Willie Williams wins award
U2’s latest tour has been voted the year’s best stage show by crews who work on major gigs around the world.
The 360 Degree tour, which used a groundbreaking “claw” stage, was named live production of the year at the Total Production International Awards.
The ceremony, hosted by TPI magazine, rewards roadies, riggers, truckers and other behind-the-scenes workers.
TPI magazine editor-in-chief Mark Cunningham said the Irish band’s tour had “made the biggest noise” of the last 12 months in more ways than one.
“It is a massive engineering feat - from scenery to video to audio, with the biggest PA system that has ever been seen on a tour,” he said.
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You just know they’d rather be wearing jeans and bomber jackets
Bassist Jah Wobble on the nominees at the black tie event
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“It’s a fantastic achievement and the four members of U2 are effectively the icing on the cake.”
The TPI Awards were first held in 2002 and the winners are voted for by readers of the magazine.
This year’s ceremony was hosted by BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Chris Evans and attracted artists including the Pet Shop Boys, Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson and former Public Image Limited bassist Jah Wobble.
Speaking about the nominees at the black tie event, Wobble said: “It’s very interesting seeing all these people with mohican haircuts and beards done up looking very uncomfortable wearing black suits and bow ties and all that.
“You just know they’d rather be wearing jeans and bomber jackets.”
