Bono calls stopping Voilence in MX

MEXICO CITY .- The change is evident. U2 did it again, without being immodest and nothing saved. The Irish returned to Mexico amid growing expectation that was overrun with a lavish production that people went crazy in his first of three performances in the capital.

It seems symptomatic of U2. The band looks determined to bring the experience of live performances to another level, because its production requires more than the music, the environment and their own followers.

With Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr., the music loses leading role, but gains bombast, loses its ear, but gains in the sensory field. Should be to understand the power of his songs visual field relies heavily on them, as few have been able to exploit.

The 360 Tour  brought back to the Estadio Azteca, enclosure on his first night failed to record attendance, as only 93 thousand 100 people, according to promoter Ocesa, attended the meeting with the Irish, is four thousand supporters of the mark , which still belongs to Pasadena with 96 thousand fans gathered 

Having been so close to the goal did not discourage or the people or the band, which from its appearance showed signs of greatness. As soon as they saw the silhouettes began screaming. Adam was the first out, shortly after Larry did and after he appeared Bono and The Edge. 

The music began to sound and multiply in the enormous screen at center stage, where Bono commanded a devoted army of followers. To get close, the vocalist used either movable bridges connecting the interior with the external scenario, which was used as a gateway for musicians    

The Edge and Adam traveled the outer circle so that nobody ran out to see them up close. The design of the concert allowed the successes of the past found its place in a fleeting and frenetic show on par with some of the most recent issues of the group. However, as happens in most cases, the nostalgia was the main winner of the night.
   
 “Mysterious Ways” and showed signs of the tone of the evening, while “Elevation” was confirmed shortly before Bono himself will ensure that your scenario was a time machine, one that allowed him to believe that Wednesday night was Day Mother and her birthday.

The Edge continued the joke and began to sing Happy Birthday, which was soon joined by thousands of voices that just accepted the first of many social messages that made use of the band.
“Can we see the same thing? We are able to see the grandeur of Mexico, his generosity and great spirit. We know that no political problem, social or economic that can finish. ” After the message, and the devoted audience, the band dedicated their efforts to the success story.Each new song was greeted with enthusiasm, feeling that the group share from the parquet.Samples were many, as when Bono got into a girl for help with the reading of a poem by Nezahualcoyotl before the rumble “Beautiful Day.”

With “Miss Sarajevo”, “Zooropa” and “City of the Blinding Lights” gave people the sound and visual hypnosis U2.How could it be otherwise, the lead singer of the group returned to his role as social commitment to ask for more support for Amnesty International. After his call, he sang “Walk On” and, together with his companions, left the stage for the first time. A few minutes later they came back even perform “One” and “Where the Streets Have No Name.” “You are great,” said the interpreter before falling again. For the second encore the Europeans returned with “With or Without You”, one of his biggest hits.


Before their final goodbyes, Bono dedicated “Moment of Surrender” to the victims of violence in the country: “You are not alone, Mexico should know that the world is with him, we we are,” before saying goodbye after two hours and 15 minute concert

Politics Avoided In Mexico

U2 in Mexico: a politically correct show

Bono, U2 lead singer, said during the first of three concerts that the group offers in the Mexican capital, that “the generosity and spirituality of a country like Mexico can not be broken by anyone.”


The singer of the famous Irish rock band was positive given the difficult situation facing Mexico violence, noting that “tonight will not talk about negative things.” The above message was delivered by the musician before playing his famous song “I Still Have not Found What I’m Looking For.”

U2 gave the first of three presentations at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, where he seeks to break his own world record in the convening of 300,000 people for three nights as part of his world tour “360.” The show, considered by Billboard magazine “the most profitable tour in history,” the first night called 93,100 people, according to data provided by the promoter Ocesa.

The Irish began their part of the concert after the group’s performance “Snow Patrol” group “headlined” by U2 in most of the current concert tour. First we heard the Mexican traditional song “Cielito Lindo” as background music, to which was followed by the song “Space Odyssey”, by British David Bowie, U2 piece took as their anthem to introduce the dazzling audience Claw “as you know your scenario, which symbolizes a spaceship.

U2 pleased their fans with songs like “Even Better Than the Real Thing” followed by “I Will Follow”, “Get on your Roots”, “Magnificent,” “Mysterious Ways” and “Elevation.” This is the fourth time that the band formed by singer Bono, guitarist The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. steps on Mexican soil, following his previous visits in 1992, 1997 and 2006.

360 ° Tour is the biggest show that the group is to Mexico City and the world, according to data provided by Jay Terry, director of production of the Irish quartet. The tour began in Barcelona on June 30, 2009 and ending on July 30, 2011 in Canada at the Magnetic Hill Music Festival, where the Grammy-winning group “Arcade Fire” will be the opening act for U2.

The second and third presentation of U2 in Mexico will be held next Saturday and Sunday on the same stage, which is expected to bring together 100,000 people each night.

Hola Mexico We Love U

For over 20 years, brought to Mexico U2 Zoo TV, the first major rock tour to walk on our country, and showed us that life could be different. Last night with 360 did it again. Find the updated set list here.

El Cielito lindo warns us that are coming. Come to full light. With serene way, without saying goodbye, go to the tunnel. A minute later, the steps of the Aztec 120.000 sticks and throats roar of satisfaction.

For the second song, “I will follow”, and there seems no doubt: U2 brings more than a huge circular stage and some stunning displays, brings an expressive and musical energy envelope.

Mariana gets on stage and Bono helps to read a poem in Spanish of Nezahualcoyotl. Final repeat several times: “With songs give life on earth.”

Moment of calm. And the screens show an unexpected use: Subtitles.

Bono uses Spanish only to say “Snow Patrol is a band are tough.”
And still in English: “This looks like a space station but is actually a time machine. Today is May 11, is 10th was  my birthday. I think of my mother and the mother of my children has come to be here with us.

“Mexico, hopefully they can see what we do, which is a wonderful country. Her spirit is indomitable. His joy … Tonight we will make the lights brighter. You are the bright lights and this song is for you. And play “With or with out you”. And now the whole song is heard in the stands and not just the chorus.

And in the end, Bono, The Edge, Mullen and Clayton showed in the May show impressive in the world, that all that flashy technology that gives vertigo is meaningless if it does not serve what they can do four musicians drums, bass, guitar and a microphone.

Finally, Bono says: “We want to dedicate this song to all who take a loved one in the violence in Mexico. This is not a problem only in this country, around the world, and we want to know they are not alone, that We are all with you.

¡U2 ya está en México! U2 is in Mexico !

Mexico City-The members of U2 came about 19:00 pm at the hangar area of International Airport of Mexico City yesterday. A source with the group led by Bono Adam Clayton confirmed that while he went to a hotel in Paseo de la Reforma, the other three traveled overland to the Estadio Azteca.

 Clayton made ​​a tour of recognition in the building where he was staying and his companions and then continued the trip to Coloso de Santa Ursula.
 

Having done a sound check at the Estadio Azteca, Bono and Larry Mullen Jr. arrived at the hotel on Paseo de la Reforma where they stay.Aboard two vans and escorted by a pair of mexican police cars, musicians entered the hotel through the back door under a barrage of flashes from the media.

A dozen fans of the group was in the place and screaming, asking artists with a greeting and congratulated Bono, his birthday. Bono simply raised his hand, answered “tomorrow, tomorrow“in Spanish, and disappeared from sight.

 

 
 

 




Rehearsals in Mexico

U2 rehearse in Mexico City, 10/05
Yesterday may have been Bono’s 51st birthday with thousands of birthday wishes Bono was off to work. Rehearsals at Azteco Stadium which officially kicks off the North American leg tonight. Our friends in Mexico that have been on site all week reported that the following songs have been rehearsed A couple of interesting surprises Please and Discotheque was throwen in the mix - while they may not be played as full songs only a snip to be inserted with Crazy Tonight - Only time will tell. What we do know is that Mexico is ready ! Fans have been waiting a couple of years for their return.

  • Magnificent
  • Discothèque riffs
  • Crazy Tonight / Please  
  • Walk On
  • One riffs
  • Zooropa
  • Magnificent
  • Even Better Than The Real Thing

 

Happy Birthday Bono

Singer, activist. Born Paul Hewson on May 10, 1960, in Dublin, Ireland. The son of a Roman Catholic postal worker, Bono’s Protestant mother died when the boy was just 14. He joined the band U2 in October 1976 when he was in high school, and was dubbed “Bono Vox” (good voice). He was made frontman for the Irish rock band though his singing at the time was less compelling than his stage presence.

 U2 began touring almost immediately and released its first album, Boy, in 1980. In 1987, they released The Joshua Tree, their sixth album and the one that catapulted the band — and its outspoken frontman — to stardom.

Subsequent albums secured U2’s reputation for range and innovation, including 1991’s industrial-sounding Achtung Baby, 1993’s funkier-edged Zooropa, and techno-influenced 1997’s Pop.

U2 has returned to its modern rock roots with 2000’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Creating simple, but powerful music, the group scored with such tracks as the soaring “Beautiful Day,” which won the Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of Year. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004) also fared well, both commercially and critically. Its two leading singles, “Vertigo” and “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own,” made strong showings on the charts and won several Grammy Awards.

In March 2009, the band released No Line on the Horizon, which reached the top of the American pop charts. It featured such popular songs as “Get On Your Boots” and “Magnificent.” To support the album, Bono and the rest of the group have been touring extensively.

Throughout U2’s career, Bono has written most of the band’s lyrics, often focusing on untraditional themes like politics and religion. In fact, social activism has always been close to the singer’s heart, and he continues to use his music to raise consciousness with performances at Band Aid, Live 8, and Net Aid, among others. In 2006, U2 joined forces with the punk-influenced band Green Day to record a cover of the Skids’ “The Saints Are Coming” to benefit the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The next year, Bono and the rest of U2 contributed the title track to Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur.

Outside of music, Bono has used his celebrity to generate awareness about many global problems. Over the years, he has met with world leaders and many U.S. politicians to discuss such issues as debt relief for developing countries, world poverty, and AIDS. Bono has lobbied tirelessly on behalf of many causes, including two he helped create. DATA, which stands for Debt AIDS Trade Africa, is dedicated to fighting AIDS and ending poverty in Africa. Started in 2004, One is a nonpartisan campaign to “Make Poverty History” and is supported by more than 100 nonprofit organizations as well as millions of individuals, including many celebrities, such as Ben Affleck, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Brad Pitt.

In 2005, Bono and his wife Ali Hewson established EDUN, a socially responsible clothing line. While it is a for-profit enterprise, its mission is to foster “sustainable employment in developing areas of the world, particularly Africa,” according to its website. That same year, Bono was named one of Time magazine’s Persons of the Year for his charitable work along with Bill and Melinda Gates. Across the Atlantic, Queen Elizabeth II made him an honorary knight of the British Empire in 2007.

Bono and his wife Ali have been married since 1982. They have two daughters, Jordan and Memphis Eve, and two sons, Elijah and John Abraham.

Backstage at U2 Mexico

After last September 21, 2010 were confirmed that U2 was coming to Mexico with his “U2 360 ° Tour”, the expectation of his followers has increased, as one of its attractions is “The Claw” (the claw ) which has been innovating in the production of live shows and which has come to the Azteca Stadium pitch.


“From the Friday, April 29 began to bring campers and some units to be used as dressing rooms for both production and for the band. Also reached a fairly large contingent of trailers, in total will be 90. Three times more than any other concert we have ever had, told El Economista Héctor Raúl Barrios, Director of Operations of the Estadio Azteca in charge of logistics for mounting the production.

Interviewee says that the group had brought more trucks’ N Sync with 52, and in 2001 was the world’s largest production. Now U2 sets record. The 90 trailers loaded everything from “the irons, especially the floor which will build the structure that is shaped like a spider, audio, video, special effects and the need for the event,” said Barrios.

Mounting the stage started after the court was delivered on Sunday 1 May. Be used approximately 5,500 square feet to mount it. “We know that the grass will no longer so ready now 6.500 meters of grass in the nursery. Once we deliver the field on May 17 evening, we will begin restoration work to be ready by July 10 when the final of the FIFA U-17 “details.

In terms of time everything is in order - says-“The American people work from 8 am on Monday, May 2 in the placement of the base of the stage. Then begin to mount the iron bars and then comes what is production: audio and video. Everything will be ready for the soundcheck of 9 and 10 of this month. “

“We have information that the band will be at the Azteca Stadium on 9 and May 10 for testing. But when it comes to Mexico, yes I know, “says the manager of logistics for mounting the production.

TIME OF INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF “THE CLAW”

The assembly kicked off on Monday, May 2, “and must be completed on the 8th. Ready to go 9. The disassembly starts after the event ends on 15 and give us the pitch on day 17 between 9 and 10 pm, ahead of The Economist.

About 250 people are working for the assembly, telling the Mexican staff ICE, the U.S. production and the Estadio Azteca.

Barrios talks for the moment the four parking lots generally used are saturated. In each are being carried out various maneuvers and operations for the event. “As the empty trucks are to leave three to get the space you normally require. General parking has not been touched, nor the shed. “

It has been speculated that members of the group could get to their concerts by helicopter, “that I have not confirmed yet, but we are seeing the area normally used as a heliport, but confirmation of how the band will not yet have 100 % sure “he says.

WHAT IS REQUIRED?

“What we provide at the Azteca are the spaces. Only the band asked us 2,500 square meters. There is parking on the south side which is preparing for a hospital, catering for the group and rest areas. Besides there is the whole backstage area, production, et cetera. “

The Director of Operations ensures that Azteca Stadium holding the event is a great challenge in the history of the stadium had not faced. “We’ve never had such a big event, so heavy and so important as to show respect by removing the part of football. Just as the Azteca stadium can afford them. “

SPACE


Around 18,000 people with tickets to court will be the first to enter the stadium - he explains - and then open the doors for all other people who attend.

“We will have a record entry of 110,000 people in each of the three concerts. No longer be possible to regain this amount of public concerts because we normally do in the stadium are not 360 °. In fact we Luis Miguel, Gloria Estefan, Elton John, Michael Jackson did not address all the back stage. This is unique in that the scenario is almost in the center of the court and you can see around, “says the interviewee.

He noted that some places have set aside in the corners because the spider-shaped stage and each of the legs is not complete visibility. “These places do not take up and people can be assured that if you purchased a ticket is because it will 100% see the show.”

- How long have you been involved in this project?
- “We’ve seen things with people in production since 2009 because we must remember that we have this event since last year but Bono health issues and problems that brought the band was canceled and rescheduled for this year. So it’s almost two years that we are with this project. We hope everything goes well and that May 11 is closed throughout this stage of preparations, “he says.

Héctor Raúl Barrios confirms the existence of which U2 has three stages around the world: “What I’ve heard is that it is. You can not have a single scenario that walks throughout the tour. There are three spiders. Three huge bugs are being assembled in different parts so that when the band gets is all perfectly prepared and able, without any problems, give their concerts. “


ENVIRONMENT FOR CONCERTS


The Azteca official confessed by the pressure is great, but it is a different emotion to make something that has to do with football. “It’s the biggest show in the world. Is equaled to prepare the World Cup or the Pope’s visit. Of that size is for us this emotion. “

But he also says that implies a big commitment as a total for the three nights telling the staff, vendors and employees for the event will be 350.000 spectators, “to which we must give public security, lighting and sanitation. We believe we have the preparation and infrastructure to pull it off. “

“We work shoulder to shoulder with the production and take into account all the recommendations we make and try to resolve it as quickly, professionalism and quality they require. Is the best show in the world today and hopefully I can enjoy, it’s worth coming because it does not come to Mexico every day, “he adds.


IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND


The recommendations are the same as attending a soccer game: you can not enter with weapons, umbrellas, large buckles or packaging. It will give more details on the website and through its www.estadioazteca.com.mx twitter.

“You must come as comfortable as possible because the doors will be open from 3:30 to 4 pm and the show starts until almost 10 pm. Many hours which will run until the end of the event expected to conclude at 12:30 pm, “concludes Héctor Raúl Barrios, Director of Operations of the Estadio Azteca.


THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TOUR OF THE STORY

The “360 ° Tour” which kicked off in Barcelona on June 30, 2009, managed to dethrone The Rolling Stones’s number one who had won four years ago with their “Bigger Bang Tour.”
The most ambitious tour of all time still has 26 shows pending and completed in Canada on July 30, 2011, when estimated to be collected about $ 700 million and will have been seen by more than 7 million people in 30 countries , as announced on 12 April, the concert promoter Live Nation with the Irish band who has a 12-year contract.

The “Bigger Bang Tour” to The Rolling Stones took place from 2005 to 2007 raised $ 554 million in ticket sales.

Madonna, the Queen of Pop, he could not stay without a crown and her “Sticky & Sweet Tour” which took place from August 23, 2008 to September 2, 2009 grossed $ 408 million, becoming an artist’s tour soloist with major gains of all time, surpassing the record that she had established in 2006 with “Confessions Tour,” which grossed $ 194 million.

Mexico Calls it U2 Week !

U2 has three concerts scheduled in the Azteca Stadium from May 11, just one day after the Bono’s birthday. We will be updating the site with tons of great Bono photos and look for you to send your Bono birthday wishes in.

But the high demand for their fans not only reflected in the sale of tickets, but they themselves have become subject to sale items.

The quartet has, on the official website, a section of unique sales for Latin America. But do not just sell shirts, mugs and pins in collection, but also any kind of merchandise related to the activities of the group, and in particular of his vocals. Such is the case of Bono carries rosary in several concerts, sometimes hanging from the microphone.

A copy of this rosary is sold through a website which states that this item is brought directly from Italy. The seller claims it is the same as the singer has revealed itself in four different models including one gold and one of wood.

Or the ticket collection “One Bonodollar” limited edition. This article served to promote the movie The Million Dollar Hotel (2000), which Bono made the music and participated in developing the script. Appears on the ticket face interpreter.

A close relationship

In the past there were many rumors that the band stopped coming to Mexico because of an altercation with the family of a politician. The truth is that despite all, Paul Hewson, Larry Mullen Jr., David Evans (The Edge) and Adam Clayton cherish each one of the visits they make to our country, and in return, among U2 fans have several celebrities.

Matando Cabos producer and Saving Private Perez, Billy Rovzar, says that it is eager to see them again, because it is a staunch fan of the band for several years.

“This week we are naming as U2 week, is sacred! We will be in the three dates and we are excited. I believe that we will see is the most spectacular show from Pop Mart (the tour). I saw them five times already, I was in New York, Los Angeles and Boston, is an amazing concert that neither commanded to do for the Azteca Stadium, “said excited the artist, who is declared ready for a whole week dedicated to the Irish.

Many people speak of the innocence and human quality of Bono, but the producer recalled how he was the last time I lived with Bono. “We were in an incredible living Jaime Camil, we had lunch at his ranch. And to see Bond on TV, listen to your music, it totally changes when you know, human quality blinds you: when you see someone as big as he talk about the weather, the grass, how it behaves when no cameras, is something that leaves you with good taste, “says Rovzar.

Rovzar currently lies within the line producer of the Broadway musical, Spider-Man: Turn off the dark, stage where The Edge and Bono played music history.

“We are partners in Spiderman, he is personally rewriting the music, is also co-producer. Work for things I have not been on the boards has had with others, but hopefully soon be. “

Artist contributions

No doubt fans of the quartet would do anything to see the band because when U2 announced he would attend Monterrey in 2006, some fans traveled by bus for 15 hours to address the technological stage.

A follower of the band spent three thousand dollars in pure marketing, between her sweatshirts, pictures, shirts, mugs and claimed that Bono was all for it.

One night the band arrived at a prestigious hotel on Reforma Avenue in Mexico City and dismounting from the truck carrying them, Bono approached the fans who were outside the building.

The singer told to keep quiet and be with them, but some began to scream and try to get close and then the security team took to the band.

The incident was almost a scandal. The next day Bono took a few pictures with fans who stayed there.