Mayor Bloomberg landing at Meadowlands U2 concert

Helicopter flown by Mayor Bloomberg pilot makes unexpected landing at Meadowlands U2 concert

By James Queally

September 24, 2009, 11:18PM

EAST RUTHERFORD -Famed Irish rock band U2 certainly expected to draw a large crowd for its highly anticipated performance tonight at Giants Stadium, but the show had nothing to do with a helicopter that landed outside before Bono and crew took the stage.

Toby Wilson, a pilot who works for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, landed a chopper in the stadium’s parking lot around 7 p.m., according to State Police Sgt. Stephen Jones.

A New York City official familiar with the situation who requested anonymity said Wilson flew Bloomberg into New Jersey and the mayor was driven to the concert. The pilot, who had never flown to the Meadowlands before, was conducting a test landing, the official said, who added that the helicopter is privately owned by Bloomberg.

Wilson touched down in a shuttle bus parking lot at the sports and entertainment complex, Jones said. After Wilson was approached by several state troopers who were on the scene for the rock concert, he confirmed he was employed by Bloomberg.

No one was injured during the chopper landing, and Bloomberg was not on board.

Air traffic controllers from nearby Teterboro Airport monitored the chopper’s flight path, according to Jones.

Wilson soon left in his helicopter after telling troopers he would not return to the area last night.

The helicopter’s Meadowlands landing was the second unusual aircraft incident in the state this week. On Monday, a pair of F-15 fighter jets escorted a pilot away from Middlesex County airspace when the plane inadvertently entered restricted airspace. The F-15s were patrolling the skies for President Obama, who was making a guest appearance on “Late Show with David Letterman.”

U2 larger than life at Giants Stadium

By Jay Lustig/The Star-Ledger

September 24, 2009, 1:57AM

Editor Note: We removed the set list from this orginal story because we have it posted.

Fall officially began on Tuesday. But U2 kept the summer vibe going on Wednesday, with a stellar Giants Stadium concert on an unseasonably warm night.

It was the biggest concert in the stadium’s history. More than 82,000 tickets were sold, and though an attendance figure was not immediately available, it didn’t look like there were many empty seats.

It also had, probably, the tallest stage set: a towering structure with lights and video screens suspended over the band. The stage could be seen from all sides, which made it possible for tickets to be sold in every seated section of the venue, as well as much of the floor.

A second Giants Stadium show is scheduled for Thursday.

Wednesday’s setlist mixed classics like “New Year’s Day,” “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” “With Or Without You” and “One” with newer hits, tracks from the band’s March album “No Line On the Horizon,” and occasional surprises.

In honor of Bruce Springsteen’s 60th birthday, which the Boss celebrated on Wednesday, the band performed a loose version of his “She’s the One” — with frontman Bono changing the title phrase to “he’s the one” — and segued from it to “Desire,” which has the same Bo Diddley beat. Bono also urged the crowd to sing along, during “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” by saying, “Sing it for the Boss.”

In honor of Quincy Jones, who was in attendance, Bono sang a portion of the Michael Jackson hit “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” (which Jones produced) during “Beautiful Day.”

While the stage was daunting and some of the special effects on the video screens were dazzling, musically it was a no-nonsense show — one great song after another, played with precision and power by four rock masters.

The always outspoken Bono occasionally spoke about political issues, and “Walk On” became a tribute to Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma, who was elected prime minister in 1990, but was prevented from taking power by a military junta, and is currently living under house arrest. At the end of the song, approximately 70 volunteers walked onto the stage, holding photos of her over their faces.

U2 360° Tour: EUROPE 2010

Straight from U2.com

Following the success of the 2009 tour, U2 have confirmed that their acclaimed 360° Tour will continue in 2010. European fans who missed out in 2009 will have a new opportunity to experience the U2 360° Tour extravaganza with stops confirmed in Germany, Denmark, Finland, Russia, Austria, Greece, Turkey, France, Brussels, Spain and Portugal. Having just introduced the U2 Mobile Album, ‘No Line On The Horizon’, the band’s 12th studio album, the 2010 tour will once again be sponsored by BlackBerry.

Additional dates and cities to be confirmed. 

Lots of fan sites have been posting rumors of 3rd leg and possible 4th legs. While this could be possible its just to early to tell. We wil keep you posted. Also check out our tour list for details about the current tour.

Date:                                     Location

10 August 2010:                Commerzbank Arena, Frankfurt, Germany

12 August 2010:                AWD Arena, Hannover, Germany

15 August 2010:                CASA Arena Horsens, Horsens, Denmark

20 August 2010:                Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland

25 August 2010:                Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia

30 August 2010:                Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna, Austria

3 September 2010:          Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece

6 September 2010:          Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey

15 September 2010:        Olympic Stadium, Munich, Germany

18 September 2010:        Stade de France, Paris, France

29 September 2010:        Olympic Stadium, Seville, Spain

2 October 2010:                Estádio Cidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

U2 Giant Show

U2’2 360 Tour pulled into New Jersey tonight (Wednesday) for a two night show with its massive stage, trucks, crew and sound.

U2TOURFANS FILE PHOTO U2 played a refreshingly casual set (see euro set list) taking a 60,000 seat venue and reducing it to a “one love” melting pot of people. It’s hard to view this massive show as intimate until you have attended. Which if you have not had a chance and you’re in the tri state area Thursday night is your last chance to see them this year rumors say expect to see them again 2010 – However that’s rumor right now.

Bono played host, introduced his mates, Adam, Larry and of course The Edge, it seem as if to say he did you know these guys.

The venue considered to be “Bruce’s” home was paid some respect as Bruce Springsteen celebrated his 60^th birthday. Amazing in that Bruce turned 60, I guess we are all getting older. The boys covered “She’s the One’ then moved right into their own classic “Desire.” There was a dedication to Quincy Jones who we are told was in the crowd by blending Michael Jackson’s song “Don’t Stop “Till You Get Enough. This could be considered part of the show. It was mixed into the euro sets often.

Bono has never been to shy for words. Spoke out to the UN which happens to be in town by mixing in “Not right now” into their new song “Get on Your Boots” Comment was “I don’t wanna talk about wars between nations.”

As expected most of the songs came from their 12^th studio album, word is that we can expect lucky 13 to arrive shortly (2010) Most of the fans agreed that the favorites such as “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” on which Bono gladly let the crowd take lead vocals, and “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” which he bookended with salutes to political dissidents in Iran seem to keep the crowd engaged.

The vague space them was centered around some astronauts appearing on the giant wrap around screen.  The boys did make fun of that as Bono cracked a joke “One step for a small man.”

Over all most fans will agree……………………… Well we will let you fill in the blank. Thursday is here

Calling all Giants Stadium Fans

U2 fans going to the concert tonight. We have a special request. We want you to sharpie, pen, or crayon our U2TOURFANS name on anything inside the stadium. Send it to us soon as possible. Your image could be our front page story when we do the morning review. Remember to send it to us via email u2tourfans@gmail.com  Your name and thats all will be needed. The best shot will be posted the rest will make our wall of fame.  Be creative ! Remember you have to be inside the stadium ! Have fun with it. Thanks from The Crew

Tonights show follow on twitter for those you that are not lucky to attend.

We will have the videos posted later, and for those of you that want to send us photos and videos you can use our drop box service.  

Giants Stadium Meets Giants of Rock

About five months and three weeks shy of St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish rock band U2 is set to perform two concerts at Giants Stadium, with a massive stage and blizzard of lights complementing a raw sound that borders on rock ‘n’ roll religion.

U2 is scheduled to perform at the home of the Giants and Jets football teams in northern New Jersey tonight and Thursday. And Hudson Valley fans of the Dublin-based band have plenty to say about this ensemble’s new album, legacy and live performances.

U2TOURFANS File Photo “What I love about U2, besides their incredible musical talent, is the fact that they are rock stars with soul. They’re all high school friends who came together through their love of music. They’re not manufactured by a big music producer, they didn’t answer an ad in the paper, they came together as friends who enjoyed playing music and remain friends to this day.That’s what it means to have soul. They’re family men who realize family (in whatever sense you believe that to be) is more important than money or any of the luxuries that come with it.

“If all the fame and fortune went away, they’d be just as happy - that’s soul.

“They understand their fans are the ones who have gotten them where they are today, not their music. They thank their fans for blessing them with the life they’ve gotten to live - that’s soul.

“They are the only ones who can sell out stadiums across the globe, and can unite thousands of people though music. They know, in those crowds, there are friends and foes. They know if enemies can share one commonality, they could become friends - that’s soul.

Need to Know:

Weather:  Expected Rain tonight ( light )

Parking: No comments or issues on tailgating have been posted

Trains: All trains in and out are expected to be fully loaded

Tickets: Yes you can still get tickets on STUBHUB (We do not endorse)

Directions:
View Larger Map

Camera/Videos:  Remember the band has no offical comment. However you run the risk of some secuirty staffer trying to stop you. Remember if its small its good.

Twitter:  We will along with about 20 other people twitter the show.

 Photos/Videos:  We have a video drop box.

U2's 360 Tour Rolls Forward

Having played two nights in Boston, NYC is on the horizon.

Irish eyes smiled upon the boys from Ireland Monday night as they played their final show in Boston. Their tour moves forward to NYC. 

U2 used Monday night to change up the set a bit starting off with “Magnificent” as the open instead of “Breathe” (Considered to be the first major change of the tour).  Breathe was skipped all together. However “Your Blue Room” and “Stay” “Mofo” and “Stories for Boys” found their way into the show as snippets.

Wednesday night the band hits Giants Stadium for a two-night stand. Will the weather hold up? We will have to wait and see. Expected evening showers on Wednesday and a little rain on Thursday afternoon we will have just to wait and see.

Remember that the boys will be on SNL this weekend with Megan Fox. This should be an amazing short set.

Back to Giant Stadium, we have not heard the rules yet. Nor do we expect to hear anything about tailgating rules. NYC/NJ can handle the crowd. However we will keep you posted.  

Blackberry Bust

A marketing failure ! That’s what someone will call the “Blackberry Loves U2” U2 most likely have been very happy with the sponsorship. Really no extra work done from the band. Consider the video ( apple like) and the commercial shoot. That’s about all we have heard from Blackberry. Sad truth here. The RIM marketing team and the advertising agency have failed ! This was a slam dunk if ever I saw one. The market demo of a blackberry user fits right into the bands audience.  Maybe the program could be simply that the wireless carriers did not want to pony up to the marketing table. In order for this to be a succesful promotion some carrier like AT&T or Verizon needed to be a part of the North American tour. Phones are great, however you need a network. So maybe the truth is in the promotion. RIM may not enjoy the co-marketing dollars it head expected to have for this event. Its a stange promotion for sure. Almost sad.

Boy Genius Report, the author writes about going to see the U2 concert and notes, while BlackBerry may love U2, but “U2 doesn’t love BlackBerry.” He writes: “What’s so unsettling is how disconnected RIM was from the event. Sure, there were a couple banners strewn about Soldier Field, but no one noticed. And the folks that did notice didn’t care. Instead of using this opportunity to push their brand forward, it almost seems like just a second thought to throw some quick marketing dollars to try act like your company is doing something in the consumer and ‘cool’ department.”

Remember last week we had talked about the launch of the new application aimed at U2 Fans well we believed then and now that this surely was a BUST. Fans wanted more. The lack of full tunes, or videos or even something different then you can get from our site. The news, information,videos, and photos left you with a so what feeling. You can get all of that from your fan site. ( ah like U2TOURFANS.com)

Unfortunately, the application can only be considered late given that the tour is more than halfway over, and more likely can be considered a complete bust because it does not feature full-length songs, unlike the name would suggest, “U2 Mobile Album.” In addition, despite BlackBerry being the tour’s official sponsor, there are no tie-ins between the application and the live concerts, which misses a big opportunity for the historically enterprise-focused company to appear more consumer-friendly.

Beyond timing, the application is also missing out what could be a big opportunity. In the online demo, it says new features are coming soon, including the ability to chat with friends at shows and meet other fans from around the world. It makes you wonder, however, if these features will even come out before the tour ends?

Well we will always have this cool video to reflect on what could have been. We tend the think that blackberry will get it right for the second and third legs of the tour. Lets face it the press has been hard on them already.  Enjoy - Story written on my blackberry bold -