just wanted to say goodbye
I just wanted to say goodbye
In front of his mates
In front of his family
In front of his band
I just wanted to say goodbye
So goodbye Michael”

U2 also often dedicated the song ‘Gone’ to Michael live as well.  Here is an example during their 2001 tour in Boston where Bono yells out ‘Hutch’ at the start of the song.  Brilliant guitar playing by The Edge in this song!

On the 10th anniversary of MH’s death in 2007, Bono and The Edge performed ‘Desire’ at Union Chapel in London.  During the song Bono mentioned it was a special date and started playing ‘Need You Tonight’ as a tribute to Michael.

Achtung Baby Packs a Punch

To call 1991 a busy year would be a gross understatement. While the nation was still transitioning from the not-so-subtle 1980s, news of great significance was being made every day around the globe.

For instance, the Persian Gulf War came to an exhaustive end, South African Parliament abolished Apartheid laws and Russia elected its first president, Boris Yeltsin. And if that weren’t enough, out of the entire decade 1991 was quite possibly the best year for music, as well. It saw the release of monumental records such as Metallica’s self-named Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Pearl Jam’s Ten and of course, Nirvana’s revolutionary release Nevermind. Oh, I almost forgot, there was one other particularly good release that year. What was it again?…It was something foreign sounding…German maybe…oh yeah! It was U2’s Achtung Baby!

U2 may have just chosen the worst possible year to release a stellar album. With a nation already transfixed by the otherworldly funkiness of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the entirely new grunge assault of Nirvana, there was no more room for greatness. The grunge movement had drained all musical curiosity from music fans dry to the last drop. So when Achtung Baby was released in November of that year, U2 found themselves bewildered by weak sales and little hype for an album they thought be to nothing short of spectacular. They were right.

Frustrated by harsh criticism for Achtung Baby’s predecessor Rattle and Hum, the band was not in a good state: sales were low and moral was even worse. Determined to get themselves out of this depressing slump, they took a drastic detour out of their comfort zone.

Seeking musical inspiration that would electrify their souls and reignite the musical creativity inside of them, they set out for Berlin, Germany, a nation thriving on a new found and long overdue personal and political freedom. The trip was successful, and U2 created an album surging with electricity. European influences of industrial, electronic and techno flood the entire album. Distorted guitar riffs and dynamic percussion assault your ears while Bono’s voice takes on a raw and intimate aspect never before heard. U2 was suddenly transformed from earnest rockers to post-modern art-pop stars. Achtung Baby redefined the band and as Rolling Stone put it, “quite simply put them back in the running for the greatest rock band in the world.”

Even though a lengthy 20 years has gone by since its initial release, Achtung Baby hasn’t aged a bit. It still surges with that energy and authority it found in Berlin.

Luckily, U2 decided to reissue this album. Working alongside Universal Records, the album will be released in five very different packages, ranging from a reissue of the original album with no bonus material to the Uber Deluxe Edition, which features (take a deep breath) six CDs, five Vinyls, four DVDs, 16 art prints, an 84 page hardcover booklet, a magazine, four badges, a sticker sheet and a pair of sunglasses worn by Bono. College students beware: to have this mammoth set, be prepared to fork over a hefty $500. I’d leave that one to the wealthy and die-hard fans.

Back in 1991, U2 was robbed of the praise and acclaim they deserved for their innovative masterpiece. Its release was greatly overshadowed by new and more popular acts that brought a different and original sound to the musical landscape.

Luckily, with the 20th anniversary reissue set to hit shelves, fans and new listeners alike can listen to Achtung Baby in a new light, a light all its own and will finally discover the innovation that fans 20 years ago failed to recogniz