The Hell Called U2 Membership

By: Thuur Hutjens

U2 is going on the road again. Having the collective hate towards the iTunes-distribution-tactics of the band's latest album still fresh in our minds, the Irish rock band is preparing for an autumn 2015 tour.

The presales of the tickets are already well under way, but as an exclusive member of U2's website, you are allowed to pre-pre-order your tickets. The cost for this membership is fifty bucks. But oh well, at least you can rest assured you'll walk away with your favorite concert tickets, right?

The veterans in rock officially announced their tour dates a day before the presales for members kicked off. This means that if you've been off the grid for one day, you'd already have missed the train at the station. Bearing time-pressure in mind, I as well was tempted to subscribe to an online membership, which sent me off to customer queue number two. I, and a legion of fans, who are as loyal as dogs and books, are now granted a unique code to gain priority access to the tickets we desire most.

In contrary to other concert tours of the Irish band, this time you are only allowed to order two tickets through the extravagantly priced membership you just paid for. On top of that: the membership is only valid for a year. So the real diehards pay fifty euros, year after year, to gain the best access to tour tickets, but without any kind of warranty... On the first day of the 'especially for U2.com-members' presale, Ticketmaster was on the fritz. The band offered its apologies towards its members of U2.com, and asked them to remain patient. But with a fifty-buck deficit on my bank account, patience was growing thin. People on online boards are also starting to complain about the way things are working out.

If you pay money, you expect service. Just like Jorstin did when he wrote on the official U2-forum: I came up against a brick wall that I don’t know can be resolved unfortunately…The show I wanted to go to and had tickets reserved more than four times on a nonfunctioning site sold out where I was shooting for after Ticketmaster screwed up my order time and time again.

On Friday morning, the second day of the presale for members, tickets to the first night in Cologne and Amsterdam were 'no longer available' for members. Are they already sold out, or is Ticketmaster having problems again? It's all quite fuzzy and vague.

Despite paying fifty euros, there seems to be no specific customer service that might help solving any specific questions or complaints. The telephone customer service, a phone number of organizer Live Nation, is overloaded, and offers only an explanation about the membership. There's no short-time reply to e-mails. Canceling the membership is not an option anymore at this time. Even the European phone number of ticket agency Eventim can no long process the amount of callers and forces them to call back another time. Responses to e-mails are overdue and contain nothing more but a template text: If your concerns are still outstanding, please reply to this e-mail letting us know your issue has not been resolved and needs further attention.

If this scant amount of consideration would be enough to solve any kind of impediments, our world problems would be past tense with a minimal amount of concern towards them. But it turns out that that's not enough. What's even worse is that the e-mail templates feign to have offered enough concern and/or a solution to any possible questions and complaints while nothing could be further from the truth. In times of huge disappointment and intense crisis, mental coach Benno van Leeuwen can answer specific questions with clear answers: "We are no longer customer friendly. Apparently it's not about well-being in general, to which a gig might contribute, but about the well-being of a few: those who want to make a buck out of everything. If that's the level the bar has been lowered to, just hit me with a few shots. Because that's how U2 fans are feeling right now: I have been shot in the back, U2?!"

"We trust to have informed you sufficiently" and "Your phone call is very important to us" have turned in to lifeless echoes. This comes with the latest trend of the customer service branch to confront customers by repeating the question, just to make sure that the question is understood correctly. This prevents miscommunication and leads to direct problem solving. As a caller, this makes me feel highly valued, but after hanging up the phone I realize that the problem is still existent. Customer service employees don't seem to be able to give answers to actual questions, even though they actually want to solve my problems. They are, just like me, with their backs against the ropes and tied up to bureaucratization and protocols. 

This is also what's going on with U2. For the presale among members there has only been made a limited number of tickets available. The number of members that subscribed to a membership has not been taken in to account. Digital communication is the only type of communication in existence. "Good stuff", you're almost starting to think, because upon calling U2 Live Nation you get referred to Ticketmaster and Eventim, while they in their turn refer to U2 Live Nation. You're being sent from pillar to post. Both the sales and the membership smack of a chic scam. On the U2 boards complaints are shown about members that re-use their personal code, against the rules, to buy more than two tickets. This leads to other members missing out on their tickets. Moderators are threatening to cancel the tickets of the fans who have made abuse of their code. It's nothing but a method for which every legal basis is currently missing, looking at the lousy technical conditions. Misusers are advised to inform the relevant organization to ensure the tickets won’t be canceled.  

After an hour of complete chaos and hard labor I finally have the ticket I wanted to have, but during payment I receive an error message. "It's best you cancel your reservation and start a new order", says a Belgian employee on the phone. I'm reluctant. The tickets I want are sold out on the day I want to go in Amsterdam, Cologne and also in Antwerp. Ridiculous, according to the Belgian operator: the tickets I want are still available in plenty. But I don't want to take the risk. There's a possibility that my code does not work, or so I read on the U2 boards. There's no other solution. I still have got six hours left to complete my payment using a link that doesn't work. It's either that, or I start all over again. After a few hours of not willing to give up on the link, I reluctantly give in and start all over again. Luckily, this time everything works out and the payment is done within mere minutes. But because of the stress of the past few hours my life has been shortened by at least a few days. That much I'm certain of.

A few days later U2 blandly announces extra concerts, including two more shows in New York, Boston, Paris and Amsterdam: If you haven't used your unique code in the earlier presales, you'll be able to use it for the extra two concerts. If you have used your code already, it won't be valid for the extra concerts.

This selling method is a logical result of the earlier chaos, but is a pain in the ass for true U2 fans. Fans were not informed properly and were forced to buy a ticket they might not want in hindsight. The cheapest tickets are sold at 65 euro. The most expensive tickets are set at 280 euros and for lots of fans was the only option in the presale of the first confirmed concerts. The flow of information and communication is fallible and vague. A German employee gave me the best answer to my questions up to date: "I can't help you", she admitted in all honesty.

U2 was already bound to receive harsh criticism from discerning music lovers that no longer sympathize with the band. The feeling towards the band nowadays is that the band is only lining their own pockets, has become too mainstream, is only thinking about signing million-dollar-deals and doesn't care about the world in their direct environment anymore. U2 earlier diverted to the Netherlands for its tax benefits and signed deals with Live Nation and iTunes for 120 and 100 million euros.

This, combined with the terrible information service towards the band's most loyal fans, raises incomprehension and disappointment among the group of music lovers you should be antagonizing least.

Note for the fans: I am no hater, listened to U2s music for years and probably will do so in the future. I even listened to them non-stop while writing this article. It’s just that the selling methods do not match with the experience we have as fans when listening to U2s music or attending their concerts.

Written by: Thuur Hutjens

Translated by: Jan Dijsselbloem

Editors Note:  Over the past few days we have been featuring some new writers for the U2TOURFANS team each writer could write their own story from their personal view, experience or thoughts. We found this story to be very interesting to share with you. However, please note that the views expressed within this story are those of Thuur Hutjen and not necessarily the views of U2TOURFANS or any member of the writing team.

Still Hadn't Found What I Was Looking For

By: Karen Pittman

It was 1980 something and I had the flu and was home from school. I remember sitting on the couch and listening to the drama unfold on daytime soap operas that my mother watched religiously back then.

But, she decided it was time to get up and begin her motherly duties of cleaning and providing food for her family. As she went to the kitchen to begin cooking the evening meal (chicken and dumplings, as requested by me since I was feeling some relief from my flu symptoms) she said that I could, "watch what I wanted on the television." So like any kid from this time, it went straight to MTV (you know, when they played music and music related television shows. No 16 and pregnant would be seen this day).

Once on the channel I was greeted with Kurt Loder doing MTV news. I dont exactly remember what was happening that day in music news, but it was just a stopping point before they got back to playing the music videos that made MTV the thing to watch back then. Once the music began you would think from this story it would have been a U2 video, but no it was Whitney Houstons video for "So Emotional." I loved Whitney back then along with Michael Jackson, New Kids on the Block (who I still love) and Journey (Steve Perry's Journey).

It wasnt until after Whitney got finished that I got my first taste of Bono and the boys, the voice and the melodic sounds of their most famous hit (in my eyes) "With ot Without You." I was blown away by the music, the look of the members and meaningful song that I was hearing. After that I had to wait (a while in most cases) in order to see or hear another song from this band.

Keep in mind back then (before the Earth's crust cooled), there was no Youtube, no iTunes and no internet to research information about the bands and music you heard. You just had television and radio and of course you could go down to the local store and buy the cassette (yep, thats right ladies and gentlemen.......cassette). Kids these days (including my 3 year old) will never know how much time was wasted by sitting and waiting in front of their radio in order to tape their favorite song on cassette. Now there is the internet and phones that give you instant access to any song, or video at anytime day or night.

Now, back to U2. What a rush I felt listening to this band I had never heard of prior to this day. I had to know more. I had to hear more. So, after begging and pleading with my mother the next time we visited the store...it happened. She bought me the Joshua Tree. Of course, I was prepared to listen to it as soon as we got back in the car, but the batteries in my walkman (yep..thats right a walkman, made by Sony) decided to die. What luck. So I had to wait until we arrived home before I got to listen to my brand new cassette. Of course, back then, my older brother and I shared an extra room in the basement where we could listen to music.
Complete with a "We Are the World" (original 1985 version, not the Haiti version) poster on the wall.

Once in my little section of the basement I switched the batteries and began the journey of The Joshua Tree and all its splender. I was mesmorized. I couldnt stop listening, and I didnt want to. From Streets, to In Gods Country I was hooked. I still had to know more so I went back time and time again to MTV to get a glimpse of them. Finally seeing the video for "Where the Streets have no Name" and "I Still havent found What I'm looking for." Then, I ended up seeing older videos like "New Years Day" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Thus began my mission to buy those albums on cassette as well. Since I was my moms favorite (and have remained her favorite even today) she would always buy them when she had the chance. Before I knew it, I had Boy, War, October and The Joshua Tree.

Then it was time for U2 to go away and, "Dream it all up again." After which time most of the cassette formats were switching the Cd's. Which meant I had to not only rebuy all my favorite albums on Cd, but I also had to buy a Cd player (thanks Santa ;-D).

My journey with U2 continues when Achtung Baby is released.........

U2 Every Breaking Wave Offical Video

The biggest classic-U2 ballad on Songs of Innocence. "Wave" was originally slated for Songs of Ascent (the abandoned follow-up to No Line on the Horizon); the band played a radically different, stripped-down version a few times in 2010. They've since fleshed it out dramatically, completely re-written the chorus and tinkered with some of the verses. Songs of Innocence isn't a full-on concept record about the band's youth – the lyrics to "Wave" appear to deal more adult concerns: a long-term relationship, distractions, and the struggles that come from both: "Are we ready to be swept off our feet?/And stop chasing/Every breaking wave"

Billboard ranked this song #3 on their top 50 for 2014 saying  the emotional centerpiece of Songs of Innocence is a stark, shimmering ballad that recalls "With or Without You" in its searching power. "Are we so helpless against the tide?" Bono asks, staring down time's passage. The music answers back with gently heroic uplift, giving him the salvation he seeks.

The Megalomania of Bono

The level of hate for Bono and this band is at an all-time high. What gives? For years I’ve been fraternizing with other fans on fan forums and websites and became confident that my beloved U2 was the biggest and most relevant band on the planet.

The reality is, I kept myself in the dark about "the other side". Social networking entered my life and it was a rude awakening for me in many ways. When Bono suffered injuries in a recent bike accident, I was shocked and appalled at the response from Haters wishing he wasn't MORE seriously hurt. Really, people? No wonder the world is in the state that it's in.

This triggered a mission to find out what makes Bono an "arrogant S.O.B." As to what he is often referred. Is it the sunglasses? The work he does with the ONE organization? The reports of tax evasion? The humanitarianism? The fame and fortune? I asked a few of my close friends: "Maybe it's the arrogance?" WHAAAA??? I’ve heard crazy nasty things about Mick Jagger, and he's pretty arrogant, yet I don’t see the level of hate for him or his band. Nor would I complain about receiving a free album from the Rolling Stones. IT'S FREE MUSIC, PEOPLE!!

You can say I’m a believer in synchronicity; that there are no coincidences. I believe that we are born here and we know our purpose. The problem is, many of us forget what that purpose might be. Lucky for some, they feel the fire and know very early on what path is theirs to follow. I'm getting to my point.

Many fans know the story about Bono’s mother, Iris, visiting a fortune teller early in his parents' marriage and being told that she would have two boys, one of whom would have a name beginning with “P”, who would become famous. Everyone forgot about that until years later, when the band began realizing success.  While doing this research on this bit of information, I ran across a full review of Bono’s astrological chart and since before he was born, this was a path meant for him. It's full of music, charisma, language, arts, and communication. It was his destiny. 

Who we are as individuals evolves from how we grow up. Sometimes we aren't even aware of it. Paul grew up surrounded in controversy; a Catholic father and Protestant mother. His mom would bring the boys to church on Sunday while his dad stayed behind. There was spiritual crisis and behind it all, there was tragedy. Paul lost his mother at a very early age and grew up without a mother, running the streets at an early age with little discipline. Losing your mom at an early age can have devastating effects and Paul's rogue behavior reflected that.

Back in the early days before U2 came on the scene in Ireland, people were looking for their big ticket out of Dublin, out of Ireland. U2 were no different. With that came a sense of urgency. Dreaming of a life outside Dublin, Bono was desperate to communicate with his audience and make an impact. Maeve O’Regan (a friend of the band from Mount Temple) remembers in "North Side Story: U2 in Dublin, 1978-1983" about Bono’s charisma and how Bono "was always posing for the cameras...lighting up the room when he walked into it". This is who Bono was; he found his calling.

The fact is, if you want to be the frontman in a rock band and you want to make it big, you have to have some level of esteem to do so. Bono has admitted to self-esteem issues (i.e. his height for one) which is why he's been known to wear platform shoes. Perhaps he’s overcompensated over the years, and that has turned people off, but when you’re in a band, isn’t that what you’re supposed to do? Self-promote? If this is megalomania, then so be it.

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, he mentioned that "it's a strange thing to need 20,000 people screaming your name to feel normal". To have throngs of people paying attention to you and loving you, you get to count on that. For someone with low self-esteem, it can feel pretty great!  He's often said he doesn't deserve the life he has and he is forever grateful for it. I've seen 26 shows and EVERY SINGLE TIME he's thanked the fans for giving the band a great life. Bono knows and admits his megalomania. Without it, there is no U2.

The way we are in many ways evolves from how we grow up. Some of us change it, some of us don't. Perhaps the Haters hate because of a tragic or painful past - and for that, we should have compassion.

New Year's Day

"All is quiet on New Year's Day
A world in white gets underway
I want to be with you, be with you night and day
Nothing changes on New Year's Day
On New Year's Day" 

Top 15 U2 Songs of Love, Faith, Sex, War and Family

Top 15 U2 Songs

By Robert E Hunt Jr

Perhaps more than any other rock band, these four Irish lads get deep inside your head and even deeper into your heart. They've reinvented their sound several times over yet they still manage to write and perform great songs dealing with a wide range of subjects ... Love, religion, politics, sex, war, family, friendship, personal tragedy as well as the simple pure joy of playing music itself.

 U2 is both technically precise and deeply personal and human at the same time. Larry Mullen Jr and Adam Clayton anchor a driving thunderous rhythm section while The Edge stands out as an amazingly unique and dazzling guitar player. And then there's Bono. Arguably the best frontman in rock and roll, he also manages to support if not drive several world-wide political causes while at the same time living the life of the pampered rock star. Perhaps no other celebrity alive has managed to mix the trappings of fame and glory with the dedication to helping others as well as Bono.

 While other U2 fans may disagree, here are this fan's top 15 favorite U2 songs .

 15. Mothers of the Disappeared

This five-minute gem closes out "The Joshua Tree", U2's biggest and best selling album. It's a brooding, haunting, spooky song that starts with just a faint percussion line and some sporadic guitar feedback. Then it settles into a slow, rhythmic almost dirge-like beauty.

Bono and Edge combine for an achingly gorgeous falsetto chorus while the song gently moves along. The title refers to the Asociación Madres de Plaza de Mayo, a group of Argentine mothers who lost their children, "The Disappeared", during Argentina's Dirty War from 1976 to 1983. As such, this is one of U2's most politically driven songs and it clearly demonstrates the band's interest and commitment to human rights. In a legendary 1989 performance in Buenos Aires, many of the Mothers came out on stage and stood as one holding up posters of their children as the band played this song. Very few rock bands can do that.

 14. Mysterious Ways

 This song is dedicated to that most beautiful of all creatures ... Women. It's a very loud but sensuous song with another of Edge's superb opening guitar riffs. This song is off their successful 1991 album, "Achtung Baby". Baby was a distinct departure from the band's earlier sound as this disc was their first venture into a new techno-dance sound that they would continue exploring throughout the 90's. During their 90's live shows, a belly dancer would join the band on stage during this song. In a case of life imitating art, Edge even married one of the belly dancers, Morleigh Steinberg. Clearly, she moved in Mysterious Ways.

 13. City of Blinding Lights

 "Lights" is from the band's 2004 album, "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb", and it opened up most nights of the 2005-06 Vertigo Tour. It has a shimmering "wall of sound" feel to it but it's also a kickass rocker with another of the band's trademark sing-a-long choruses. The song is about New York City in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. U2 has had a long and fascinating love affair with America and felt the loss much the same way Americans did. As the story goes, they were flying in to New York at night some time after the attacks and could see the city lit up from above like it always has been. "Oh, you look so beautiful tonight" was the result.

 12. New Year's Day

 From 1983's "War", this was U2's first big hit single. Originally a love song, it was reformed as a tribute to Lech Walesa's Polish Solidarity movement. It's about starting over fresh and new and it features Edge on both organ and guitar. He plays both instruments during live shows as well. Adam's bass line is also one of his best and carries much more of the song's texture than he typically does. And Larry's drums are up front and razor sharp too. Instantly recognizable, "Day" is a concert staple and still one of their most popular and well-known songs.

 11. The Fly

 One of the great "character" songs in the band's catalog, "The Fly" also features one of Edge's most distinctive and agressive "techno" riffs. This "Achtung Baby" song is the definitive break between the band's original sound and their new 90's "industrial" direction. "Fly" still has all the required U2 elements but they're played and mixed in a new way that instantly illustrates two conflicting themes ... Yes, this is U2 and no, we've never heard them like this before. From this point forward, "The Joshua Tree" was history. On stage, Bono assumes the character of "The Fly", a preening, strutting, leather-clad rock star in black wraparound sunglasses. When that phone call from Hell comes, it might as well be "The Fly" answering it. This song is 90's U2. It was their past, present and future.

 10. Running To Stand Still

 A truly lovely song about a sad subject, drug addiction, and heroin in particular. It's an achingly beautiful song filled with pathos and sympathy. Another one from "The Joshua Tree", "Still" has some of the band's most painful and poignant lyrics and some of their best slow song melodies. When played live, the crowd usually gets quiet and then softly sings along with Bono ... "Singing ha, ah la la la de day, Ah la la la de day, Ah la la de day". This is one of the band's songs that really gets down deep inside you. Very few fans can hear this one and not feel the pain and empty sadness. "She will suffer the needle chill, She's running to stand ........ still."

 9. Elevation

 This is a loud, raucous, joyous, all-out, infectious number dedicated to either heaven above or just plain old joy and exhiliration down below. During the band's 2001 tour, they took the unusual step of opening each show by casually walking onto the stage with the house lights still on and then ripping into this song driving the crowd into a pogo stick frenzy. With Edge's raging feedback guitar and Bono's kickboxer poses, "Elevation" was the perfect opener for that tour. The band also played this song during a Saturday Night Live gig that year and drove that crowd and the show host, Val Kilmer, wild too. A mole, living in a hole, digging up my soul.

 8. Pride (In The Name Of Love)

 This is one of the U2's best known songs and it's also one of their best. As most fans know, it's about the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Edge plays a fiery guitar on "Pride" while Adam and Larry provide their customary solid backbeat. But this one is Bono's all the way. Yes, there is a mistake in the lyrics. Dr. King was assassinated in the early evening of April 4, not the early morning. But it doesn't matter. This is a song that crosses over racial boundaries as well as the Atlantic Ocean to recognize a true human hero. And Bono makes sure we know that. The band is rarely more urgent or more intense when they kick into this one.

 7. "40"

 A short and simple song but very powerful, "40" is often played to close down a live show. It's off the band's 1983 album, "War" and the title and lyrics are a reference to Psalm 40 in the Bible. Typically, they play it while the band leaves the stage one at a time. Bono usually exits first leaving the crowd singing the chorus line of "How long to sing this song" over and over. Edge leaves next while Adam and Larry remain. After Adam takes his bow and leaves, Larry and his drums are all that's left. But the crowd is still singing. Then Larry leaves. And we all stay and sing. Over and over. How long to sing this song. How long, how long. Then the lights slowly come on.

 6. When I Look At The World

 This is an obscure little-known track from U2's 2000 disc, "All That You Can't Leave Behind". It was not released as a single and to date, the band has not played it live in concert. But they should. "World" starts with a simple Edge guitar riff, hesitates for a brief pause and then explodes into a beautiful melody with soaring guitar notes and the usual airtight rhythm. Edge is all over this one moving up and down the scales while Bono sings another gorgeous set of lyrics about faith and spirituality. This song is a reminder of just how good U2 is because any other band would have rushed this one out as a single, shot an expensive video and then featured it at every live gig for the rest of their lives.

 5. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

 The boys do gospel. Oh yes, they do. "Found" is perhaps their most beautiful song. The melody is unforgettable and the chorus is so easy and so much fun to sing along with that most fans never mind when this one gets stuck in their heads. "Found" is about faith, religion, redemption, salvation, all mixed into one peaceful simple tune. It's the second of the "Big Three" songs off their mega-hit 1987 album "The Joshua Tree". This is the album that exploded U2 onto the world scene and cemented their legend for all time. And this song, among others on this incredible record, helped seal that deal. For an extra treat, watch and listen to "Found" in the band's 1989 movie, "Rattle and Hum". The boys team up with a Harlem church choir to show everyone what gospel can be. Heaven.

 4. Sunday Bloody Sunday

 "Sunday" is one of U2's first and most famous overtly political songs. It's about the bloody struggle in Northern Ireland and sends a plaintive almost desperate call for peace in that tortured land. Larry's drums provide a tight almost militaristic cadence while Edge uses a simple but powerful guitar riff throughout. This is another song that the band never plays casually. "Sunday" is an intense song meant to force you to wonder just how long this madness, The Troubles, has to go on. U2 opened their Live Aid set with "Sunday" as it was their most well-known song at the time. And they didn't disappoint.

 3. Where The Streets Have No Name

 The signature song from "The Joshua Tree", "Streets" has one of the band's most mesmerizing openings. It starts with a long church organ solo followed by another classic Edge riff. Then Adam joins in with a pounding bass line followed shortly by Larry's hypnotic drums. Finally, at the 1:45 mark, with the buildup at maxiumum intensity, Bono drops in with the opening line "I wanna run, I want to hide." The video for "Streets" is legendary as well. The boys made an unannounced visit to a rooftop in Los Angeles and started playing. A large crowd quickly gathered and soon the LAPD came and shut it down for fear of traffic and crowd control problems. U2 also played "Streets" during halftime of the 2002 Super Bowl just a few months after 9/11. As they played, the names of each victim scrolled behind the band on an enormous screen. At the end of the song, with millions watching on TV, Bono simply opened his jacket to reveal an American flag inside. Nothing else needed to be said.

 2. One

 This is the song that "saved" U2. As the story goes, the band was on the verge of breaking up while recording "Achtung Baby" in 1991. Edge and Bono wanted to explore the new techno-dance sound while Adam and Larry didn't. Finally, Edge came up with the arrangements for "One" and it changed everyone's outlook and approach to going forward with renewed optimism. The lyrics to "One" are ambiguous. Some interpret it as a love song although not a pain-free one. Others see it as a song about individuality as in "We're one but we're not the same." Regardless, the song is simply stunning and shows the band at its very finest. It's an encore number at all shows and has been covered by several other artists including Mary J Blige and Johnny Cash. "One" is the band's highest ranked song showing up on numerous "best ever" lists. It is the "One".

 1. Bad

 The best of the best. This sad but intense song about drug addiction is a huge crowd favorite. It opens with Edge repeating just two simple but unmistakable chiming notes over and over until the rest of the band kicks in and drives it harder and harder. U2 played this song at Live Aid and all but stole the entire show with it. When Bono went down off the Wembley Stadium stage and into the rapturous crowd, the band kept playing past the time they had planned to end the song and so U2 missed out on playing "Pride", the final song of their set. Legend has it Bono brooded over his "mistake" for weeks after the show until finally being convinced that "Bad" was just that good. If you listen to no other U2 song, this is the one. You'll be wide awake. You won't be sleeping.

New Year Brings New Music and More

The year is coming to a close and this surely was an interesting year.  We have had our share of rumor stories, release dates, tour dates and push back dates and yet it all seemed to work out in the end. 

The album release was interesting, who would have thought about releasing an album for free worldwide on iTunes would have caused such a stir among music fans.

Next we had a scheduled appearance on "The Tonight Show" canceled because Bono was tooling around Central Park and no one seemed to notice. The Edge said it was  because he was disguised as a Hasidic Jew.

Which later was proven untrue.  This week filming the next video, it seemed a bit to noisy for the locals and yet production remained on schedule.   Now we heard that Songs of Experience  will be released early next year. No idea how they plan to release it.

We at U2TOURFANS have been busy too. We have redesigned our website to be more of an interactive place for fans to be able to engage in community interaction with other fans. We launched our forum community both versions now available. The community is rather small right now however we do expect it to grow.  We also made a call out for our tour street team to support the shows coming up. You still have time to sign up and be apart of the fun.   Our tour pages have been built and ready to publish tour news by location. 

We do have to announce that we have reached a major mile stone. We have had over 10 Million interactive U2 fans engaged during the year. This was outstanding ! Finally we have been working on something pretty big for next year.  We believe this will put all our properties together in a single easy to use environment.  We have made some new partners over the years and we believe that we are ready to launch the next phase of U2TOURFANS.  We hope you come along for the ride.  

Cheers Mates,  May the season be a blessing to you and your family and may you find joy and peace within each tune you play.

U2 Open Ticket Sales Today

Yes today 10:00 AM EST  Ticketmaster opens U2 tickets for all available shows. New York, Chicago, Boston, Montreal, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Berlin, Paris.

Tickets for the iNNOCENCE & eXPERIENCE Tour additional dates, confirmed last week, go on sale today  You will not need a pre-sale code. Tickets that should be available are the ones from the updated list that U2 announced last week.