Tributes, Political Movers, D.C Reviews

A moving night in Washington with tributes to the late Eunice Shriver and Teddy Kennedy and respect going out to political movers and shakers in DC … more than a few of whom seem to be here.

During Beautiful Day Bono remembered ‘the beautiful Eunice Shriver’, describing her as his mentor and it was another special moment when New Years Day was dedicated to Teddy Kennedy. ‘For a peaceful Ireland we salute you Teddy…’ That nearly brought the house down.

In the stadium tonight we spotted Nanci Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives and broadcaster George Stephanopoulos, as well as African leaders like Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director of the World Bank. And in keeping with the DC vibe, Bono restyled the band introducing Larry as the man who wrote U2’s constitution, Adam, the Minister of Culture, Edge, ‘the leader of my free world’ and musing that he himself might be Majority Leader… ‘verbal, elegant but tough when I need to be.’

A kid called Andy arrived on stage at the end of Unforgettable Fire and accepted the invitation to stroll around the stage for City of Blinding Lights. ‘Larry Mullen wants to go crazy, Larry Mullen is crazy…’ sang Bono as the drummer took the djemba for his own nightly walk around the stage, on a track which is without doubt one of the highlights of the show.

Can’t fail to mention The Most Stylish Man in Rock, looking particularly dapper tonight, a sparkly red guitar strap standing out on a very fine new jacket. Set list, as you can see below, got another shake-up. Were you there? Tell us what it was like and post your photos.

Express Packaged a different show

Last nights show had the boys performing in Washington D.C. area ( check the map for details) FedEx Field considered to be one of the largest venues in the U.S. coming in with 80,000 fans. Final numbers not in yet.

If you followed the show on twitter tonight we reported  that this was short set show. Most of the North Ameican show have had 23 songs or better. However last nights show came in at 22 songs. Here’s the rub. During the second leg the band has been wacing goodbye at the end of Walk On and taking the encore break before Tutu’s speach that leads into One. This is a departure from the Euro sets that had no break between Tutu and One.

So quickly what was missing tonight, the title track from the new album. Unknown Call, we would consider Your Blue Room as part of the show. A couple of song location changes.  We will wait to see what U2.com reports on the set. - A full review later in the morning. Videos and Photos posted as we clean them up.

U2 360° Tour arrives FedEx

Today, Tuesday, Sep 29 7:30p

 

The 360° Tour comes on the heels of the February release of ‘No Line on the Horizon’ - the band’s 12th studio album. No Line on the Horizon has been met with critical acclaim and has already reached Gold status in the United States.

Long-time U2 Show Director Willie Williams has worked again with architect Mark Fisher (ZooTV, PopMart, Elevation and Vertigo), to create an innovative 360Ëš design which affords an unobstructed view for the audience. U2 360° also marks the first time a band has toured in stadiums with such a unique and original structure.

Directions:


View Larger Map

  Need to know:

U2 May Be Stuck in Traffic


If you notice extra heavy traffic heading home on the Beltway, Landover Road or Central Avenue on Tuesday night, blame the band. The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at FedEx Field in Landover.

 

The Arena Drive exit from the Capital Beltway is now open full time. But Maryland highway officials say the Route 214 exit (Central Avenue) tends to be less crowded than other exits.

Best Bet: Take Metrorail to and from the Morgan Boulevard Station on the Blue Line. The station is a little less than a mile south of the stadium. Normally, the last train out of there would leave at 11:25 p.m. on a week night, but Metro is going to keep the station open till 1 a.m. to help the post-concert crowd.

Riders will be able to transfer from those extra Blue Line trains to the other lines, but Morgan Boulevard will be the only station admitting passengers after the regular midnight closing time.

Twitter: Yes, the set list and show details to be posted live at the start of the show. Sign up and follow @u2tourfans

Video/Photo Drop: If you want to send us your video or photos we have a drop dox for you. Select the drop box line on the right hand side or click here

Facebook: Sign up to be a FACEBOOK fan and follow the show streams.

Youtube: Videos will be posted within the next 24 hrs.

Private Submit: If you want to submit directly to the website, we have selected a very small number of people. Send us an email at least 3hrs before the show. We will send you an address to email direct to our photo page.

Setlist: We update the setlist real time. You can check back to the site often and follow the updates

FedEx Field Rules, Directions

Good Morning, Its time for another show, it seems days since we have had a show. Tonight live from FedEx Field. Rememmber the rules are simple. Be Cool, Enjoy and whats our motto ? Bring cash !

Check out some new contributions from Redskins sponsors that will make your game-day experience even more fun and exciting:

  • The stadium will be open to all ticket holders 2 hours prior to every game:
    • Bands will play throughout stadium grounds.
    • Hospitality Villages will be created by sponsor partners.
    • Stadium concession services will be open 2 hours before home games and for up to two hours after the games.
  • Owner’s Club, Suite, Loge and Club Members will have access to the Club Level 2 hours before home games and for two hours after the games.
  • For up to two hours after the games:
    • A live band will perform on the Club Patio for Owner’s Club, Suite, Loge and Club Members.

Metro

You can travel to FedExField via public transportation using the Metro rail system. Just take the Blue Line to the Morgan Boulevard Metro Station. The Morgan Boulevard Station is located on Garrett Morgan Boulevard and is within 1-mile walking distance to stadium.

For more information, visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority web site at www.wmata.com.

Parking and Directions

Click here to get parking and direction information or find out about public transportation to the stadium.

Platinum Lots A1, A2; Purple Lots H1, H2; Orange Lot A3; Green Lots A4, B3; Yellow Lots A3, B1

— Exit 16: Arena Drive West
Platinum Lot F1; Purple Lots F2, G1; Orange Lots F2, G2, H3; Green Lots F3; Yellow Lots A3, B1; Red Lots 4, 5, 10

— Exit 17B: Route 202 West, turn left on Brightseat Rd.
Platinum Lot E1, E2; Purple Lot D1; Orange Lots C1, D2, E2; Green Lots D3, E3; Gray Lot E4; Yellow Lots A3, B1; Burgundy Lot D4 

Cash parking is available for preseason games at the Copper Lot, located on Brightseat Road (entrance is off Route 202/Landover Road). Check back in early September 2009 for availability of game day cash parking for the regular season.

For Redskins tickets and parking passes, please contact the Redskins Ticket Office at 301-276-6050.

On game days, all parking lots open four (4) hours prior to kickoff. Stadium gates open two (2) hours prior to kickoff. Parking permits are valid for one reserved space. Park only in your designated space. Permits must be displayed at all times. Failure to comply with parking rules may result in towing at owner’s expense.

RV, limo and bus parking is available on site at FedExField. However, there is no drop-off permitted at FedExField. For advance purchase of RV, limo and bus permits, contact the Redskins Ticket Office at 301-276-6050.—>

The Unforgettable Fire Burns

As we reported a couple of weeks ago, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers U2, fresh from launching the North American leg of their ongoing world tour, will give fans a treat next month with the release of an expanded version of their breakthrough 1984 album “The Unforgettable Fire.” 

Due Oct. 27 from Island/Universal, the re-issue will be available in four configurations, among them a 2-CD edition that contains rarities and B-sides, including the previously unreleased “Disappearing Act” (a.k.a. “White City”), which the band began recording in 1983 with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois.

We have dedicated a section, complete with videos and details on the release. We have also included a link to where you can purchase a copy if you choose. Yes, we wil earn a couple of pennies for the sale in the interest of full disclosure.

U2 CONFERENCE

U2: the Hype and the Feedback, the first academic conference on the world’s biggest band, has posted a complete program schedule of over 40 presentations on a wide range of topics on the music, work and influence of U2. (www.u2conference.com/schedule.php) As U2 take to U.S. stadiums this fall on their 360° tour, a celebration of their big ideas and epic cultural impact will bring together fans from around the world who relate to U2’s plea: “Let me in the sound!”

 U2: the Hype and the Feedback touches down October 2 - 4, 2009 in Durham, North Carolina, on the campus of North Carolina Central University, — the same weekend as a U2 concert in Raleigh.

 “This will be the place to meet and hear people long connected to U2 and to covering their career,” says organizer Scott Calhoun, English professor and a U2 academician. “The whole weekend is for discussing U2, and the 360° tour makes a stop nearby too.” Speakers to date include Rolling Stone contributing editor (and Ph.D) Anthony DeCurtis, the UK’s Telegraph columnist (and schoolmate of the band members) Neil McCormick, Ugandan AIDS activist Agnes Nyamawaro, who has worked with Bono’s ONE Campaign, and Matt McGee, founder of @U2 (www.atu2.com) and author of U2-A Diary. Attendees will also hear from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Curator Jim Henke via video. An international line-up of paper presenters will talk about topics ranging from “U2 and the Politics of Irony” to “Bono Versus Nick Cave on Jesus” and “U2: An Elevated Brand,” as well as other topics addressing U2’s influence in rock history, the entertainment industry, and on humanitarian and social justice initiatives.

 “We know U2’s appeal is without borders and everyone is welcome. Whether you come in tweed or leather, do vinyl or download, you’ll connect with people who want to talk about U2,” Calhoun promises. Host school North Carolina Central University (NCCU) will kick off its centennial celebration this fall. Rich in history, NCCU is the nation’s first state supported liberal arts college founded for African Americans. The late historian John Hope Franklin once taught at NCCU and jazz great Branford Marsalis is currently an artist-in-residence. Located in the Research Triangle, between Raleigh and Chapel Hill, Durham is a vibrant city for education, arts and culture, and was recently named by Forbes as the #3 “Best Place for Business” and by U. S. News & World Report as the #5 “Best Places to Live” in the United States. “Durham has been well-served for a long time by NCCU’s efforts to educate students and the community through the arts and music,” Calhoun said. “In that respect, the institution closely parallels U2’s history which has been to create music that inspires everyone and honors the overlooked, the oppressed and the champions of freedom for all peoples, from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to Central America’s Mothers of the Disappeared, and more recently Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi. We’re thrilled we can bring the conference to Durham and be on their campus for the weekend.”

Register for U2: the Hype and the Feedback at www.U2conference.com

U2 Concert Road Closures Announced

An estimated 55,000 U2 fans will fill Scott Stadium for the band’s concert this Thursday and University of Virginia police are announcing plans to deal with the traffic troubles.

All roads right around the stadium, including Alderman, Emmet, Stadium, and parts of Jefferson Park Avenue, will be closed starting at 5:00 p.m. The university is also working with Albemarle County to direct concert traffic off Interstate 64.

The university was criticized for poor planning and coordination during the Rolling Stones concert held at Scott Stadium in 2005.

Keep up to date as the tour comes to your town. Follow via twitter.com/u2tourfans 

F Bomb and U2 all in 1 night

Did the f-word get dropped on Saturday Night Live tonight? It sure sounded that way. At about 12:42 Eastern Time, during a sketch called “Biker Chick Chat,” new cast member Jenny Slate seemed to say the word that got SNL cast member Charles Rocket in trouble in 1981.

The sketch included host Megan Fox and Kristen Wiig as “biker chicks” along with Slate. All of them were peppering their mock-tough-talk with the phrase “frickin’” but Slate appeared to say, “I f—in’ love you for that” instead.

Seth Meyers could be seen hugging Slate onstage as Fox closed out the show by introducing U2 for a third and final song.

Here’s hoping no punishment is meted out to the new cast member for what was clearly just a slip of the tongue.

Video below. Warning: language:

 

 

U2 performed three songs on air, after a coupe of SNL skits. Once the boadcast was over they did play a fourth song for the studio. This is a mini set list.

  1. Breathe
  2. Moment of Surrender
  3. Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
  4. With or Without You ( Off air)
Twitter conversations suggested that most people where surprised that the band did not play their latest single, Crazy Tonight. Sound checks suggested something different. Crazy Tonight and Angel of Harlem. ( Well the boys switched it up) Ultra was played as the credit rolled.


Credits: Twitter Followers to many to list within this little space