Wonder if the math works based on the initial legs etc???

U2 resumes tour after Bono's surgery

By IAN SIMPSON, Reuters

U2 singer Bono is ready to rock after back surgery sidelined him for two months, and forced the band to postpone its North American tour by a year to May 2011. (REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini)

TURIN, Italy - U2 frontman Bono burst back onto rock’s centre stage on Friday after a two-month absence for a back injury, as the Irish band resumed what its manager predicts will be the most lucrative concert tour in history.

U2 shook a packed Olympic stadium in the northern Italian city of Turin as Bono strutted, pranced, jogged and danced with little sign of being a 50-year-old rock star just 10 weeks off spinal surgery.

“I don’t really know how to hold back, is the problem. You have to let the songs sing you at a certain point,” Bono told Reuters just before relaunching the second leg of U2’s 360 Degree Tour, so called because fans surround a giant circular platform.

U2 and Bono, who said he had done rehabilitation work for three to four hours a day, kicked off a rousing set with “Beautiful Day” and “Magnificent.” They also played two new tracks called “North Star Acoustic” and “Glastonbury.”

Bono thanked the cheering crowd for letters and emails he had received wishing him a speedy recovery.

“This band is like a family. It’s a family business, U2. I am the prodigal son. I would like to thank my brothers for their patience,” the leather-clad Bono told the crowd, referring to his bandmates.  

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POSTPONEMENT, MAJOR LOSSES

The singer underwent emergency back surgery in May after injuring himself. His subsequent rehabilitation forced the band to delay the North American leg of the tour until 2011.

U2 began the tour in Barcelona in June 2009.

The band’s manager Paul McGuinness said Bono had trained hard to get back to performing and the band had done some recording during his recovery.

“That’s a process that goes on all the time,” McGuinness told Reuters. “The doctors are very confident. They certified him fit to perform. It’s really a very short time for a spinal injury.”

U2’s tour is widely expected to be a strong point in a weak concert season hit by low sales.

“This tour by the end of this year will be the biggest grossing music tour by anyone of all time,” McGuinness predicted. “And we will still have another 30 shows next year, 20-30 shows next year.”

He added that the group would probably gross somewhere between $650-700 million by the time the tour ended in 2011.

That would top the record $558 million generated by the Rolling Stones’ 2005-2007 Bigger Bang tour, according to music industry publication Billboard Boxscore.

McGuinness said that rescheduling the North American tour had brought “enormous” complications.

“It was extraordinarily difficult to reschedule these events, because it’s an outdoor show. But very few numbers of people have asked for refunds, and most of the shows were sold out.”

He said the band had lost around $15 million as a result of the disruptions, half of which was covered by insurance.

I can hear the screaming and swearing from Boca all the way in Buffalo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LadyJane wrote on Aug 7^th, 2010 at 11:29am:

I can hear the screaming and swearing from Boca all the way in Buffalo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

;D ;D ;D

You beat me to it.

More fucking overpriced enormodome shows it is in 2011-2012 for the Stones, then.....  :(

Gazza wrote on Aug 7^th, 2010 at 12:37pm:

More fucking overpriced enormodome shows it is in 2011-2012 for the Stones, then.....  :(

Perhaps, but don't you think there will be some arena shows as well?

They've mixed in smaller venues on previous stadium jaunts.

Can't imagine them skipping MSG if they do tour again...

Edith Grove wrote on Aug 7^th, 2010 at 3:18pm:

Gazza wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 12:37pm: More fucking overpriced enormodome shows it is in 2011-2012 for the Stones, then.....  :( Perhaps, but don't you think there will be some arena shows as well?

Once they find out they can't sell out stadiums their will be. :warhorse

On the last U.S. tour, I wanted to pick the smallest indoor venue in a city I've never been to before, and that turned out to be Boise.

It turned out to be a good choice, and I'll probably do something like that again next time.

Edith Grove wrote on Aug 7^th, 2010 at 3:18pm:

Gazza wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 12:37pm: More fucking overpriced enormodome shows it is in 2011-2012 for the Stones, then.....  :( Perhaps, but don't you think there will be some arena shows as well?

Maybe, but in general I think it'll be a shorter tour, focussing mainly on stadiums in 'A' markets.

Gazza wrote on Aug 7^th, 2010 at 4:23pm:

Edith Grove wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 3:18pm: Gazza wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 12:37pm: More fucking overpriced enormodome shows it is in 2011-2012 for the Stones, then.....  :( Perhaps, but don't you think there will be some arena shows as well? Maybe, but in general I think it'll be a shorter tour, focussing mainly on stadiums in 'A' markets.

Boston, NYC, Chicago, SF, LA, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta.... kinda like that...?

Pdog wrote on Aug 7^th, 2010 at 5:45pm:

Gazza wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 4:23pm: Edith Grove wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 3:18pm: Gazza wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 12:37pm: More fucking overpriced enormodome shows it is in 2011-2012 for the Stones, then.....  :( Perhaps, but don't you think there will be some arena shows as well? Maybe, but in general I think it'll be a shorter tour, focussing mainly on stadiums in 'A' markets. Boston, NYC, Chicago, SF, LA, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta.... kinda like that...?

AND DC!!!
With Raleigh ( my new digs) as the ugly step child!!!

Joey wrote on Aug 7^th, 2010 at 6:39pm:

“This tour by the end of this year will be the biggest grossing music tour by anyone of all time,” McGuinness predicted. “And we will still have another 30 shows next year, 20-30 shows next year.” He added that the group would probably gross somewhere between $650-700 million by the time the tour ended in 2011.  " <  ------ Necessary to Win Gross !!!!!!!

and who are the losers???

U2?!? I think not...

Pdog wrote on Aug 7^th, 2010 at 5:45pm:

Gazza wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 4:23pm: Edith Grove wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 3:18pm: Gazza wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 12:37pm: More fucking overpriced enormodome shows it is in 2011-2012 for the Stones, then.....  :( Perhaps, but don't you think there will be some arena shows as well? Maybe, but in general I think it'll be a shorter tour, focussing mainly on stadiums in 'A' markets. Boston, NYC, Chicago, SF, LA, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta.... kinda like that...?

Yeah. Thats my personal opinion.

The last tour was what, about 147 shows? I cant see them undertaking one as long as that ever again. And they played so many out of the way places they'd never visited before or hadnt gone to in decades that it was as if it was a 'farewell' to many of those cities or a way of putting a pin on as many 'places we've visited' as possible. There's only so much mileage you're going to get playing large scale shows in places like Missoula, Bucharest, Boise and Budva.

Originally they had planned to play more arena shows last time than they actually did. The problem was that the Stones' guarantees are so ridiculous, very few local promoters are going to take a gamble on staging a Stones gig in an arena as their own profits arent that high. So, they end up playing stadiums in these cities instead, where instead of playing a 18,000 capacity venue, they can play a 40,000 seater and it gives the promoter more of a chance of making a profit if they can somehow shift 25-30,000 tickets even if it means a bit of tarping and firesales. The Stones get their guarantee anyway and their tour is underwritten by corporate sponsorship, so its not their problem. Its avicious circle - the Stones ask for so much money to perform that the shows have to be on a massive scale for anyone else BUT the band to make it worth their while.

That problem is magnified even further four or five years later with the world in the middle of a global recession. Even stadium shows are a risk for any promoter when you consider how much the Stones ask for a guarantee and how much they charge for tickets. Its a tough sell in anywhere but the biggest markets - UNLESS of course the Stones and Live Nation (or whoever is representing them) change the way theyve been doing business for the last decade or more and get a reality check.  

Another massive, 2-year trek playing a variety of markets simply doesnt make sense in any way that I can see.

It was reported this week that Live Nation lost millions last quarter amid cancellations and poor tickets sales.
Irving Azoff hopes that this'll convince artists to lower their guarantees to help reduce ticket prices.

Since the Stones were said to have been in negotiations with Live Nation recently, wonder if ol' Irv had the stones to broach that subject...

Gazza wrote on Aug 7^th, 2010 at 8:06pm:

Pdog wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 5:45pm: Gazza wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 4:23pm: Edith Grove wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 3:18pm: Gazza wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 12:37pm: More fucking overpriced enormodome shows it is in 2011-2012 for the Stones, then.....  :( Perhaps, but don't you think there will be some arena shows as well? Maybe, but in general I think it'll be a shorter tour, focussing mainly on stadiums in 'A' markets. Boston, NYC, Chicago, SF, LA, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta.... kinda like that...? Yeah. Thats my personal opinion. The last tour was what, about 147 shows? I cant see them undertaking one as long as that ever again. And they played so many out of the way places they'd never visited before or hadnt gone to in decades that it was as if it was a 'farewell' to many of those cities or a way of putting a pin on as many 'places we've visited' as possible. There's only so much mileage you're going to get playing large scale shows in places like Missoula, Bucharest, Boise and Budva. Originally they had planned to play more arena shows last time than they actually did. The problem was that the Stones' guarantees are so ridiculous, very few local promoters are going to take a gamble on staging a Stones gig in an arena as their own profits arent that high. So, they end up playing stadiums in these cities instead, where instead of playing a 18,000 capacity venue, they can play a 40,000 seater and it gives the promoter more of a chance of making a profit if they can somehow shift 25-30,000 tickets even if it means a bit of tarping and firesales. The Stones get their guarantee anyway and their tour is underwritten by corporate sponsorship, so its not their problem. Its avicious circle - the Stones ask for so much money to perform that the shows have to be on a massive scale for anyone else BUT the band to make it worth their while. That problem is magnified even further four or five years later with the world in the middle of a global recession. Even stadium shows are a risk for any promoter when you consider how much the Stones ask for a guarantee and how much they charge for tickets. Its a tough sell in anywhere but the biggest markets - UNLESS of course the Stones and Live Nation (or whoever is representing them) change the way theyve been doing business for the last decade or more and get a reality check.   Another massive, 2-year trek playing a variety of markets simply doesnt make sense in any way that I can see.

____________________________________

Everything you wrote here is for the most part true and while it all does make sense ...

Somehow every time The Stones manage to out do themselves and surprise us all.  This time however I can't see them doing 150 shows (then again I couldn't see them doing that many last time and it happened.  If it happens again, and they stage an all out enormous tour with tons of shows and do it well I gotta say ...I'll never count them out again....ever... even at 90 years old).

-In 89 nobody was quite sure how it would go and by the time it was all over the tour set a new standard for concerts/touring/promoting.

-94 They said it certainly wouldn't be as big as Steel Wheels yet the tour kept building steam and by the time it was over it was pretty damn close.

-In 97 it was rumored they would play it conservatively being as their was a change in motion with a different type of album coming from them. It was said it would be more sparse tour than the last two. Well yes it was in a sense but they did a stadium tour and followed up with an outrageously high priced arena tour as a cherry on the cake and did very, very well at both.

-In 2002 rumors were flying that The Stones were not physically up to touring as they used to ...then they staged their most multifaceted tour ever and pulled it off with out a hitch.

-In 2005 nobody thought they would stage an all stadium tour and basically .... that's what ABB turned out to be and it became their longest tour ever grossing more than anyone ever has.  

Tell me Gazza, when is it the end of all these enormous tours with creaming the competition? When will finally, ..after all these damn decades ..will it finally be the end of The Rolling Stones on a total grand scale?

I know you deal with facts and logical thinking. That's respectable. However remember, the fact that The Stones are still around or still around at this level in 2010 is in many ways totally illogical.

They usually find new ways of doing things. New ways to pull off a major tour and still make tons of money. In 2005-2008 the economy was already failing and times were getting pretty tough around the globe yet it had no effect on the cash they pulled in or the amount of people who went to see them.

I'm not saying your wrong or your inaccurate with your thoughts. In fact I'd say almost everything you said is right on the money.

I'm just saying it wouldn't surprise me 110% if this was another grand scale tour planned.

Ian

did he just say Gazza deals in logic?

"Tarping" may be the greatest verb ever coined on this board.

"  Live Nation lost millions last quarter amid cancellations and poor tickets sales.
Irving Azoff hopes that this'll convince artists to lower their guarantees to help reduce ticket prices. "


<  ---- Macca is selling out EVERYWHERE !!!!!!!


That is RIGHT Lil' Buddy ( Lil' Fijikins  ... oh , Little Fiji    ... Lil' Fiji )  :

Sunday, August 8th - Air Canada Centre - Toronto, Ont., Canada (PM.com) Ticketmaster SOLD OUT
charge by phone at (416) 870-8000

Monday, August 9th - Air Canada Centre - Toronto, Ont., Canada ON SALE (PM.com) Ticketmaster SOLD OUT charge by phone at (416) 870-8000

Thursday, August 12th - Bell Centre - Montreal, Canada (PM.com) SOLD OUT

Saturday, August 14th - Philadelphia - Wachovia Center American Express (PM.com) Tickets SOLD OUT
Sunday, August 15th - Philadelphia - Wachovia Center ON SALE (PM.com) Tickets ALMOST SOLD OUT

Wednesday, August 18th - Consol Energy Arena - Pittsburgh, PA (PM.com) Ticketmaster SOLD OUT

Thursday, August 19th - Consol Energy Arena - Pittsburgh, PA (PM.com) Ticketmaster SOLD OUT

No more US dates will be added on this leg of the tour. Look for more US dates in the fall... October/November ( Necessary to Win Gross and irritate Jb )  .



www.maccareport.com



Joey Macca ( A New Creation Established Quite Recently )

Not disputing the fact that Macca's tour is doing very well, but the "sold out" claim is often a dubious one.

Got an e-mail the other day noting that "great seats had just been released" for the upcoming Philly shows.
You and 7 friends can get $250 Club Level tickets if you want 'em.

Those shows initially "sold out" in a matter of minutes...

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 8^th, 2010 at 12:27am:

Somehow every time The Stones manage to out do themselves and surprise us all.  This time however I can't see them doing 150 shows (then again I couldn't see them doing that many last time and it happened.  If it happens again, and they stage an all out enormous tour with tons of shows and do it well I gotta say ...I'll never count them out again....ever... even at 90 years old). -In 89 nobody was quite sure how it would go and by the time it was all over the tour set a new standard for concerts/touring/promoting. -94 They said it certainly wouldn't be as big as Steel Wheels yet the tour kept building steam and by the time it was over it was pretty damn close. -In 97 it was rumored they would play it conservatively being as their was a change in motion with a different type of album coming from them. It was said it would be more sparse tour than the last two. Well yes it was in a sense but they did a stadium tour and followed up with an outrageously high priced arena tour as a cherry on the cake and did very, very well at both. -In 2002 rumors were flying that The Stones were not physically up to touring as they used to ...then they staged their most multifaceted tour ever and pulled it off with out a hitch. -In 2005 nobody thoughtht they would stage an all stadium tour and basically .... that's what ABB turned out to be and it became their longest tour ever grossing more than anyone ever has.   Tell me Gazza, when is it the end of all these enormous tours with creaming the competition? When will finally, ..after all these damn decades ..will it finally be the end of The Rolling Stones on a total grand scale? I know you deal with facts and logical thinking. That's respectable. However remember, the fact that The Stones are still around or still around at this level in 2010 is in many ways totally illogical. They usually find new ways of doing things. New ways to pull off a major tour and still make tons of money. In 2005-2008 the economy was already failing and times were getting pretty tough around the globe yet it had no effect on the cash they pulled in or the amount of people who went to see them. I'm not saying your wrong or your inaccurate with your thoughts. In fact I'd say almost everything you said is right on the money. I'm just saying it wouldn't surprise me 110% if this was another grand scale tour planned. Ian

Well, the bits in bold are sweeping generalisations.

I would imagine that another 'grand scale tour' IS planned. They know nothing else and are too slavishly addicted to profit margins and the ego trip of outgrossing everyone else to think otherwise.

Whether it'll be as successful as others have been if they follow the m.o. that previous tours have had is another argument. Will it make them a lot of money? Of course it will. The band cant fail in that regard, when they have sponsors putting tens of millions of dollars up front, promoters guaranteeing them seven figure sums just to show up and when their already substantial earnings are paid into offshore companies which means that they end up paying something like 1% income tax.

The last tour was the most financially successful because of inflation and because it was the first solely large scale tour theyd done since 1999, 1994-95 (BTB included the No Security leg which meant it had a high % of arena shows and the Licks tour had a lot of arena and even theatre shows). The most successful tour of the lot BY ANY BAND remains the Stones' Voodoo Lounge tour.

As for 'outdoing themselves', I'm not sure that they did last time. They made a crazy amount of money, but in terms of attracting fans, ticket sales weren't quite as overwhelming as they had been previously. Thats been a trend since the late 90s and was accentuated on the Bigger Bang tour. The promoters never had to go to such desperate lengths to sell tickets as they did on that tour - 2 for the price of 1, student discounts, tarping venues and then announcing afterwards it was 'sold out' (since when did Soldier Field and Cardinals Stadium have a 30,000 and 40,000 capacity for concerts?)

A lot has changed since 2006 when the Stones last played the US (and 2007 when they last played here). They've also been so visible for the last 20 years that pretty much everyone who has wanted to see them has had the opportunity to do so. The ONLY exception being the type of music fan who has previously been too young to see a Stones concert but who doesnt earn enough for a decent ticket. If they're wanting to increase/maintain their audience that's something they'll have to address. And when you can get a ticket for a 3-day festival with 50 bands for a fraction of a half decent Stones ticket, that problem isnt going to be addressed by adding a 'young, hip' band like the Black Eyed Peas as an opening act and expecting THEIR fan base to pay $500 or $200 to watch them play a 45 minute warm up set in a near empty venue whilst most of the Stones fans are prowling the lobbies debating whether to buy either a Stones halloween mask or a bobble headed doll.

Free Rolling Stones bobble heads with every ticket purchased. That'll pack 'em in. People love the bobble heads. :wtf1

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 8^th, 2010 at 12:27am:

I'm just saying it wouldn't surprise me 110% if this was another grand scale tour planned.

That makes two questions for you to ask Ronnie at his upcoming Butler Institute Of American Art exhibition...

left shoe shuffle wrote on Aug 7^th, 2010 at 8:49pm:

It was reported this week that Live Nation lost millions last quarter amid cancellations and poor tickets sales. Irving Azoff hopes that this'll convince artists to lower their guarantees to help reduce ticket prices. Since the Stones were said to have been in negotiations with Live Nation recently, wonder if ol' Irv had the stones to broach that subject...

And therein lies the big question.

If a would-be promoter says to the Stones something along the lines of "Last time you made a profit of around $300 million - but this time, playing the same amount of shows, we reckon that the most you're likely to make is about $150 million" do the Stones still enjoy playing to the degree where they'll swallow a bit of pride and accept that times have changed and they're only likely to make a mere $150 million of a profit? Or will they just reckon it's not worth the effort?

The last Stones tour grossed $558 million. Thats almost $4 million per show. I dont know what their profit margins were, but for the sake of argument lets say they ended up, after expenses and taxes, with $300 million out of that. Thats still $2 million per show - for two hours work each time they performed.

To get some sense of perspective, we're talking about whether a group of four musicians with a combined wealth estimated at over $1 billion are debating whether they can be bothered to commit themselves to two hours work for maybe 90 - 100 days spread over a period of around a year which may only see them take home $1 million for each day they choose to work.

Decisions, decisions.

Gazza wrote on Aug 8^th, 2010 at 12:19pm:

left shoe shuffle wrote on Aug 7th, 2010 at 8:49pm: It was reported this week that Live Nation lost millions last quarter amid cancellations and poor tickets sales. Irving Azoff hopes that this'll convince artists to lower their guarantees to help reduce ticket prices. Since the Stones were said to have been in negotiations with Live Nation recently, wonder if ol' Irv had the stones to broach that subject... And therein lies the big question. If a would-be promoter says to the Stones something along the lines of "Last time you made a profit of around $300 million - but this time, playing the same amount of shows, we reckon that the most you're likely to make is about $150 million" do the Stones still enjoy playing to the degree where they'll swallow a bit of pride and accept that times have changed and they're only likely to make a mere $150 million of a profit? Or will they just reckon it's not worth the effort? The last Stones tour grossed $558 million. Thats almost $4 million per show. I dont know what their profit margins were, but for the sake of argument lets say they ended up, after expenses and taxes, with $300 million out of that. Thats still $2 million per show - for two hours work each time they performed. To get some sense of perspective, we're talking about whether a group of four musicians with a combined wealth estimated at over $1 billion are debating whether they can be bothered to commit themselves to two hours work for maybe 90 - 100 days spread over a period of around a year which may only see them take home $1 million for each day they choose to work. Decisions, decisions.

Well when you put it like that....Let me rush out and get my tickets right now. :-[

left shoe shuffle wrote on Aug 8^th, 2010 at 11:49am:

Ian Billen wrote on Aug 8th, 2010 at 12:27am: I'm just saying it wouldn't surprise me 110% if this was another grand scale tour planned. That makes two questions for you to ask Ronnie at his upcoming Butler Institute Of American Art exhibition...

________________________________________________

Hah. As you know ya really can't just outwardly ask him about The Stone's future plans because ...it is his "Art Exhibit" and Ronnie will be there to show and discuss his art. Asking a direct question about The Stones be sort of out of place (even though many of the paintings there will show them. He will be wanting want folks to look at, and speak of his art skills versus being asked Rolling Stones questions (....although I am sure I could sneak one or two in without seeming too rudely out of context being as their will be paintings of The Stones right there ...  I could slyly slip one or two in hopefully).

-I called The Butler. Butler members are getting first dibbs. Then everyone who is on the list (including me) will start to finally get invitations.

-It is $200.00!!! per ticket...Yikes. I'd love to go but for cryin out loud... I could go see all four of The Rolling Stones perform live for less than that. I expected forty ....maybe fifty bucks a pop. I would of even stretched to $100.00 But ...$200.00 a ticket to simply get in the door (fuck, and that is not even if I attempted to actually buy a print of one....).

**Lastly ....The lady who I spoke to said he is "supposed" to come but things can change...  :-?

Am I going? I certainly planned on it until I found out what I posted above....however, now I am sort of uncertain. Only if I actually do get The invite ...... will I then "seriously" consider going.


Ian

$200?
Damn.

All the more reason for you to get your money's worth.

Sure it's an art exhibit, but a lot of those paintings are of the Stones.
That gives you entree!

Hang out by this painting. He'll make his way over eventually.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/07/28/arts/mick-keith/mick-keith-blogSpan.jpg


"Hi Ronnie. Great painting of Mick and Keith. You gonna see them in the flesh anytime soon, and start the next recording endeavor?"

BAM! First hundred bucks squared away.

After he replies, hit him with the next one - "Once that's finished, will the next business juncture be the BIGGEST tour ever?" 

BOOM! Done. Two bills well spent.

Well, maybe, depending on his answers....

Shake his hand while you're thanking him.
Not too vigorously, but not the fish hand either.

Then leave muy pronto, and file your report with RO.


Please?

;)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4864928740_22b4da93ef_o.jpg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gazza Wrote in response to my earlier post:

"Well, the bits in bold are sweeping generalisations. "


__________________________________


Often they were. Not always actual fact or hard evidence to back those generalizations, your right.


Ian

New U2 tracks & Bono Interview.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/david-fricke/blogs/DavidFricke_May2010/192590/38726

Gazza is on fire today!  :willya

All I care about is catching a couple of shows and meeting up with many of my Stones-mates again.  :booze

The U2 360 Tour is headed down under. Ticketmaster Australia has launched a tour "home page" of sorts at www.ticketmaster.com.au/U2360. At the moment, the page mentions a Melbourne show at Etihad Stadium and a Perth show at Subiaco Oval, but doesn't give dates for either show. Rumors have been circulating for some time now that the band would play Australia in November/December. We expect that an official announcement of these two shows (and others) will be coming very soon. We'll update this article with the details when that happens.

UPDATE: Everything is now officially official. U2 has announced concerts in five cities beginning in late November and running almost until Christmas:

November 25 - Auckland, NZ at Mt. Smart Stadium
December 01 - Melbourne, AU at Etihad Stadium
December 08 - Brisbane, AU at Suncorp Stadium
December 13 - Sydney, AU at ANZ Stadium
December 18 - Perth, AU at Subiaco Oval

Tickets for all shows go on sale on Friday, September 3rd. We expect additional dates in the above cities to be announced in time. Here are links to some of the media coverage of the tour announcement:

■U2 make a date to rock Sydney
■U2 coming to town
■U2 bring huge tour to Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium
■U2 return to One Tree Hill
■U2 can see Bono for $40
U2 will be featured in an interview Monday night on The 7PM Project in Australia. (thx Graham) And U2 themselves made a short video with some comments from all four band members about taking the tour to New Zealand and Australia. You can watch that below.

U2 has announced that rap star Jay-Z will be the opening act for all of the band's dates later this year in Australia and New Zealand. They've collaborated together before: Jay-Z joined U2 on stage for "Sunday Bloody Sunday" when the band performed in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on November 5, 2009. In this new video (posted by tour promoter Michael Coppel Presents), Bono says U2 has some "interesting ideas" to "do something special" with Jay-Z.

Some Guy wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2010 at 12:19pm:

U2 has announced that rap star Jay-Z will be the opening act for all of the band's dates later this year in Australia and New Zealand. They've collaborated together before: Jay-Z joined U2 on stage for "Sunday Bloody Sunday" when the band performed in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on November 5, 2009. In this new video (posted by tour promoter Michael Coppel Presents), Bono says U2 has some "interesting ideas" to "do something special" with Jay-Z.

What like leaving him over there?..please.........

gimmekeef wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2010 at 12:44pm:

Some Guy wrote on Aug 23rd, 2010 at 12:19pm: U2 has announced that rap star Jay-Z will be the opening act for all of the band's dates later this year in Australia and New Zealand. They've collaborated together before: Jay-Z joined U2 on stage for "Sunday Bloody Sunday" when the band performed in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on November 5, 2009. In this new video (posted by tour promoter Michael Coppel Presents), Bono says U2 has some "interesting ideas" to "do something special" with Jay-Z. What like leaving him over there?..please.........

all net baby!!!

I think about Rap like we thought about disco in 1976, it sucks! now disco looks pretty good compared to Rap.

Australia will get jay z and like it.

We're seeing reports via Twitter that police shut down booths/tables belonging to some of U2's favorite humanitarian groups before tonight's concert in Moscow, and that one volunteer may have been arrested.

This Greenpeace Russia blog post seems to be saying that information tents belonging to Greenpeace, the ONE Campaign, and Amnesty International were closed by police, who said that volunteers "staged a picket" unlawfully (via Google Translate) outside the concert. The post says that Bono has been informed and that U2 is "perplexed" over what happened.

There were articles in Russian media this week saying that 2,100 police officers and Interior Ministry troops would be handling security and, indeed, many of the fan photos being posted from inside the stadium (like the one above right from @kardanik) show security almost everywhere you look.

Update: This story from Gazeta.ru says "several" Amnesty International activists who were holding up signs with humanitarian slogans were detained.


http://www.atu2.com/files/news/21//6302.jpg

re: ANZ tour

November 25 - Auckland, NZ at Mt. Smart Stadium  
December 01 - Melbourne, AU at Etihad Stadium  
December 08 - Brisbane, AU at Suncorp Stadium
December 13 - Sydney, AU at ANZ Stadium
December 18 - Perth, AU at Subiaco Oval


That stage took about 5 -6 days to set up...not much room for additional shows...
maybe at the start/finish of the Aussie leg or an additional NZ show....
I doubt they are sending down more than one stage set up...

JB is rolling in his grave...

Scottfree wrote on Aug 30^th, 2010 at 8:10am:

JB is rolling in his grave...

funny

Paranoid Android wrote on Aug 28^th, 2010 at 6:06pm:

re: ANZ tour November 25 - Auckland, NZ at Mt. Smart Stadium   December 01 - Melbourne, AU at Etihad Stadium   December 08 - Brisbane, AU at Suncorp Stadium December 13 - Sydney, AU at ANZ Stadium December 18 - Perth, AU at Subiaco Oval That stage took about 5 -6 days to set up...not much room for additional shows... maybe at the start/finish of the Aussie leg or an additional NZ show.... I doubt they are sending down more than one stage set up...

Will The King be attending?

Paranoid Android wrote on Aug 28^th, 2010 at 6:06pm:

re: ANZ tour November 25 - Auckland, NZ at Mt. Smart Stadium   December 01 - Melbourne, AU at Etihad Stadium   December 08 - Brisbane, AU at Suncorp Stadium December 13 - Sydney, AU at ANZ Stadium December 18 - Perth, AU at Subiaco Oval That stage took about 5 -6 days to set up...not much room for additional shows... maybe at the start/finish of the Aussie leg or an additional NZ show.... I doubt they are sending down more than one stage set up...

U2 360° TOUR ANNOUNCES SELL OUT PERFORMANCES IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND.
DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND IN PERTH - 2ND SHOW ADDED & SOLD OUT
2ND SHOWS JUST CONFIRMED IN AUCKLAND, MELBOURNE, BRISBANE & SYDNEY.

U2 360° is a hit down under with sell outs announced in both New Zealand and Australia. And now, fans who missed out will have another chance to see U2 360° with 2nd shows now confirmed in Auckland on Friday, November 26th at Mt. Smart Stadium; in Melbourne on Friday, December 3rd at Etihad Stadium; in Brisbane on Thursday, December 9th at Suncorp Stadium and in Sydney on December 14th at ANZ Stadium.

U2 Manager, Paul McGuinness said, “We’re delighted with the reaction of our New Zealand and Australian fans and that we are able to add further dates.”

Nov. 25        Auckland, NZ               Mt. Smart Stadium         SOLD OUT
Nov. 26        Auckland, NZ                Mt. Smart Stadium        On sale Sept. 9th 9am.
Dec. 01        Melbourne, AU             Etihad Stadium              SOLD OUT
Dec. 03        Melbourne, AU             Etihad Stadium              On sale Sept. 10th 9am
Dec. 08        Brisbane, AU                Suncorp Stadium           SOLD OUT
Dec. 09        Brisbane, AU                Suncorp Stadium           On sale Sept. 10th 2pm
Dec. 13        Sydney, AU                   ANZ Stadium                 SOLD OUT
Dec. 14        Sydney, AU                   ANZ Stadium                 On sale Sept. 10th 1pm
Dec. 18        Perth, AU                      Subiaco Oval                 SOLD OUT
Dec. 19        Perth, AU                      Subiaco Oval                 SOLD OUT

Well, I saw U2 live for the first time on Friday and I guess I didn't really get what the fuss is all about. I mean sure, good show and they were professional and they sounded great, blah, blah, blah. But...

- I didn't go nuts for them, it's not like I feel like following them around the globe like the boys or other bands  I love.

- A rock 'n' roll gig is supposed to be about the music, not the supershow. I mean, it's gotten to ridiculous levels. I want to see a stripped rock band, enough with the crazy stadium circuses. And this also goes for some other guys we know  ::)

- So many political messages in that gig, I kept thinking of Keith's quote about rock 'n' roll being music for the neck down. I mean really Bono, really. He's lost all the edge (no pun intended) he used to have in the eighties.

" Nov. 25        Auckland, NZ               Mt. Smart Stadium         SOLD OUT
Nov. 26        Auckland, NZ                Mt. Smart Stadium        On sale Sept. 9th 9am.
Dec. 01        Melbourne, AU             Etihad Stadium              SOLD OUT
Dec. 03        Melbourne, AU             Etihad Stadium              On sale Sept. 10th 9am
Dec. 08        Brisbane, AU                Suncorp Stadium           SOLD OUT
Dec. 09        Brisbane, AU                Suncorp Stadium           On sale Sept. 10th 2pm
Dec. 13        Sydney, AU                   ANZ Stadium                 SOLD OUT
Dec. 14        Sydney, AU                   ANZ Stadium                 On sale Sept. 10th 1pm
Dec. 18        Perth, AU                      Subiaco Oval                 SOLD OUT
Dec. 19        Perth, AU                      Subiaco Oval                 SOLD OUT


Necessary to win gross !!!!!!!!!!

Jeep wrote on Sep 5^th, 2010 at 3:48am:

Paranoid Android wrote on Aug 28th, 2010 at 6:06pm: re: ANZ tour November 25 - Auckland, NZ at Mt. Smart Stadium   December 01 - Melbourne, AU at Etihad Stadium   December 08 - Brisbane, AU at Suncorp Stadium December 13 - Sydney, AU at ANZ Stadium December 18 - Perth, AU at Subiaco Oval That stage took about 5 -6 days to set up...not much room for additional shows... maybe at the start/finish of the Aussie leg or an additional NZ show.... I doubt they are sending down more than one stage set up... U2 360° TOUR ANNOUNCES SELL OUT PERFORMANCES IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND. DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND IN PERTH - 2ND SHOW ADDED & SOLD OUT 2ND SHOWS JUST CONFIRMED IN AUCKLAND, MELBOURNE, BRISBANE & SYDNEY. U2 360° is a hit down under with sell outs announced in both New Zealand and Australia. And now, fans who missed out will have another chance to see U2 360° with 2nd shows now confirmed in Auckland on Friday, November 26th at Mt. Smart Stadium; in Melbourne on Friday, December 3rd at Etihad Stadium; in Brisbane on Thursday, December 9th at Suncorp Stadium and in Sydney on December 14th at ANZ Stadium. U2 Manager, Paul McGuinness said, “We’re delighted with the reaction of our New Zealand and Australian fans and that we are able to add further dates.” Nov. 25        Auckland, NZ               Mt. Smart Stadium         SOLD OUT Nov. 26        Auckland, NZ                Mt. Smart Stadium        On sale Sept. 9th 9am. Dec. 01        Melbourne, AU             Etihad Stadium              SOLD OUT Dec. 03        Melbourne, AU             Etihad Stadium              On sale Sept. 10th 9am Dec. 08        Brisbane, AU                Suncorp Stadium           SOLD OUT Dec. 09        Brisbane, AU                Suncorp Stadium           On sale Sept. 10th 2pm Dec. 13        Sydney, AU                   ANZ Stadium                 SOLD OUT Dec. 14        Sydney, AU                   ANZ Stadium                 On sale Sept. 10th 1pm Dec. 18        Perth, AU                      Subiaco Oval                 SOLD OUT Dec. 19        Perth, AU                      Subiaco Oval                 SOLD OUT

I guess that's why I just dispatch helicopters and not manage Megatours...LOL

Venue: Ataturk Stadium

Opening Act(s): Snow Patrol

Main Set: Return of the Stingray Guitar, Beautiful Day - My Sweet Lord, New Year's Day, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Until The End Of The World, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Pride, In A Little While, Miss Sarajevo, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I'll Go Crazy... (remix) - Discotheque - John I'm Only Dancing, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Get Up Stand Up, Mothers of the Disappeared, Yigidim Aslanim, Walk On - You'll Never Walk Alone

Encore(s): One, Amazing Grace - Where the Streets Have No Name, Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender

Comments: U2 soundchecks Mercy and Mothers Of The Disappeared in the afternoon, but only one makes an appearance during the show. Mothers is dedicated to Fehmi Tosun, who disappeared in Turkey in 1995 and is mentioned on the Pop album notes. Turkish folk singer Zulfu Livaneli comes on stage to sing it with Bono, then sings one of his own songs, Yigidim Aslanim, with Bono. (A fan also sang his own song at a U2 show on Oct. 10, 1992.) Earlier, U2's crew joined Snow Patrol on stage for 'Chasing Cars' - it's the last time Snow Patrol opens for U2 this year. The stadium is reportedly only a little more than half full.

After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, sources say U2 has decided to end their two-year world tour "360" in Pittsburgh.

The venue – Heinz Field on the North Shore.

Heinz Field had been trying to book U2 all along, but until recently the band had no plans of playing here, deciding to end its tour in Minneapolis on July 23, 2011.

But Pittsburgh had a powerful ally – U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and former Steelers chairman Dan Rooney.

Sources say it was Rooney's influence that convinced the band to add one more date to the tour and play right here in Pittsburgh.

Ambassador Rooney flew back from Ireland Wednesday for the Steelers opener, but through a spokesman declined to comment on U2 and the concert negotiations.

Dan Rooney is a fan of U2, has attended their concerts and sources say the band is coming to Pittsburgh at his behest after making a personal appeal to the band's management.

The band is now in the midst of their worldwide tour. Several concerts were pushed back in May when lead singer Bono underwent emergency back surgery, but the band recently returned to the stage.

Barring any last-minute snag, an official announcement on the Heinz Field show will be made in the next few weeks with tickets going on sale for a concert scheduled for July 26, 2011.

It is there they will take the trophy for gross.

Some Guy wrote on Sep 10^th, 2010 at 2:28pm:

After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, sources say U2 has decided to end their two-year world tour "360" in Pittsburgh. The venue – Heinz Field on the North Shore. Heinz Field had been trying to book U2 all along, but until recently the band had no plans of playing here, deciding to end its tour in Minneapolis on July 23, 2011. But Pittsburgh had a powerful ally – U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and former Steelers chairman Dan Rooney. Sources say it was Rooney's influence that convinced the band to add one more date to the tour and play right here in Pittsburgh. Ambassador Rooney flew back from Ireland Wednesday for the Steelers opener, but through a spokesman declined to comment on U2 and the concert negotiations. Dan Rooney is a fan of U2, has attended their concerts and sources say the band is coming to Pittsburgh at his behest after making a personal appeal to the band's management. The band is now in the midst of their worldwide tour. Several concerts were pushed back in May when lead singer Bono underwent emergency back surgery, but the band recently returned to the stage. Barring any last-minute snag, an official announcement on the Heinz Field show will be made in the next few weeks with tickets going on sale for a concert scheduled for July 26, 2011. It is there they will take the trophy for gross.

Well playing Pittsburgh is gross. ....Not as gross as Minneapolis....But close. :Youmakeagrownmancrylikejoey

many things end in pittsburgh...