U2 Ready for Chicago !

The boys are ready ! Rested up from their successful euro tour. If your a regular you already know all the details like:

• Designed by Willie Williams (his 10th U2 production)

• Architect is Mark Fisher (his 6th U2 production)

• Built by Belgian company Stageco using high-pressure hydraulic systems.

• Steel structure is 90 feet tall

• Center pylon reaches 150 feet

• Designed to support 180 tons

• Cylindrical video screen weighs 54 tons opening to 14,000 square feet (as big as 2 doubles tennis courts).

• Video screen is made up of 1 million pieces.(500,000 pixels, 320,000 fasteners, 30,000 cables, 150,000 machined pieces).

• Takes four days to build 

• Takes 12 hours to load in screen, stage and universal production equipment

• Takes six hours for production to dismantle stage and 48 hours to dismantle and load it out of the stadium.

And the list goes on and on. Remember we have already posted the story that includes the names of everyone on the crew. So say hello and remember they do it for the love of Rock and Roll. 

The set should last about two hours touching on about 22 to 24 songs. Saturdays show has been sold out, however last word with Live Nation tickets for Sunday’s show are still available. Costs range from $ 30.00 to super sweet $ 250.00 and please don’t forget those service fees. 

Ok for those of you not going to the show. follow on twitter and you will feel like you attended the show. Videos will be posted as soon as possible. Photos will be posted on the album based on city name. *check todays photo adds.  Spend some time looking around the site, we have tons of new features and we keep adding stuff.  Most of all your comments are welcome so please speak up ! 

Drop Box is open from now until Monday night 

Rules on sending us stuff, we do not want any photos, videos, or audio that you did not produce yourself. Do not attempt to scrape from any other U2 FAN site, we know them all and we will check them prior to posting if possible. If we find out your a scammer, sad for you - delete and your IP address will be blocked. NO GAMES period. Sorry we learned our lesson on the Euro tour and the Boss has pressed his size 13 down on our heads. 

(Tribune photo by Abel Uribe / Sept. 11, 2009)

360° Tour kicks off in Chicago

Sound Check last night from Chicago - 

The soundcheck was as follows:

• Bass and guitar soundchecks, including bass of Crazy Tonight and With Or Without You and guitar of Beautiful Day and Where The Streets Have No Name
• Breathe 
• No Line On The Horizon twice, only Edge on vocals
• Get On Your Boots
• Magnificent
• Until The End Of The World
• Stay
• The Unforgettable Fire
• End of Get On Your Boots into first verse of Beautiful Day

Short break

• Your Blue Room (multiple times)
• Unknown Caller
• Elevation
• Unknown Caller again
• Magnificent
• Until The End Of The World

Reporting Credit to: u2gigs, atu2, Interference

Youtube video:  Freeman60605


  

WE REMEMBER

September 11, 2001 was a bright, crisp morning in many regions of the United States, which was shattered when the nation was attacked by terrorists. Americans and friends all over the world remember where they were and what they were doing that fateful Tuesday morning, when the first attack commenced with a plane being flown into the World Trade Center in New York. I was awaiting a flight out to Atlanta watching CNN and gathering up my things for a quick trip up to Atlanta, (a runner) and back in time to catch the Janet Jackson show. I watched as the first plane hit, in shock and amazement. The second plane was live on my TV. I could not move, I was glued to the TV and at that second I realized that I needed to call my family. Check in, 10 hours later I heard that everyone was ok. This was my longest day of my life.

On September 11, 2001 at 8:46 a.m. Eastern time, American Airlines Flight 11 was flown into the north tower of the World Trade Center. At first, many believed the event to be an accident, simple pilot error. The news of the crash preempted many regular programs as cameramen and photographers captured flames, billowing smoke, and sadly, bodies of people who plunged to their deaths rather than remaining trapped in the building. As journalists and everyday people continued filming, snapping photos, and watching the skies, another plane, United Airlines Flight 175, was flown into the south tower at 9:02 a.m. America was clearly under attack.

As a New Yorker this day hit home. I watched the events unfold, I made my calls, I cleared my calendar for the next couple of weeks. Knowing that this was different, this was going to change our lives for ever. Funerals seemed to happen as quickly as the whole event did. One, Two, Three times a day for months a head people headed to funerals to lay their heros to rest. As everyone was running away from the building may brave men and women ran towards and never gave up hope that they would find someone, provide some help. Reflecting back I too am changed. I tend to hung my kids a little tighter each day, I tend to say “I love you” to those I do not see as often. I look for the good in people.  When you talked to most people they will tell you that Bono and the boys really dod something great for New York even more for America.

Following the September 11 attacks, the new album gained added resonance. In October, U2 performed a series of sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In later interviews, Bono and the Edge called these New York City shows among their most memorable and emotional performance. Super Bowl halftime performance by U2.

On a heart-shaped set wheeled onto the field, the Irish superstars turn in highly emotional performances of “Beautiful Day,” “MLK,” and “Where the Streets Have No Name” while the names of September 11 victims scrolled upward on a gigantic backdrop. SI called it the best half time show ever. Bono called it a show for America. “We love America too”

Here is that video the full performance, no commericals, share it, link it and most of all remember.

U2 Chicago is waiting for

Many readers have been asking us as to what are the GA rules, or system for the Soldier Field show this Saturday and Sunday. Well folks we would like to be able to report we have got the facts, however our call to the local office of Live Nation Global Tour got us the standard answer. Are your ready ?

Doors open at 5:00pm Local venue time, Opening act Snow Patrol at 7:00 pm local venue time.

So before you break off a comment ( see below section for comment posting) think about it, why would they tell us prior to the event? It makes no sense to provide concert goers an idea of what to expect for the largest tour of the year. Hell your lucky you even got a ticket !  Ok that was a bit much. My point ? What point, I have been working the phones all day, resources, and for what ? The standard answer which can be found on the back of any ticket. Sad truth, no clue and we will all just have to wait and see. Mean time, flights in to Chicago happen to be cheap right now.

Top Ten things to think about

1. Bring two phones
2. Bring one camera
3. Bring lots of cash
4. Remember send videos/photos to U2tourfans
5. follow and tweet from the show
6. Run as fast as you can to the front of the stage ( so what the gates are metal)
7. Roadies don’t like punters ( don’t be one)
8. Saying I’ll be your boy friend tonight when your a boy, will not score you back stage pass
9. Truck drivers, like you too however the only ride you will get is not inside the cab
10. No matter what anyone happens to say, You know you just saw an amazing show, now share your story

U2 ARRIVES IN AMERICA !

U2’s gear arrived into Network, NJ. Cleared customs and the crew started the transfer on Sunday of all hauling all of the gear out of the sea containers into trucks ( notice the nice red trucks). ROCKIT CARGO ( our guess) over the shoulder the skyline of NYC. The trucks left NJ headed straight to Chicago for this weekends gig. Here are a couple of photos to give you an idea of what the whole process looks like. I see lots of trucks and buses rolling around America ! 

(photos courtesy of Alex Murphy)

Go Crazy in Las Vegas Contest !

Three days and two nights in Las Vegas with hotel, airfare and 360 tour tickets. For you and your guest. Like the sound of it? Prize details below.

Enter the Facebook Fan Link and follow the links -

Grand Prize
1 Grand Prize Winner plus Guest: 3 day, 2 night trip to Las Vegas with Hotel, Airfare, U2 360 Tour Tickets. Digital download of No Line On The Horizon. Free 1 year subscription to U2.com. No Line on the Horizon album T-shirt.

2nd Prize
5 Runner Up Prizes:Digital download of No Line On The Horizon. Free 1 year subscription to U2.com. No Line on the Horizon album T-shirt. 2 U2 360 Tour Tickets in Venue closest to Winner’s Hometown.

This is a U2.com promotion, all contest rules can be found via u2.com

U2: The Hype and The Feedback Kicks off

North Carolina Central University is planning a full academic conference on the subject of U2.

It will host a conference called “U2: The Hype and The Feedback” on October 2nd through 4th.

Topics that will be covered include “Bono Versus Nick Cave on Jesus,” “U2: Identities Covered and Revealed,” and “The Evolving Live Concert Performances of `Bullet the Blue Sky’.”

Speakers include Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone magazine and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Curator Jim Henke. The conference just happens to be taking place just as U2’s tour stops in nearby Raleigh.

We have posted a link to the conference on our links page.

BlackBerry to release U2 Mobile Album on 9/12 (MAYBE)

It’s been several weeks since RIM announced they were sponsoring the U2 360 tour, more importantly their first mobile album. We got word that this is scheduled to be released on the the opening night of their North American tour , which is this coming Saturday, September 12th in Chicago.

In the teaser video it looked like they will also be including some sort of App that will work with the GPS in your Berry to locate the band, your friends and anyone else that has a Berry. Also you’ll be able to share watch videos share images, get news and updates.

Imagine if this mobile album works. I’m sure there is actually a bigger game going on here. Who better to test out a “mobile album” with no other than the biggest band in the world? If it’s successful, could this be the solution for online piracy?